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| Monthly Newsletter from Chairman Sharon Bulova |
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| Sign up for the Bulova Byline
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| Did You Know? |
Edith Rodgers was the first woman to serve on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Supervisor Rodgers represented the Dranesville District from 1935 - 1940.
Happy Women's History Month!
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| Stay Connected |
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Email
Website
Office
(703) 324-2321
Please contact my office with any comments, questions, concerns or ideas.
I look forward to hearing from you!
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Greetings,
Byline readers should have received my Special Budget Byline outlining the Fiscal Year 2019 Advertised Budget and the remaining steps in the budget process. Inside this March Byline is more information about how you can learn more about the budget and share your thoughts with your District Supervisor, School Board Representative and me.
The County Executive's Advertised (proposed) Budget is based on a tax rate increase of 2.5 cents. The budget funds priorities named by the Board and our community. I am mindful, however, of the impact a tax rate increase can have on our homeowners. Our Board will be spending these next two months reaching out to the community to listen to your comments while also looking for savings and efficiencies that can help address rising tax bills.
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Feb. 20 - County Executive Bryan Hill presenting the Advertised (proposed) FY2019 Budget
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Once the Budget has been formerly adopted on May 1st, our Board of Supervisors will be conducting Phase 2 of a Lines of Business (LOBs) process, which began a year ago.
Phase 1
of this process was largely educational and included a detailed description of each line of business within the various programs and services the County provides. Phase 2 will identify potential re-organizational changes that will help us retain the quality in the services that our community values and relies upon, while making sure taxes remain affordable going forward. I have spoken to County Executive Bryan Hill about some possible ways we can include a community engagement element into this important process. Please stay tuned for more information as LOBs 2 begins early this fall.
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While outreach and deliberations on the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget are on the front burner during the next two months, important progress is underway for one of Fairfax County's highest priorities:
 Today, I posted an Op-Ed to Greater Greater Washington regarding two Metro funding bills in the Virginia General Assembly.
Both Senator Dick Saslaw and Delegate Tim Hugo have sponsored bills that would allocate dedicated funding for Metro and address governance reform. Senator Saslaw's bill would provide $154 million per year (Virginia's share of funding needed under the existing WMATA formula) and more closely addresses the funding needs outlined in COG's adopted principles.
As the 2018 Virginia General Assembly session nears conclusion, our State representatives in the House and Senate are working to finalize an agreement that provides sufficient resources and reforms to deliver on our commitment of maintaining a world class transit system.
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In addition to shoring up older elements of the WMATA system, progress is visible on the
Phase 2 extension of Metro's Silver Line. This impactful project will connect Metro to Dulles International Airport. It will also bring Loudoun County into the WMATA family.
Rail stations are under construction at future stops in Reston, Herndon, Innovation Center, Dulles Airport, Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn. Construction of Silver Line Phase 2 will be completed by the end of next year, with service beginning in early 2020.
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Rendering of future Dulles Airport Metro Station | Photo courtesy of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project
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On the opposite end of the County, community outreach is taking place to revitalize the Richmond Highway (Route 1) Corridor and to introduce Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the corridor. Called
Embark Richmond Highway, these efforts will breathe new vitality into the South County area of Fairfax.
Lots of positive things happening! Thanks so much for keeping up to date on these developments and more in Fairfax County.
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Sincerely,
Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
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| Get Involved with the FY2019 Budget Process |
The Fairfax County Executive recently released his
Advertised (proposed) Budget for Fiscal Year 2019. This draft budget is a recommendation, or starting point, for the community and the Board of Supervisors to comment on and react to. Public comments to the County Budget matter a lot to the Board of Supervisors as we consider what changes should be made to what is being proposed. Amendments are made to the Advertised Budget at our Board Mark-up Session the morning of April 24th. This meeting will be live on Channel 16 and streamed online at
fairfaxcounty.gov/cable.
Here is a list of upcoming Budget Town Hall Meetings where you may offer comments, suggestions and feedback to your local District Supervisor:
fairfaxcounty.gov/budget/fy-2019-budget-town-hall-meetings.
If you would like to testify about the budget in front of the whole Board of Supervisors, Public Hearings will take place at the Fairfax County Government Center on April 10, 11 and 12. You can sign up to speak here:
fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/speakers-form.
What are your thoughts and priorities for the upcoming budget year? Please let me know by emailing me at
[email protected]
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| Measuring Fairfax County's Economic Success |
A close look into each indicator provides a brief description, a correlating performance measure, current data, an interpretation of the data to provide context, and the data source.
Take a look.
To learn more about Fairfax County's economic progress during the past year, check out the Economic Success Strategic Plan
Fall 2017 Update, which includes a detailed Goal Tracker starting on page 37.
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| Follow Land Use Planning and Zoning on Facebook |
Fairfax County's Facebook pages for
Land Use and
Zoning are two great resources for finding information on land development projects in your community.
The process for land development can at times be complex, with many different aspects and issues to consider. For accessible and timely information on the progress of county projects, current trends, and the vision for the future, visit Fairfax County's Land Use Planning Page. The Facebook Page for Zoning in Fairfax County shares information on public hearings, proposals and community surveys as the county considers new projects and prepares to revitalize our zoning ordinance. Together, these pages provide essential information to engage and educate the community on the future land development goals of the county.
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| Job Fairs for High School Students |
Jobs fairs for Fairfax County high school students will be held throughout March and April at six different locations in the County. At these fairs, teens can learn about available opportunities for part-time jobs, internships, volunteering and seasonal work. They can also explore potential career paths after high school. At the Chantilly High job fair, students will also have access to a résumé workshop. Know a student who might be interested in visiting a job fair? If so, please let them know they can register here.
- Woodson High School, Saturday, March 10th, 1 pm to 3 pm
- South County High School, Saturday, March 17th, 1 pm to 3 pm
- Chantilly High School, Saturday, April 7th, 11 am to 1 pm
- Mount Vernon High School, Saturday, April 14th, 11 am to 1 pm
- South Lakes High School, Saturday, April 21st, 11 am to 1 pm
- West Springfield High School, Saturday, April 28th, 12 noon - 2 pm
Businesses and organizations that would like to participate in any of the job fairs may register here.
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| Upcoming Workshops and Free Events Hosted by Consumer Affairs |
Are you wondering how to protect yourself from mail scams or how to report an issue with a business or landlord within Fairfax County? How about what rights you have as a consumer? Fairfax County's
Consumer Affairs, a branch of the County's Department of Cable and Consumer Services, provides assistance in these areas, addresses consumer complaints and promotes the protections of consumers through education and outreach.
March 4-10, 2018 is
Consumer Protection Week in Fairfax County and nationwide. During this week, Consumer Affairs will be hosting free events and workshops across the county to help promote and share with residents their rights as consumers, as well as what resources are available in a consumer's toolbox. Presentations include a wide range of topics, such as mail and lottery scams, building a better credit report, and even how to find unclaimed money that you could be entitled to. A detailed list of the week's events can be found
here.
Consumer Affairs is available Monday-Friday from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm and can be reached at 703-222-8435 (TTY 711) or at
[email protected]
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| Make the Call to Stop Domestic Violence | 703-360-7273 |
 If you or someone you know is experiencing any form of domestic violence, and you want to talk about options and resources available, call the 24-hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline at 703-360-7273 (TTY 711). I
n Fairfax County, domestic violence hotlines ring with m
ore than 240 calls a month. V
ictims are requesting family abuse protective orders and f
amilies are escaping to emergency domestic violence shelters. A
lmost 160 domestic violence arrests are made every month in Fairfax County. E
xperts
believe there are many more in our community who may need help, but are either afraid to call, or don't know where to turn for assistance.
"Make the Call" posters are being displayed in many Fairfax County Connector Buses so that more people in our community can see the number, and know that help is available. More Information.
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| Leadership Fairfax Now Accepting Applications |
Do you want to grow as a leader and deepen your involvement in the local community? Leadership Fairfax offers life and career-changing programs for people at every stage of professional growth and is now accepting applications for the classes of 2018-19. Whether you are just beginning your career or are an established leader, Leadership Fairfax will help you refine your skills and make a positive impact on issues in Fairfax County. The best way to learn more is to attend a complimentary Information Session. Wherever you are on your professional journey, Leadership Fairfax invites you to connect, learn and grow with their incredible alumni, faculty and staff. To view the dates and register for an Information Session, please visit
leadershipfairfax.org/Information-Sessions
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| Frying Pan Park Offers Team Building Opportunities |
Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon hosts full-day, half-day, and a la carte Corporate Team Building Programs to help your staff connect and grow personally and professionally. Develop valuable strategies and tools that translate back into the workplace, and enjoy a refreshing and productive day with your team on a farm! For more information call 703-437-9101 or email [email protected].
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| Fair Housing Award Nominations Due March 16 |
The Fairfax County Human Rights Commission is accepting nominations for the Virginia Peters Memorial Fair Housing Award. Nominees may include an individual, business, or organization in Fairfax County that has supported, promoted and/or advocated for the goals of fair housing opportunities as exemplified by Virginia Peters, a former long-time Fairfax County Human Rights Commissioner and fair housing champion. The deadline for submitting nominations is March 16, 2018.
The nomination form, along with additional information about the award, can be found at fairfaxcounty.gov/humanrights/2018-virginia-peters-memorial-fair-housing-award.
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| How to Recycle Hazardous Waste Materials |
 The Fairfax County Household Hazardous Waste Program accepts hazardous materials from residents free of charge and disposes or recycles them according to all local, state and federal regulations. Household hazardous waste from products such as ammonia, paint thinner, charcoal lighter and oven cleaner cannot be placed in trash and recycling bins like other household products. The same goes for electronics including smart phones, tablets, computers, cables and CFLs/fluorescent light bulbs. Since many of the products we use every day contain chemicals that are potentially hazardous to our health and the environment, improper disposal of these products can harm sanitation workers and contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems. Learn more.
To help protect yourself, our environment, our neighbors and our hardworking sanitation officials, please bring hazardous waste materials to the I-66 Transfer Station on West Ox Road in Fairfax, or the I-95 Landfill Complex on Furnace Road in Lorton. Click
here for more information on drop-off dates and times.
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| The Do's and Don'ts for Mulching Your Trees |
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Improper mulching, also known as volcano mulching, means the mulch is piled up too deep around the trunk of a newly planted tree.
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Trees in the forest are accustomed to having a steady stream of leaf litter on their roots. In urban areas, simulating a natural forest floor around trees through proper mulching makes for healthier and more beautiful trees. Some benefits of mulching include:
- Increased amount of water available to trees;
- Moderate soil temperatures to prevent extreme fluctuations;
- Buffer room between the base of the tree and lawn mowers and other landscape maintenance equipment that can damage the roots or the trunk.
Improper mulching, on the other hand, can be harmful to your trees - especially the common practice of piling mulch up against the trunk like a volcano. Avoid mulching with bark, as this material takes a long time to break down. Instead, use shredded hardwood mulch, composted leaf material or wood chips, which often can be obtained for free from landscape companies or municipal yard waste compost facilities.
Mulch should be a maximum of three to four inches deep and several inches away from the trunks of trees. Spread mulch at least 3 feet around newly planted trees, and/or up to the farthest extent of outer branches on established trees.
Remove and refresh mulch if it begins to clump together and becomes compacted (i.e. has a hard crust on top).
The Urban Forest Management Division staff provides information on tree and forest health throughout the year. More information about trees can be found at
fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/trees. If you have any questions, the
Fairfax County Urban Forest Management Division (UFMD) can be reached at 703-324-1770, TTY 711.
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