Nicole Raz and Heather Curtis
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON (WMAL) — Tuesday marks the beginning of budget talks in Fairfax County. Public schools get a guaranteed boost this year—the question is: Where will that money come from?

There are only two options: The county budget, or a tax hike.

Sharon Bulova, chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, says the Board has already committed to a 3 percent increase to the school budget.

“Whether or not that results in a tax increase, we’ll find out when we know how the County Executive is going to allocate funds,” Bulova told WMAL.

Schools Superintendent Karen Garza is asking for a 4.8 percent increase in funding, which Bulova says would require a tax rate hike of about 6 or 7 cents.

“A 6 or a 7 cent increase would probably result–and I don’t know this for sure yet–in an increase of maybe $500 in the average homeowner’s tax bill annually, maybe more than that,” she said.

Fully funding schools solely from the county budget is not likely.

“Education is our number one priority; but it’s not our only priority,” Bulova said. “That’s a tough ask for us to take cuts out of public safety, human services, park, libraries so that we can fully fund the schools.”

The county will have forums and town meetings throughout all districts and three days of public hearings before the budget is marked up.

“The advertised budget is out there for people’s reaction, hopefully not overreaction, and then in the end the adopted budget will be the product of a lot of work with the community,” she said.

Copyright 2016 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: Fairfax County School Board)