The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has advanced a comprehensive $5.4 billion budget for fiscal year 2027 that includes significant investments in the local government workforce. A central component of this newly structured financial plan is a $28.5 million allocation dedicated specifically to employee compensation increases across various county departments. This targeted funding aims to align public sector salaries with the broader regional market while ensuring the retention of essential service providers. The budget addresses pay scales for law enforcement personnel, emergency responders, and the general administrative workforce.
The current Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is responsible for navigating these complex fiscal allocations and determining the final budgetary priorities. The governing body consists of Chair Phyllis Randall, Vice Chair Koran Saines, Juli Briskman, Sylvia Glass, Caleb Kershner, Matthew Letourneau, Michael Turner, and Kristen Umstattd. These elected officials evaluated the proposed $5.4 billion expenditure plan against projected revenue streams and community needs. Their stated compensation philosophy focuses on delivering average salaries that fall within a range of 100 to 105 percent of the average mid-point of the comparative regional market.
Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Compensation
Under the provisions of the fiscal year 2027 budget, deputies within the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office will receive an average pay raise of 8.75 percent. This substantial compensation enhancement breaks down into a 5.75 percent salary scale adjustment combined with a standard step increase. The upcoming raise continues a multi-year trend of significant salary adjustments for local law enforcement officers in the jurisdiction. Historical budget data indicates that deputies received a 9 percent average increase in fiscal year 2024, a 12.4 percent increase in 2025, and an 8 percent increase in 2026.
Fire and Rescue personnel are also scheduled to see notable adjustments to their compensation packages under the newly outlined financial framework. These emergency responders will receive a 5.5 percent average pay increase, which consists of a 2.5 percent salary scale adjustment and an annual step increase. This specific wage adjustment aligns with the terms negotiated in the collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3756. Such structured increases are designed to maintain operational readiness by minimizing turnover among highly trained emergency medical technicians and firefighters.
General Workforce and Educational Investments
The general county workforce will similarly benefit from the $28.5 million compensation pool through a combination of merit-based and systemic salary adjustments. These employees are slated to receive a 4.25 percent merit increase alongside a 2 percent overarching salary scale adjustment. The general workforce merit increase directly corresponds to the ratified collective bargaining agreement established with the Service Employees International Union Virginia 512. County administrators have emphasized that these structured financial incentives are necessary to keep Loudoun competitive in an increasingly tight regional labor market.
Beyond direct municipal employee compensation, the $5.4 billion budget directs substantial financial resources toward public education and community development initiatives. Loudoun County Public Schools will receive a $105 million increase in local funding, bringing the total operating budget for the educational system to $2.1 billion. The fiscal plan also prioritizes community affordability by allocating $29 million to the local Housing Fund. Furthermore, the budget authorizes the creation of 188 new positions across 18 different departments, a staffing expansion directly tied to the opening of new county facilities.
Tax Rate Adjustments and Fiscal Impact
To fund these extensive municipal investments, the Board of Supervisors carefully evaluated the county tax structure and its subsequent impact on local residents. The real property tax rate will be maintained at the current level of $0.805 per $100 of assessed value. Despite the static tax rate, average homeowner bills are projected to rise by approximately $141 due to the naturally increasing property values throughout the region. This dynamic ensures that county revenues continue to grow to meet the demands of the $5.4 billion budget without requiring a formal rate hike.
In an effort to offset the rising costs associated with real estate assessments, local officials have planned corresponding reductions in personal property taxes. The vehicle personal property tax is scheduled to drop to $3.09 per $100 in 2026, which is expected to save the average owner of a $30,000 vehicle approximately $352. The fiscal framework includes a planned further reduction of this vehicle tax to $2.94 in 2027 to provide additional financial relief to taxpayers. By balancing these targeted tax reductions with competitive employee compensation increases, Loudoun County aims to maintain high-quality public services while managing the financial burden on its expanding population.
Email the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors at:
Phyllis J. Randall (Chair, At-Large) – Phyllis.Randall@loudoun.gov,
Michael R. Turner (Vice Chair, Ashburn District) – Mike.Turner@loudoun.gov,
Juli E. Briskman (Algonkian District) – Juli.Briskman@loudoun.gov,
Sylvia R. Glass (Broad Run District) – Sylvia.Glass@loudoun.gov,
Caleb Kershner (Catoctin District) – caleb.kershner@loudoun.gov,
Matthew F. Letourneau (Dulles District) – Matt.Letourneau@loudoun.gov,
Kristen C. Umstattd (Leesburg District) – Kristen.Umstattd@loudoun.gov,
Laura A. TeKrony (Little River District) – Laura.TeKrony@loudoun.gov,
Koran Saines (Sterling District) – Koran.Saines@loudoun.gov
