Board Votes to Increase Its Salary & Budget Town Hall Tonight (3/22)
Last night I strongly opposed the Board vote (8 to 2) to increase its salary 30% in FY2024. It is outrageous for this Board to even consider raises for itself while it has done nothing to reduce the tax bills of residents or address staffing issues within the County including the police department. This passed, despite overwhelming testimony and feedback from residents that it was not warranted nor deserved. This demonstrates a complete lack of prioritization for both resident affordability and the critical services they need. This salary increase is just one of many examples of out-of-control, “tone deaf” Board spending.
Here are some of the points made by speakers who testified last night:
· A 35-45% increase is far too much for ANY position, public or private sector.
· With the originally proposed increase, the Chairman would have made more than 35 state governors. Supervisors will make more than 16 state governors.
· We have shortages in critical county positions like police, teachers, and solid waste workers but “we have no shortage of politicians.” Board members are more advantaged than many of those workers who also have to find childcare and may work up to 14+ hour shifts.
· Multiple speakers said the timing of the increase is completely “tone-deaf” and the perception among the community is horrible.
· Multiple speakers said they believed the Board should not consider themselves above residents when it comes to the cost of living and making hard choices between family and work.
· Numerous speakers felt current Board salaries are already too high for a part time position.
· The proposed salary increase was not mentioned in most Board members newsletters.
· “If you’re struggling on $95,000 a year, then what about the rest of us who make less than that… Get a side hustle.”
Needless to say, I am disappointed by the Board’s decision. As we work on the FY 2024 Budget, I will continue to push for the Board to address county staffing shortages and reducing the real estate tax rate.
Tonight, March 22nd at 7pm, I’ll be hosting my annual Budget Town Hall to hear from you on what you want to see in the FY 2024 budget and to share my thoughts on prioritizing affordability for residents. We are going to hold this town hall virtually this year to allow more people to participate. Questions can be submitted via email to SpringfieldBOS@fairfaxcounty.gov or on Facebook @Supervisor Herrity in advance of or during the meeting.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BUDGET TOWN HALL:
· Live on Channel 16
· Call 703-324-5300 to listen live and 703-324-1114 ask questions
Fentanyl Is in Our Schools and Neighborhoods; What You Need to Know and Do – Town Hall (3/28)
Heartbreaking stories of drug overdose, particularly of students, are increasingly prevalent throughout the country, Virginia, and here in Fairfax County. Fentanyl-laced drugs are being circulated in our community and most concerningly, in our schools. On Tuesday, March 28th at 7pm, I will be hosting a town hall titled “Fentanyl Is in Our Neighborhoods and Schools, What You Need to Know And Do.” Fentanyl is being put in everything and a small amount can kill. Join me and co-host Springfield District School Board Representative Laura Jane Cohen at Lake Braddock Secondary School along with County and FCPS experts. More information below.
Back in 2016, I hosted an opioid town hall to raise awareness of the dangers of heroin and prescription drug abuse, discuss the steps being taken to address the crisis, and the practical steps that can be taken to reduce the growing epidemic by our citizens and their families. As a result, the County has a robust array of services and programs addressing this public health crisis.
Today, we are seeing a disturbing rise in the circulation of fentanyl, a very powerful, often fatal opioid. Fentanyl-laced drugs are being circulated in our community and most concerningly, in our schools. Even though many lives throughout our county have been saved through the administration of naloxone, our overdose data shows that we need to do more to protect our community.
In a joint effort to educate the community on the dangers of fentanyl, I will be hosting a town hall titled “Fentanyl Is in Our Neighborhoods and Schools, What You Need to Know and Do.” The town hall will be hosted jointly with School Board Member Laura Jane Cohen at Lake Braddock Secondary School on March 28th at 7pm. The town hall will include a panel of County and FCPS experts who will share information about drugs and fentanyl in our schools and resources for help with addiction. In addition, the panel will include people with lived experience of opioid addiction. Attendance is welcome to all, and a question-answer period will follow the panel. At the end of the town hall, attendees will also have the opportunity to receive REVIVE training and a usable dose of lifesaving naloxone.
I strongly encourage you to plan to be there to learn life-saving information from our experts and ask questions. Also please see the section below on the Fairfax County Police Department’s Hidden In Plain Sight program.
Other News and Information
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Hidden in Plain Sight Program
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SHAPE the Future of Aging Plan Comments (By March 23rd)
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CAC Meeting @ West Springfield District Station (April 4th)
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Car Seat Saturday (April 15th)
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Wine, Whiskers, & Wags (May 5th)
