December 6, 2022

Friends:


Accountability and transparency aren’t just words—when it comes to your government, they are essential. Due to our commitment to sound fiscal management, Fairfax County has maintained a "triple-Aaa" bond rating for decades (in fact just 49 counties in the U.S. have the top rating from all three rating agencies). While I know it does not always sound exciting, our triple-Aaa rating allows us to accomplish major projects at significant value to County residents.

To finance large-scale construction and renovation work, the County sells bonds which allow us to pay for these projects over time vs. having to use General Fund dollars up front. By maintaining our triple-Aaa rating, our bonds are quickly purchased at very low rates by institutional investors who are happy to invest in Fairfax County due to our strong oversight and management practices. Our triple-Aaa rating has saved taxpayers at least $1 billion in financing costs.


During this week’s meeting, the Board of Supervisors authorized the sale of $350 million in bonds to finance multiple infrastructure works in Fairfax County. Of this amount, $205M will go to the Fairfax County Public Schools for new school construction and renovation.


The County’s $145 million will fund significant projects including $22M for our on-going transportation improvement initiative for roadways and pedestrian and bike/trail construction projects, $30M for the County’s share of Metro’s FY 2023 Capital Improvement Program, $48M for courtroom renovations and the final costs for multiple fire and police station facility construction and renovations, $25M for the Fairfax County Park Authority and $3M for NOVA Parks, and $17 million will be provided for human services and community development facilities that include four shelters and two community centers. This represents a substantial and meaningful investment in our County and its residents.

I recently attended the openings of the Sully and Lorton Community Centers which are remarkable multifunction, multipurpose, multigenerational facilities that allow our residents, including those most underserved, to connect with key services, camps and childcare, recreational opportunities, senior activities, and, just as important, each other.

Cutting the ribbon at Lorton Community Center

These vital neighborhood hubs were funded by bonds and subsequently made affordable by the tremendous work of the Board of Supervisors, the Department of Management and Budget, and the County Executive’s office to maintain our triple-Aaa rating.

Fairfax County infrastructure working for you!

In This Edition

  • Board Meeting Highlights
  • Thank You Supervisor Gross!
  • Access to Youth Mental Health Services
  • Legislative Program
  • Automatic Personal Property Tax Filing
  • Speed Camera Pilot Program
  • Franconia District
  • 2022 Election Report
  • Recognizing Rikki Epstein and The Arc
  • Bunnyman Brewing at Workhouse Arts Center
  • More Holiday Happenings

Board Meeting Highlights

What happened? As expected for the final Board meeting of 2022, today's meeting had a very full agenda. Below are just a few of the highlights.


What if I want to know more? The full broadcast of the meeting, annotated by the agenda, can be found here (usu. within 24 hours): Board of Supervisors Meetings Video Archive

Screenshot of agenda-linked Board broadcast

Thank You Supervisor Gross!

Thank you Supervisor Gross!

What happened? My longtime friend and colleague, Mason Supervisor Penny Gross, announced she would not run for re-election next year. Penny has served admirably on the Board of Supervisors for 27 years. She has been Vice Chair since 2009.


Penny has been a champion of the environment and a passionate advocate for the residents of the Mason district during her tenure. She is also a well-known leader in the region for all of her work that extends beyond Fairfax County.

Penny has skillfully handled some of the most difficult issues of the County during her time on the Board, and has done so with grace, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to public service and to the people of Fairfax County.


While I look forward to following what her next chapter brings, I am also excited about the next year on the Board with Penny and her continued service as Vice Chair. I know we will continue to work together to deliver results for the residents of Fairfax County.

Access to Youth Mental Health Services

What happened? Earlier this year, Supervisor Palchik and I brought forth a Board Matter convening a Roundtable of stakeholders and County staff to chart a path forward in meeting the behavioral health needs of Fairfax County’s youth. The Roundtable shared its results with the Board on Oct. 18th.


What's next? Healthy Minds Fairfax, working with partners from the County, FCPS, and the community, will put together an updated Behavioral Health Plan, focused especially on behavioral health service navigation so that those who need it can find the help they need.


Anything else? The FY 23-25 Opioid Response Plan has a number of provisions relating to youth, and the Board will closely monitor and receive reports on its implementation. The Board will also be adding legislative requests to its annual Legislative Program (see below) to pursue more funding and enhanced programs for increasing capacity and access to mental health services.

Legislative Program

What happened? The Board by a vote of 9-1 officially adopted the County’s 2023 legislative package. Despite excellent work done by so many in our Fairfax County General Assembly delegation, for decades our local programs have suffered from the state's underfunding due to out-of-date formulas and a history of unfunded mandates to localities.


What will the County do about this? This year we have emphasized the need for greatly enhanced resources for education to reflect the true local costs of providing high-quality public education, restore our full allocation of transportation funding, and increase funding for a variety of mental health programs, especially for our young people who are dealing with unprecedented stress and strain.


Anything else? I want to thank Supervisor Walkinshaw for his leadership of the Legislative Committee and his hard work with County staff to create our package.

Write your Virginia state legislator to advocate for Fairfax County!

Automatic Personal Property Tax Filing

What happened? Fairfax County is a hub of innovation, and our local government should reflect the technological advances we see every day. In a Board Matter presented Nov. 1 with Supervisor Palchik, I directed the Department of Taxation to prepare a plan to modernize their processes and systems.


What is being done? One initiative being implemented on January 1, 2023, is the automatic filing of your Fairfax County car registration when you register your vehicle with the Virginia DMV. Previously this was done separately and as a result over half of vehicles moved into the County were registered late. That will now end via a unanimous vote from the Board of Supervisors, saving taxpayers an unnecessary step.


Anything else? We are constantly looking at ways to create a modern, customer-service focused government that meets the challenges of today’s world and anticipates what will need to be done in the future. Look for more initiatives in the weeks and months to come.

Speed Camera Pilot Program

What happened? While Fairfax County is the safest jurisdiction of its size in the United States, pedestrian injuries and fatalities are increasing. As a County we have committed $100 million in new, additional funding over six years to improve pedestrian and bicycle access and safety, but we also recognize it the obligation of drivers to pay attention to their surroundings, put down their phones, and slow down.

It is always imperative to slow down in school zones.

Our new “Take a Moment” campaign is working to bring attention and practical solutions to this problem. Reducing pedestrian accidents is everyone's responsibility.


However, to help change people’s driving habits and behaviors, the Board of Supervisors today voted to implement a pilot program to place speed cameras at selected school and construction zones around the County.


Anything else? I want to be clear--our goal is not to raise revenue. In fact, I would like to see not a single penny come from this program, as that would mean everyone has slowed down at our most vulnerable locations. Over the next several months we will gather data and feedback, and then determine if it this initiative should be rolled out on a wider basis. I firmly believe that this program, combined with our numerous other safety initiatives, will save lives.

Franconia District

Franconia Governmental Center

What happened? The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to formally rename the Lee District as the Franconia District, leaving behind a divisive relic of the past and instead making a

clear statement about our values as a community. I have lived my entire life in the Franconia District and am proud that the new name reflects the richly diverse area it has become.


Fairfax County has already implemented the name change throughout much our correspondence and communication, and you will see a full transition over the coming days and weeks.

 

Anything else? We cannot change our history, but we can decide what in our history is worth celebrating and what is worth learning from. This name change, along with so many other programs we are implementing to promote equity, ensures Fairfax County is a welcoming place to all.

2022 Election Report

What happened? Today the Board received the annual report from the Electoral Board, delivered by Secretary Kate Hanley. Normally this would have been an “easier” year for elections in the County given only one Congressional office and town races just in Herndon on the ballot, but the Office of Elections faced numerous hurdles including decennial redistricting and multiple errors from the Virginia State Board of Elections that resulted in tens of thousands of Fairfax County residents being provided inaccurate information that our Office of Elections had to correct.


How did it go? Fortunately, we are remarkably served by an incredible staff in the Office of Elections led by registrar Eric Spicer. Voter turnout was 55%, comparable to other similar years, with 16 different early voting locations, tens of thousands of mail-in votes and over 3,800 residents taking advantage of same-day registration for the first time. I could not be prouder of the 3,179 full-time, seasonal, and poll workers and our high school pages. This was an incredibly difficult job, and was an extraordinary performance by this team.


And in 2023? Next year will feature 14 different offices up for election on the November ballot including all of the state legislature and every county elected position as well as potential bond approval questions. However, our dedicated staff will be ready.

Thank you to our remarkable Office of Elections staff!

Recognizing Rikki Epstein and The Arc

What happened? Today I presented Rikki Epstein with a resolution recognizing her 11 years at the helm of The Arc of Northern Virginia. Under her leadership, The Arc has forcefully advocated to improve the lives of disabled residents and their families and worked to ensure inclusion and community support.


Rikki transformed and expanded programming to better inform, educate, and serve individuals with development disabilities. We thank her for her remarkable service to the residents of Fairfax County.

Congratulations Rikki and everyone at The Arc of Northern Virginia

Bunnyman Brewing at Workhouse Arts Center

What's happened? An incredible location for arts, performances, classes, and history is about to get even better with the arrival of Bunnyman Brewing! Today via a unanimous vote, the Board authorized the lease of one of the historic Lorton Workhouse Arts Center buildings for the construction of the newest craft brewery in Fairfax County.


When will this happen? By fall of 2023 you should be able to enjoy a cold beverage of your choice on-site, further enhancing the extraordinary offerings of one of the truly remarkable transformations in the country, from a prison facility to a vibrant regional cultural hub. We look forward to toasting to the arrival Bunnyman in just a few short months!

Bunnyman Brewing coming soon to Workhouse Arts Center

More Holiday Happenings

Plenty of time to shop! You still have several days left to shop for the holiday season. I hope you will continue to buy local whenever possible. Below are more markets and events to enjoy this festive time.


Tour Mount Vernon by Candlelight

Take a candlelit journey Dec. 9, 10 or 18 at 5:30pm through George Washington's estate and learn about holiday traditions in 18th-century Virginia. Costumed actors portraying Washington's family, friends, and enslaved or hired staff will share stories of Christmases' past. Discover the dining and hospitality traditions of 18th-century Virginia as you visit the slave quarters, outbuildings, and Washington's Mansion, then enjoy a reception with live music, cider, and cookies. Tickets are required. For more information, please go here.


Mount Vernon High School Holiday Market 

The Mount Vernon High School Holiday Market will feature a wide variety of vendors offering unique gift options perfect for neighbors, family members, co-workers, and anyone else you may be shopping for! This year the annual market will be held on Dec. 10 from 10am-3pm. You can find more information here.


Holiday Makers’ Pop-Up 

The Holiday Makers' Market Pop-Up is a free event that will be hosted at the Woodlawn Press Winery Dec. 10 from 1pm–5pm. The event offers everything from candles to books, games, art, home decor, and Holiday goodies. Attendees can also look forward to enjoying free winery samples as they browse! For more information, please go here!


Milk & Cookies with Santa

The McLean Community Center is hosting their first ever Milk and Cookies with Santa! On Dec. 10 from 10am-12pm you and your family can enjoy a meet and greet with Santa and other holiday characters, cookie decorating, and other snowy crafts. There is a $20 per family entry fee, and for more information please click here.


South Lakes High School Winter Market

Still looking for another opportunity for some holiday shopping? The South Lakes High School Dance Team will be hosting their first annual Winter Market this year! Held at South Lakes High School on Dec. 11 from 11am-3pm, this market will have crafts from many local vendors, door prizes, a photo opportunity with the school mascot, a hot chocolate bar, and a kid’s craft area! Entry to the market is free and more information can be found here.


“The Perfect Christmas List,” a Broadway-Style Holiday Musical

If you’re looking for a great way to get into the holiday spirit, then check out Encore Theatrical Arts Project’s original Broadway-style holiday musical, "The Perfect Christmas List." With over 30 performers, creative choreography, elaborate sets, beautiful costumes, and over 20 musical numbers, this dazzling holiday musical in Annandale is fun for audiences of all ages! For showtimes and information purchasing tickets, please go here.


Know of a great holiday market or event we should put in a future newsletter? Email us at chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov!

Fairfax County's beautiful Mount Vernon by candlelight

Health

Vaccine Resources:



COVID-19 Resources:


  • Fairfax County Health Department
  • To view the number of cases in Fairfax County this page is updated at noon daily.
  • Visit the County site on COVID-19Health Department Website, and see their FAQs.
  • To view multilingual health materials visit the County's Language Portal.
  • Sign up for text message alerts: text FFXCOVID to 888777. Para inscribirse, textear FFXCOVIDESP a 888777.
  • Call the Health Department from 9am-5pm weekdays: 703-267-3511
  • Email: ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8am-8pm.
  • Inova has a helpful FAQ.
Sincerely,
Jeff McKay
Contact my Office

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