Arlington County Board Finalizes FY 2018 Budget Guidance, FY 2016 Budget Close-out

The Arlington County Board on Wednesday, Nov. 9, finalized its Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Guidance to the County Manager, calling on him to build a budget that continues current services within the existing tax rate. The Manager reported that the County’s budget gap could grow from the $5.4 million he projected in October to $7.4 million-$10.4 million, due to Metro’s recently revised cost projections. Metro, is projecting a funding gap of $290 million for FY 2018, due to declining ridership, lower fare revenues and increases in contractual wages and benefits. Arlington’s contribution to Metro could increase $6 million to $9 million from FY 2017 to FY 2018, based on Metro’s revised funding estimates. Continued pressure from Schools funding needs Arlington Public Schools, pressured by increasing enrollment and the corresponding need for more capacity, projects a budget gap of $22 million to $28 million for FY 2018.