Taxpayers Guide to Fairfax County and Schools Budgets

Both Fairfax County government and the Fairfax County schools have proposed billion-dollar budgets for fiscal year 2012 which begins on July 1.

Both budgets are massive, so here are five things you should know about both. Overshadowing all else: The board of supervisors, in effect, approves both budgets. All the members of the board of supervisors and the school board are up for election in November.

Proposed School board budget:

• $2.2 billion. Almost equals 2010 payroll of the 30 Major League Baseball teams which was $2.7 billion, according to USA TODAY.
• The schools asked the county to give them $50 million more this year than last year so teachers could get a pay raise.
• The budget pays for 196 schools and the nearly 200,000 students who attend them. Enrollment is slowing, but the system is seeing an increased number of poorer children.
• Nearly 75 percent of the schools' money comes from the county government. Most Virginia counties pay about 43 percent of county funds to their schools. Fairfax pays almost double that because of its wealth relative to the state's other counties. For more information on how school money is allotted, from Delegate Dave Albo of the 42nd District.
• 85 percent of the schools' proposed budget goes to teachers. The next largest category: 5 percent for transportation to pay drivers and maintain school  buses.

Proposed Fairfax County Budget:

• $6 billion. Equals Apple's first quarter profit.
•  County Executive Anthony H. Griffin said no to the schools $50 million increase. Budget includes $2.7 million increase for schools. 52 percent of the county's $3.3 billion general fund goes to the county's schools.
• No pay raises for county employees for the third  straight year. This is one of the major differences between the two budgets.
• 75 percent of county funds come from real estate taxes.
• The county budget includes a $30 million surplus. What to do with that money? Griffin made a series of suggestions to the Board of Supervisors. They boil down to: spend it this year to lower the property tax or give pay increases. Or save it for next year when things won't be much better.

County tax rates would remain at $1.09/$100 of assessed valuation. That means if a house is assessed at $800,000 the real estate taxes would be $8,720. A home assessed at $600,000, would have a tax bill of $6,540.

Assessment notices were mailed last week and showed that the value of homes has increased, meaning more taxes will be due even though the rate has stayed the same.

The Board of Supervisors, in effect, approves both the county and the schools budgets since the schools' budget is so dependent on county funds.

What's next: Board of Supervisors holds public hearings on the budget the end of March.

April 26. Supervisors approve the county budget. In effect, they are also approving the schools' budget.

Town hall meetings. County budget officials organize meetings for taxpayers in communities. They explain the budget and taxpayers can ask questions. Patch attended last year and found them very helpful. The town hall meeting for Mount Vernon District was held on Thursday, February 24. Contact Supervisor Hyland's office at 703.780. 7518 for more information.