Stafford County’s Board of Supervisors adopted the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget and tax rates, continuing its commitment to investing in education, public safety, infrastructure, and its workforce while addressing fiscal challenges, according to an April 29 announcement. The new budget will take effect July 1 and sets a real estate tax rate of $0.9675 along with a Fire and Emergency Services levy of $0.014.
The budget aims to balance maintaining essential services with rising operational costs and increased state-mandated obligations. Among these is the continued growth in tax relief for disabled veterans and seniors, which is expected to increase by $12 million next year—a pressure on local revenues that remains unfunded by the state.
“This budget reflects the difficult but necessary balance between meeting the needs of a growing community and navigating significant external pressures,” said County Administrator Bill Ashton. “We are continuing to invest in our schools, public safety and workforce, while also managing rising costs and unfunded mandates like the veteran tax relief program. Our focus remains on responsible stewardship and making strategic decisions that position Stafford County for long-term success.”
Education remains a top priority for Stafford County. The FY2027 Budget includes $15 million in additional funding for three new schools as well as employee compensation increases for school staff. This comes as enrollment continues to rise: Stafford County Public Schools District enrolled 31,700 students during the 2023-24 school year according to Virginia Department of Education data, marking a 1.7% increase from the previous year’s total of 31,160 according to official figures. Brooke Point High School had the highest enrollment among all county schools last year with 2,242 students as reported by Virginia Department of Education.
The demographic breakdown shows white students were the largest group at Stafford County schools during this period—12,332 students or about 38.9%—followed by Hispanic students at approximately one quarter (24.5%) of total enrollment according to state data. At earlier grade levels, Rising Star Early Childhood Education Center at Melchers enrolled more than half (54.5%) of all pre-kindergarteners countywide last year with a total intake of 292 children based on department records, while Rocky Run Elementary School welcomed the largest number of kindergarteners at any single site—148 pupils representing about one in fourteen kindergartners across Stafford’s schools according to enrollment reports.
Beyond education funding increases, key elements in this year’s budget include investments in public safety such as staffing new fire crews at Potomac Fire Station; capital improvements totaling over $110 million; transportation projects worth more than $70 million; utility system upgrades guided by an independent rate study; pay raises for government employees; departmental spending reductions; ongoing planning aligned with Stafford’s Strategic Plan through its Vision for 2040.
The Board said these measures reflect continued commitment toward responsible financial management while preparing for further population growth—and future budgets may see additional adjustments if current trends persist.
