Arlington Proposes $30.8M for Tech in FY2026 Budget

Arlington’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 outlines more than $30.8 million in confirmed funding for technology-related operations, platforms and modernization efforts, including investments in permitting system replacements, citywide infrastructure upgrades and court system improvements.

According to the city’s proposed operating budget and business plan, the Information Technology Fund makes up the largest portion of Arlington’s tech spending, totaling $24.3 million. That fund supports the city’s core IT functions including software services, network and server support, IT security and customer service. It also allocates $5.5 million specifically for IT projects.

The budget includes $3.9 million for the replacement of the Planning and Development Services Department’s permitting platform, known as AMANDA (Application, Management and Data Automation). The new permitting solution is expected to be implemented as an enterprise system, with $3.4 million in one-time costs and $488,000 set aside in recurring funding.

Also included in the IT fund are one-time and recurring costs to support a citywide migration to cloud-based voice over Internet protocol. The project is budgeted at $85,000 in implementation costs and $75,000 in new recurring funding for the upgraded phone system.

The budget also outlines $1.3 million in technology projects across departments, including park video surveillance and Wi-Fi upgrades, an electronic inventory management system for the fire department and document storage improvements for human resources.

Outside the IT Department, Arlington’s municipal court system will have access to $556,000 in total technology funds. The court plans to spend about $202,000 on items including software maintenance for Incode, digital recording systems, courtroom audiovisual equipment and training.

The Arlington City Council expects to adopt the budget next month, with a second vote scheduled for Sept. 16.