Volume 09 | March 25, 2020
Yesterday the Board met with an altered agenda. We voted on Administrative and Action Items, but did not include presentations and Board Matters in this meeting. We also deferred all public hearings except for two that required immediate action. T o accommodate social distancing, we met in a different conference room in the Government Center. After almost 13 years on the Board, it was surreal to not be in the Board auditorium and to have staff scattered down the hall to watch from other rooms.

As I always do with my overviews of the Board Meeting, I will detail what was approved yesterday, so you are best informed about what is happening in Fairfax County. I will still be sending out a newsletter tonight with County updates on COVID-19. Yesterday's email overview is here and the link to my website with County updates and resources is here .

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Board adopted an electronic communication policy.
  2. The Board extended deadlines for Personal Property Taxes and Real Estate Taxes.
  3. The Board authorized a public hearing to consider adopting a 4% Admissions Tax.
  4. The Board authorized a public hearing to amend spending levels in the FY 2020 Revised Budget plan.
  5. The Board authorized a loan for affordable senior housing in Reston.

 The full agenda is available for your review here and the video of the meeting is here .
Electronic Meeting Policy
What happened? The Board approved an electronic meeting policy.
Why? Virginia law primarily requires public bodies to meet in person except under certain conditions. Before the public body can meet electronically, they must vote on an electronic communication policy. Even with this however, the law also requires a quorum of the public body to be together in a physical location.
What was voted on? Two actions were taken:

  1. An electronic meeting policy was approved to allow some Board members to communicate electronically.
  2. The Board adopted an ordinance that "assure[s] continuity in its government" in the event of a disaster, such as COVID-19. This allows the Board to meet when it is unsafe to assemble in-person, as long as Freedom of Information Act procedures are followed.
Extending Tax Due Dates
What happened? The Board extended deadlines for Personal Property Taxes and Real Estate Taxes. Read more here .
For when? Two resolutions were passed.

  1. The filing deadline for Personal Property Taxes for both individuals and businesses was extended to June 1. Residents normally must file these changes with the County by May 1 or face a 10% penalty. This extension includes: reporting changes in vehicle ownership and location and businesses filing personal property with the County,
  2. The deadline to pay the first half of Real Estate taxes was extended to August 28. This helps homeowners who pay their Real Estate taxes directly to the County.
Why? The County is looking for ways to be flexible to accommodate residents and businesses in this time of need. As this situation evolves, we will continue to evaluate what the County is able to adjust, while still maintaining public services.
Public Hearing on Admissions Tax
What happened? The Board authorized a public hearing to consider adopting a 4% Admissions Tax.

What is this? Admissions tax can be used on the sale of movies, theater, and concert tickets. Charitable events such as school plays are excluded.

Why? This is a routine action to collect resident input prior to Board action. It is not a final vote to include in the FY2021 budget. Considering the coronavirus situation, next year's budget will look very different from the County Executive's original proposal.

When can I give feedback? The Board is now collecting feedback on this proposed tax. You can sign up to speak at a public hearing here or, as always, email me. More information about the admissions tax can be found here.
Public Hearing on FY 2020 Budget Plan
What happened? A public hearing to adjust spending levels identified in the FY 2020 Third Quarter Review .

What types of spending changed? This year, the Third Quarter package includes only critical funding items with a balance of $11.3 million recommended to be set aside in a reserve for the coronavirus pandemic. This reserve will be utilized to fund necessary spending requirements resulting from the pandemic, as well as to offset potential revenue losses.
Senior Housing in Reston
What happened? The Board authorized a $3 million Housing Blueprint loan to finance 240 units of affordable senior housing in Reston.

Background? The project, known as the New Lake Anne House, will eventually replace the adjacent Lake Anne Fellowship House developed in the 1970s on a 1-for-1 basis.

What are the benefits?

  1. These new homes are more marketable, modern, and accessible.
  2. Residents will pay for no more than 30% of their income toward housing costs (this includes rent and utilities!).
  3. The project as a whole - which also includes mixed-income and mixed-tenured residents - will bring economic development through construction jobs, increased business in Lake Anne, and new real estate tax revenues.

Anything else? The Board also approved additional funding for an affordable housing project in Lee District with 200 units called the Murraygate Village Apartments.
Sincerely,

Jeffrey C. McKay
Chairman
Contact the Office

chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov | 703.324.2321 |