Volume 06 | February 26, 2020
It's budget season in Fairfax County. Over my many years with the Board, I sometimes reflect back on how the County has grown and how those changes have affected the budget and the services we offer for our residents.

The budget is drafted as a reflection of County priorities, which are set by your vote in local elections and your comments throughout the year. If there are services and amenities that you use or that are important to you (schools, parks, emergency services, at-home nursing programs), you'll want to make sure to stay engaged and aware of the process. Please stay tuned to our communication channels (including future editions of this newsletter) to stay informed about the process and the important details of this budget.

Key Takeaways:

  1. We invited students from James Madison High School, former Planning Commissioner James Hart, and Fairfax and area emergency response teams to come before the Board for recognition.
  2. The County Executive proposed his budget and strategic plan to the Board.
  3. 150 senior affordable housing units have been financed.
  4. The Board approved a strategy to protect and expand the County's tree canopy.
  5. I announced a working group between the Board and the School Board to discuss capital improvements.

The full agenda is available for your review here .
Presentations
  1. We recognized the James Madison High School Marching Ensemble for its outstanding season and James R. Hart for his years of service on the Planning Commission.
  2. We also had the opportunity to thank the emergency response departments, both inside and outside of Fairfax, who helped control the Route One fire earlier this month. It was one of the largest fires in the history of the County and because of their efforts, there were no fatalities.
Proposed Strategic Plan
What is a Strategic Plan? The strategic plan shapes the future of Fairfax County. It defines nine priority areas, establishes a set of community-centric and quantifiable performance indicators, and a path to success for each priority. It sets the tone for the budget, county goals, and planning efforts within each department.

What are the priority areas ? Cultural and recreational opportunities; economic opportunity; lifelong education and learning; mobility and transportation; safety and security; effective and efficient government; health and environment; empowerment/support for residents facing vulnerability; and housing and neighborhood livability.

Anything else? I have asked the County to facilitate four community meetings on the Strategic Plan to hear your feedback. This input will be used to make adjustments to the final adopted plan.
Proposed Budget
What happened? The County Executive presented his proposal for the FY2021 budget to the Board.

When is the budget final? The final vote on the budget will be May 5.

What's in the proposal?
  • The increase in the general fund's budget is estimated at $159.14 million. This means more funding to specific projects like:
  • Increasing hours at public libraries
  • Police body-warn cameras
  • Reducing the County's carbon footprint
  • Increasing pay for the County's general and uniformed employees
  • The Diversion First program
  • The Real Estate Tax rate is proposed to increase by $0.02 for the County’s General Fund and an additional $0.01 to specifically promote and preserve affordable housing.
  • 52.6% of the budget is allocated to funding FCPS.
  • There is also a proposed 4% admissions tax on events that will help organizations like ARTSFAIRFAX, the Fairfax Symphony, Wolf Trap, and Visit Fairfax produce better culture and arts programming.

What's next? Later this week, the Board of Supervisors will meet with the School Board to discuss both the County Executives and FCPS's budgets and changes we want to consider. Residents will be able to comment in district meetings starting this week through March and during public hearings in April.

Anything else? Please read my full statement on the budget here.
Development of Oakwood Apartments
What was approved? The Board authorized the County to request a loan from an Arlington-based affordable housing non-profit to finance the development of the affordable senior housing facility, Oakwood Apartments.

What has changed? When the Board last talked about this in January, we approved the permitting for the property. Now the projected is funded.

Anything else notable about the project? Yes! Aside from the 150 affordable senior units this building adds to a cost-burdened area, it's near a Metro station allowing seniors continued access to the community and the property will simultaneously manage storm water and water quality.
Tree Action Plan 2019
A tree action plan? In 2006 the Board adopted a 20-year strategy for conserving and managing the county’s urban forest. Since then, much has changed about our understanding of the benefits of trees and the stressors impacting our environment.

What's in the 2019 plan? It updates the tree action plan for more effective implementation and provides a number of recommendations. You can read it on pg. 114 of the Board package .
Other approved items
  • I announced that Supervisors Smith and Foust will represent the Board on a joint working group with the School Board to discuss capital improvements.
  • As Chair of the Transportation Committee, Supervisor Alcorn requested that I send a letter to Paul Wiedefeld, General Manager of WMATA, with our comments regarding the FY 2021 proposed Metro budget. We are expressing our dissatisfaction with changes in Metrobus services, Orange Line services, and fare changes. We were disappointed with many of the elements of the proposed Metro budget.
Sincerely,

Jeffrey C. McKay
Chairman
Contact the Office

chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov | 703.324.2321 |