Assessments are hitting the mail and I’m hearing from many of you who are appalled by the continued increases in your real estate tax bills and assessments. The proposed FY 2024 budget has a $520 increase in the tax bill for the average homeowner due to rising assessments, even with a flat tax rate. Keeping this tax increase on the table is completely unacceptable, especially while residents struggle with rising inflation and a looming recession. In Springfield district, the average assessment increase is the highest in the County at 8.27 percent, meaning many areas have increases higher than that.

This significant tax burden on County homeowners and businesses is unacceptable. Unfortunately, rather than decreasing the cost of government, this Board continues to use the increased revenues for spending on new initiatives, use one time money to fund recurring expenses, and refuses to even look for reductions and efficiencies. Last year I could not get a single Board member to second my motion to discuss looking at reductions and ways to be more efficient, which is what many prior Fairfax County Boards have done. I will continue to push for reductions to compensate for the rise in assessments and propose specific reductions as I have done in prior years. I also have a citizens group reviewing the budget for efficiencies and reductions.

I will be hosting my annual Budget Townhall on March 22nd at 7pm on Facebook Live and Channel 16. I also encourage you to contact Chairman McKay’s office and the other Board members by calling or emailing the entire Board at ClerktotheBOS@fairfaxcounty.gov . I am only one vote on the Board and while I agree that we need to reduce the tax burden, my colleagues also need to hear from you. Please see here for more information on how to sign up for the budget public hearings April 11th-13th.”

According to our Department of Tax Administration (DTA), if you believe your real estate is incorrectly assessed, you can file an appeal of your property's assessment. DTA recommends that you first connect with its staff appraisers to discuss your assessment questions. Make an appointment, send an email, or call 703-222-8234 weekdays from 8AM to 4:30PM. If you need general assessment information, you may call the Automated Information System at 703-222-6740 or visit here for more information.

If there are other questions or concerns you would like for me to address, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Soon I’ll be sharing more of my thoughts on the budget as well as results from my community survey asking for your budget priorities. If you haven’t taken the survey yet, you can still do so here.

Free registration for the 2023 Fairfax County Teen Job Fair Series is open for students and employers. For the past six years, my office has been hosting the fairs with cosponsors Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), School Board Member Laura Jane Cohen, Connection Newspapers, as well as local businesses and chambers of commerce. In March, I will be hosting fairs at West Springfield High School (3/11), South County High School (3/18), and Chantilly High School (3/25). See the full fair schedule and additional cosponsors below. 

Saturday, March 11^th

Saturday, March 18^th

Saturday, March 25^th

Students can register here. Student registration is free and open to all teens in Fairfax County looking for employment, volunteer opportunities, or tips on building their resume.

Businesses can register here. Business registration is also free and open to any organization providing positions for students. Free table space and a complimentary table covering will be provided to registered businesses and organizations to advertise their available positions. Participating businesses and organizations must provide positions for students at the fair; soliciting without offering positions is not permitted.

For more information on the fairs, please visit the Teen Job Fair Series webpage or email my office at springfieldbos@fairfaxcounty.gov. I look forward to seeing you there!

Fairfax County DOT staff will present and reaffirm the long-term Comprehensive Plan recommendations previously shared with the public in 2020 for the Fairfax County and Franconia-Springfield Parkways. Recommendations include removal of the previously planned HOV designation on portions of the roads, maintaining the long term plan for the section between 123 and Sydenstricker at six lanes, reducing the eight-lane recommendation between Sydenstricker Road and Rolling Road to six instead, and adding an interim improvement at Burke Centre Parkway which will have a time-restricted southbound left-turn during the AM peak period that will be constructed as part of the VDOT widening project between 29 and 123.

Visit the project page for complete information on all of the recommendations and changes proposed for the comprehensive plan amendments for both roadways.

Both meetings are virtual and are set for March 1^st at noon and March 2^nd at 6:30 p.m. Login credentials are available at the webpage for the meetings.

Attention Hyundai Owners:  In response to increasing thefts targeting Hyundai vehicles, the West Springfield District Station has partnered with Hyundai Motor America to distribute free steering wheel locks to local residents who own, or lease affected Hyundais (2010-2022 models with ‘steel turnkey’ ignition). Anyone who has a push-button start is not impacted. If you bring in the current registration to the front desk for your Hyundai vehicle, we will provide you with a free steering wheel lock.  You may come to the West Springfield District Station (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA) anytime to claim your lock. Wheel locks are being offered on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.  If there are any questions, feel free to reach out to MPO Tony Capizzi at 703-277-2363 or anthony.capizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov 

The Educational Foundation of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts annually offers several $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors for college study. The scholarships support students with an interest in studies related to natural resource conservation and/or environmental studies.

 

The application and all accompanying documents must be received at our office by April 1, 2023. Students submit their scholarship applications to their local soil and water conservation district, as determined by the student’s residence. The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District includes all residents of Fairfax County. Each of Virginia’s 47 conservation districts may choose one student to nominate for consideration by the state committee.

The address for the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is:

VASWCD Scholarship

Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District

12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 905

Fairfax, VA 22035

Applications will be reviewed by evaluation panels and all applications and information contained therein shall remain confidential.

Neighborhood Watch Training on March 6^th

NVSWCD’s Seeding Sale Begins on March 7^th

NVSWCD would greatly appreciate your help in beautifying yards with native plants, promote beneficial habitats, and enhance our native forest. Beginning on March 7, 2023, seedlings can be ordered on our website at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water-conservation/native-seedling-sale

Scout Night at West Springfield District Station on March 14^th

March 11^th 11AM-1:30PM

March 18^th 11AM-1:30PM

March 25^th 1PM-3:30PM

Free Student Registration

Free Business Registration

June 28^th- August 16^th

Blue is here to brighten your day with a big tail wagging hello! This fun loving, energetic pup is looking for an active adopter to be his adventure buddy. He would looovveee to find a running or hiking partner, and he certainly won't turn down an opportunity to play a nice game of tug, fetch, or just run around the yard with you. This big boy is raring for activities that will keep his mind and body active. And then, when all his energy is spent, he loves to cuddle up for a night of cuddling and relaxation. If you would like to meet Blue, click here to arrange a visit.