April 24, 2024

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s FY 2025 budget public hearings, especially those of you who came to share how the budget impacts you personally. There were three themes I heard loud and clear during the public hearings that I want to share with you below:

1.  We need to lower taxes.



• The majority of individuals representing themselves testified that the cost of living is too high already and the tax increases are unsustainable and driving people out of the County. One mother appearing with her infant baby shared that they decided not to have additional children because the cost of living is too high. Others talked about leaving Fairfax County altogether.
• Service providers support keeping the tax rate down. Normally the Board hears primarily from residents that the tax rate should be lower, but this year there were several organizations that typically advocate for additional spending but instead this year advocated keeping the tax rate down because of the impact on those they serve. For the cost burden on residents to impact the advocacy of these organizations, it demonstrates that many residents truly cannot handle a tax increase this year.

2.   Personnel challenges continue impacting County services. 

• Teachers are overworked and underpaid. Several teachers testified at the public hearings that they are overworked and underpaid, which highlights two problems we need to fix: administrative burden and pay. I recently met with the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers who affirmed that the administrative burden on teachers continues to grow, requiring more time without more pay. FCPS needs to evaluate the actual benefit of these administrative tasks, many of which our surrounding jurisdictions are not performing. As I have said in the past, we need to be focusing salary increases on teachers in the classroom, not on administrators. While the Board only approves the lump sum transfer to FCPS, my hope is that the School Board uses its fund-directing authority to prioritize teacher raises, even at the expense of administrator raises.

3. The proposed Animal Services consolidation would take Fairfax County away from the gold standard and should not be part of the FY 2025 budget.

At the public hearings, the Board heard from many wildlife professionals, Animal Protection Police Officers (APPO), community organizations, County government groups and numerous residents regarding the proposed animal services consolidation that would civilianize APPOs and move them under the Animal Shelter rather than the Fairfax County Police Department. The organizations that opposed this consolidation include:

• Fairfax County Employee Advisory Council (EAC)
• Fairfax Workers Coalition (FWC)
• Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC)
• Fairfax County Federation of Citizen Associations
• Mount Vernon Council of Citizen Associations
• Audubon Society
• ReWild Nova

The majority of those who testified were strongly opposed to the proposed consolidation because it:

• Demotes Fairfax County from the gold standard. Right now, we have a unit of APPOs that are specially trained to handle domestic and wildlife cases, with commendations locally, statewide, and internationally. They maintain great relationships with our community and voluntarily work closely with the wildlife rehabilitator community to assist wild animals.
• Fails to address wildlife services in the long term. The proposal includes very little detail regarding the management of wildlife services under the new system. Wildlife management currently falls under the police department, but there is no plan for where it will be long term under the proposed model.
• No details on proposed cost reductions. Staff has stated that the proposed change will result in cost saving but has not provided any detailed cost analysis of what, if any, saving would occur or addressed where costs would increase as a result of the change.

I encourage you to read this article if you want to learn more about this multi-faceted issue. I am concerned that this is a solution in search of a problem. I have not heard a good reason why the County should be making such a drastic change to our animal services when we receive accolades for our current system and there would be negligible cost savings under the proposed model.

This poorly conceived, haphazardly cobbled together change was initially not even going to come before the Board for decision and has been modified numerous times because it did not address numerous concerns. It still has far too much of “we will make sure there is no impact” while being far too short of details.

If you were unable to share your thoughts on the FY 2025 budget, I still encourage you to submit your comments to the entire Board by emailing clerktothebos@fairfaxcounty.gov. The Board will mark up the budget on April 30. As always, I hope to hear from you.

Other News and Information

• Upcoming Shred Events with Community Partners
• Girl Scout Diaper Drive
• MVSCC Scholarship Applications (Due Apr 29^th)
• Outdoor Dining Standards Compliance (By Apr 30^th)
• “Stamp Out Hunger” with ECHO (May 11^th)
• Herralink’s Parade for Skilled Nursing Week (May 15^th)
• Become an Election Officer! (June 18^th)

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.

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)

Girl Scout Diaper Drive

The Girl Scout Unit 52-11 has partnered with the Fairfax County Department of Family Services to collect diapers and baby supplies for families in need across the county. View their running online wishlist via Amazon, which can also be accessed by the QR Code on the flyer below.

MVSCC Scholarship Applications Due by April 29th

Applications are now available for business scholarships provided by Mount Vernon-Springfield Chamber of Commerce. At least one scholarship of $2,000 will be awarded to a senior pursuing further education in business from each public high school in their service area. Additional scholarships may also be awarded depending on the applications received.

Students may apply online at www.mountvernonspringfield.com/business-scholarship-application/. The application deadline is Monday, April 29, 2024.

Here are the scholarship requirements:

• Students must live in Braddock, Franconia, Mount Vernon or Springfield magisterial districts, Fairfax County, Virginia or go to school at one of the high schools in these districts.

• Students must complete a written or online application. All information must be provided for the application to be considered.

• Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit a grade transcript with the application.

• Completed applications must be received by Monday, April 29, 2024.

Outdoor Dining Standards Compliance by April 30th

On February 6, 2024, the Board of Supervisors amended the Zoning Ordinance to allow accessory outdoor dining associated with food establishments, such as restaurants and craft beverage production establishments. Although the new standards became effective on February 7, 2024, a grace period was provided until April 30, 2024, to allow existing outdoor dining areas to come into compliance with the new standards. Restaurants that previously setup outdoor dining under the Uncodified Ordinance adopted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020, would need to come into compliance with the new standards prior to the expiration of the grace period. Any new outdoor dining setup would also need to meet the new standards. 

Key highlights of new standards



Definition: The new definition classifies outdoor dining as an accessory use intended for the consumption of food and beverages served by an adjoining food establishment. All tables, chairs, umbrellas, lighting, and other accessories associated with the outdoor dining must be temporary and removable. This definition and the associated standards do not apply to any permanent structures or enclosures, which are considered part of the principal use and require site plan and building permit approval.

Permitted Zoning Districts: Allows outdoor dining in all zoning districts where a food establishment is permitted as an accessory use, unless expressly prohibited by any applicable proffered condition, development condition, or special permit or special exception approval.

Size: Allows outdoor dining on impervious areas, with a cap of 50 percent of the indoor dining floor area.

Access: Ensures outdoor dining areas do not obstruct emergency egress, ADA accessibility, building entrances/exits, or pedestrian passages.

Permit Requirement: Requires an Administrative Permit for outdoor dining in parking lots, subject to a one-time application fee of $205. All outdoor dining applications must be submitted electronically through the PLUS application portal.

Hours of Operation: Aligns outdoor dining hours with the business hours of the principal use.

Parking: No additional parking requirements for outdoor dining.

Tents: Any tent proposed in the outdoor dining area is required to comply with the Fire Code, which requires that any single tent larger than 900 square feet or multiple tents separated by less than 12 feet and exceeding a combined area larger than 900 square feet obtain a permit from the Office of the Fire Marshal.

For more information, please visit the dedicated Outdoor Dining website. Please contact the Zoning Administration Division at 703-324-1314 with any questions.

"Stamp Out Hunger" with ECHO - Letter Carriers' Food Drive on May 11th

On May 11^th, ECHO is once again asking for the community to participate in the “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive by leaving donations of non-perishable foods next to your mailboxes early that morning. Carriers from the Post Offices will pick up these donations and bring them to ECHO, where they will be sorted and shelved by volunteers.

Due to a decreased number of food drives during the summer, this collection will support ECHO during the leaner months ahead. Some of the items they need are as follows:



• Canned Meat
• Boxed Potato Products
• Instant Coffee
• Dried Beans
• Pancake Mix & Syrup
• & Much More

For a full list of items, go to echo-inc.org.

Herralink's Parade for Skilled Nursing Week on May 15th

Skilled Nursing Week is observed nationally this year from May 12^th through May 18^th. The theme for this year focuses on “Radiant Memories,” honoring the legacy of skilled nursing care centers and the individuals who work and volunteer in these centers each day.

Herralink and the Dulles Health and Rehab Center are partnering to host a community parade to celebrate the week – featuring attractions, food, and more for residents to enjoy. If you are a vendor and/or would like more information, see the flyer below and email herralink@gmail.com. 

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.