April 10, 2024

On April 16-18^th you will have the opportunity to testify before the Board of Supervisors at the budget public hearings on the FY 2025 budget and the proposed 7 percent tax increase for the average homeowner, including a 4-cent tax rate increase and a roughly 3-cent increase due to rising property assessments. This year’s increase comes on top of a 56 percent increase over the last 10 years. It is very important that residents share feedback with the Board. Below I will share details on how you can sign up to testify via phone, pre-recorded video, or in person.

I have heard from many of you who are concerned about the lack of affordability in Fairfax County, but it’s important that my colleagues on the Board also hear from you. Many of you have shared with me that you are planning to leave Fairfax County because of the tax increases. Census data show that, domestically, more residents are leaving Fairfax County than are coming here. Whether you have had to think about leaving Fairfax County, or you are impacted by the budget in another way, please consider signing up to testify at the budget public hearings.  

To share feedback with the Board, you simply need to sign up and share how the tax rate and FY 2025 budget affect you. You do not need to be a good public speaker or budget expert. In fact, the most powerful testimonies are often the ones where residents come and speak from their personal experience. You can sign up to testify via phone, pre-recorded video, or in person here. Please note that the deadline to submit video testimony is 9 a.m. the Monday morning before the public hearings. In addition, you can send feedback to the entire Board by emailing clerktothebos@fairfaxcounty.gov.



As always, I welcome your feedback and hope to hear from you. If you have any questions or issues signing up for the budget public hearings, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at springfieldbos@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling 703-451-8873. 

Joined the Rotary Club of West Springfield for a discussion of accomplishments, issues and concerns in the County and to help celebrate their 44th anniversary.

Honored to participate in the 33rd annual Northern Virginia Football Hall of Fame dinner recognizing the athletic and academic contributions of players, coaches, administrators, and referees.

Spoke with the Mount Vernon-Springfield Chamber of Commerce on what to expect from the FY 2025 budget and updates on county issues.

Joined the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors for their annual “Politics & Pancakes Breakfast” for a discussion on the national political scene with Margaret Brennan, the moderator of CBS News’ Sunday public affairs program “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”

Another successful Teen Job & Opportunity Fair Series! Thank you to all of the cosponsors. I am looking forward to next year’s series.

Other News and Information

• Transportation Updates: 2024 Paving and Restriping Program Meetings & Repaving Map Now Live
• Upcoming Shred Events with Community Partners
• Springfield Land Use Committee Meeting (April 11th)
• Cornerstones Development Proposal Community Meeting (Apr 16^th)
• Fairfax County and AARP’s Annual Scam Jam (Apr 19^th)
• CSB Priority 1 Waiver Waitlist Information Session (Apr 24^th)
• 2024 Congressional Art Competition (Due Apr 29^th)
• 2024 Run the Greenway Run (May 4^th)
• Become an Election Officer for the June 18th Primaries!
• Four-Legged Friend

Transportation Updates: 2024 Paving and Restriping Program Meetings & Repaving Map Now Live

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will be hosting virtual public meetings to gather comments from residents on their 2024 Paving and Restriping Program. While the addition of more roads is not possible at this time, it is a good opportunity to learn the process and share road maintenance-related feedback. To register and/or submit feedback online, use this link to access available resources.

As a part of the program, VDOT’s 2024 repaving map is now live—see which roads in our communities the state plans to repave this upcoming paving season at: 2024 Statewide Paving Status Map (arcgis.com)  

Upcoming Shred Events with Community Partners

Below is a list of upcoming free document shredding events. If you are hosting a shred event or are aware of more not listed below, please email us at SpringfieldBOS@fairfaxcounty.gov to promote it.

AARP and Fairfax County Scam Jam Shred Event

April 19^th from 9am to 12pm

Fairfax County Government Center

12000 Government Center Pkwy

(Free)

Alpha Beta Alpha, Team 1ntegrity, ECHO Shred & Share Event

Saturday, April 20^th from 11am to 2pm

Kirkwood Presbyterian Church Parking Lot

8336 Carrleigh Pkwy

(Free)

DamonSellsHomes Team Shred Event

April 27^th from 9am to 11am

Little Rocky Run Rec Center 2

6201 Sandstone Way

(Free)

DamonSellsHomes Team Shred Event

April 27^th from 11:30am to 1:30pm

Sequoia Farms Pool

5562 Sequoia Farms Drive

(Free)

Springfield Land Use Committee Meeting on April 11th

On Thursday, April 11^th, the Springfield Land Use Committee is meeting to discuss the following cases:

Workforce Dwelling Unit For-Sale Policy Update

Affordable Housing Development Projects in Fair Lakes - Parkway Woods and Argon Plaza

The Cornerstones Supportive Housing Proposal at the interchange of Route 50 and West Ox Road

A presentation from GMU on the Future of West Campus (Non-Decision)

The meeting will be at the Government Center in Fairfax in Conference Room 4/5, starting at 7:30pm. You can access the agenda here: Springfield District Land Use Committee | Board of Supervisors - Springfield (fairfaxcounty.gov)

Cornerstones Development Project Community Meeting on April 16th

Cornerstones is proposing a plan amendment and rezoning to allow for the development of 34 permanent supportive housing units for low-income individuals. The 1.12-acre subject property is located northwest of the interchange of Route 50 and West Ox Road. While the project is located in the Sully District, it is close to Springfield District communities including Penderbrook and Greenbriar.

A virtual community engagement meeting will be held on April 16^th to discuss the Cornerstones Plan amendment, starting at 7pm. I have multiple concerns with this project. See the flyer below for the link to the meeting.

For more information, you can also go to fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/plan-amendments/cornerstones for materials and details on upcoming meetings.

Fairfax County's and AARP Host Annual Scam Jam on April 19th!

On April 19^th, Fairfax County and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) are once again cohosting the annual Scam Jam, raising awareness of current malicious practices by scammers and bad actors. This year will have increased emphasis on the role of artificial intelligence.

Scam Jam will be held at the Government Center in Fairfax (12000 Government Center Pkwy) from 9am to 12pm. It is important to stay educated to protect yourself and your loved ones. I’d like to thank AARP, FCPD, the FBI, and county staff for working tirelessly to prevent this exploitation and for making this event possible each year.

CSB Priority 1 Waiver Waitlist Information Session on April 24th

Last year, Governor Youngkin announced an additional $300 million towards funding priority one waiver slots for every Virginian with a developmental disability on the waitlist. As the process moves forward, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board will keep individuals and stakeholders updated on the rollout plan. To learn more about the DD waiver process, consider attending the community information session on April 24^th from 5pm to 7pm. Details are on the flyer below.

2024 Congressional Art Competition Due by April 29th

Congressman Connolly and the 11^th Congressional District office are hosting their 2024 Congressional Art Competition. This competition offers students a chance to highlight their artistic talents and be a part of a professional gallery show at the Workhouse Arts Center. All entries will be displayed at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia. The display will be up from May 4, 2024, to May 19, 2024. We will be holding our Congressional Art Competition Reception in person this year at the Workhouse Arts Center on Sunday, May 19 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.

For more information, see here. 

2024 Run the Greenway Fun Run Returns on May 4th

Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is partnering with the Dulles Greenway for their charity “Run the Greenway” event. CASA raised almost $80,000 through this opportunity last year and now, their target goal is $100,000. To register for the event, use this link and choose FAIRFAX CASA as the charity you are running for.

Fairfax CASA provides a crucial service to Fairfax County’s most vulnerable children and families. Volunteer advocates from the community provided over $750,000 in donated time and services in FY23. They experienced a 138% increase in cases referred by the Court and served more children (367) last year than they have in ten years. CASA is on track to serve even more this year. 

Become an Election Officer for the June 18^th Primaries!

The Fairfax County Office of Elections is looking for community members to serve as election officers for the June 18, 2024 election.

In particular, bilingual officers who speak Korean and Vietnamese are needed. This is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbors and help your community! You will receive $250 as a thank you for your service.



Learn more and apply at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/officers/new-officers.