Fairfax City has been recognized as one of the 10 best small town art scenes in the country! The city placed fourth in USA Today 10BEST's 2026 Reader's Choice Award for Best Small Town Arts Scene.
Nominations were carefully curated by a panel of subject matter experts and USA Today 10BEST editors before being voted on by the public. ArtsFairfax, which represents more than 200 arts organizations in the Fairfax region, promoted the city for the award.
Read the full news story.
Council Reporter for Feb. 24 Meeting and Work Session
 Pictured from left to right: Mayor Catherine Read and City Councilmembers Anthony Amos, Billy Bates, Stacy Hall, Stacey Hardy-Chandler, Rachel McQuillen, and Thomas Peterson.
The city council met on Feb. 24. View the full Council Reporter with linked videos of the discussions. A summary is provided below.
Presentations and Proclamations
- Mayor Catherine Read presented proclamations acknowledging Feb. 23-27 as National Invasive Species Awareness Week, and Feb. 27-March 8 as Winter 2026 Fairfax City Restaurant Week in the City of Fairfax.
- City Manager Dan Alexander presented the proposed FY 2027 budget and FY 2027-31 capital improvement plan. View the slide deck. Share feedback at Engage Fairfax.
Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Advisory Committees
- The city council appointed James Feather as the Planning Commission representative to the Board of Architectural Review, and Nick Tricarichi to the Planning Commission.
Work Session
- Reviewed existing and proposed initiatives to strengthen collaboration between the Police Department and the Human Services and Housing Divisions to prevent crime. Discussed the Police Department’s existing and proposed initiatives to support crime and safety data collection, analysis, monitoring, and reporting. View the slide deck.
- Discussed the Citywide Level of Service Study, which will assess impacts and cost implications of new development on city services and infrastructure. View the slide deck.
- Pre-application briefing for a potential multifamily residential development located at 10340 Democracy Lane. The concept plan proposes to develop a six-story multifamily residential building, structured parking, and open space on 3.2 acres. View the slide deck.
- Pre-application briefing for a potential redevelopment of the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center at 10300 Willard Way. The first phase of the concept plan proposes to develop a six-story mixed-use building, structured and surface parking, open space, and a refacing of the buildings to remain on the site. The second phase of the concept plan proposes a new street network across two parcels, expanded open space, and reorientation of the grocery anchor. View the slide deck.
A city council work session is scheduled for March 3. View the agenda (subject to change). Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday nights in City Hall. Watch meetings live on Channel 12 (COX/Verizon) and online, or catch a replay at 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Visit the city meetings website.
Review the Proposed FY 2027 Budget, Share Feedback
2026 Real Estate Assessments Increase by 5.9% Overall
Assessments, mailed to property owners Feb. 20,
will be used to calculate 2026 real estate taxes
In 2026, Fairfax City’s overall real property tax base increased by 5.9% from the previous year, driven by ongoing market gains in residential and commercial property values, including added value from new construction.
Total assessed value rose by $425.5M, not including an additional $64.2M from new commercial and residential construction. Residential assessments increased by about 4.6%, and commercial/industrial/multi-family assessments increased by less than 1%.
About 96% of residential properties increased in assessed value by 2-10%, and the remainder were equalized or remained unchanged.
2026 average single-family assessments:
- Existing and newly constructed condominiums: $367,000
- Attached single-family homes: $686,800
- Detached single-family homes: $825,700
- Townhomes: $767,200
The city assesses all real property at 100% of fair market value as of Jan. 1 each year, as required by state law. Click here to look up your 2026 real property assessments.
Learn more about real estate assessments.
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Connect with the Commission for Women Over Coffee, Feb. 28
Join the Commission for Women for coffee from 10-11:30 a.m. Feb. 28 at Commonwealth Brewing Company, 10426 Main St.
Meet, chat, and build community with women from across Fairfax City. Enjoy some caffeination and connection with your neighbors in a relaxed, welcoming space.
Little ones welcome.
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Arbor Day Poetry Contest for Students
Calling all Fairfax City students! Submit an original poem on the theme "Protect the Environment Around You" for your chance to win $50 and be invited to recite your poem at the city's Arbor Day celebration.
The deadline to submit an entry is March 8. For contest details and to submit you poem, visit the city website.
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Enjoy "An Afternoon with Mozart" on March 22
The Fairfax Choral Society will present "An Afternoon with Mozart" at 4 p.m. March 22 at Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike.
This special performance will feature Mozart’s Requiem performed by the Society's Symphonic Chorus along with guest musicians and a performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 by pianist Mark Irchai.
The cost is $35/adults (save $10 by preordering); $25/youth (save $5 by preordering); and free for 13 and under. Purchase tickets at fairfaxchoralsociety.org/events.
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