Your Voice in Fairfax County
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In This Issue...
- Board Votes Tax Increase with FY21 Budget Approval - I have supported budgets in the past and in normal years I likely would have supported a budget with a 2.25 percent increase in the taxes paid by the average homeowner. However, these are not normal times and residents are struggling with over 72,575 residents on unemployment and thousands more furloughed or seeing wage cuts. The 2.25 percent increase also comes on the heels of a 25 percent increase over the last five years. I was the lone vote against the tax increase. However, I am more disappointed to report that the Board rejected my commonsense motion to direct the County Executive to review the programs we have added to the budget over the last 5 years that generated much of the 25 percent growth in the budget with an eye towards reallocating some of this growth to our priorities as we continue to deal with the financial impact of the pandemic.
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Progress on Parks
- I have been working with the Park Authority to get the parking lots, garden plots, boat ramps and golf courses reopened so residents have a place to get outside and exercise as recommended by the CDC. I am happy to report that the gardens plots are open and farmers markets will begin opening starting on Saturday, May 9th. There will be some good news coming soon on golf courses and I will continue to work to get the parking lots and boat ramps reopened.
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Good News on Yard Waste Collection and Glass Recycling -
While the County dropped the requirement for once a week yard waste collection and stopped collecting on county routes, I am happy to report that the majority of haulers have reinstated yard waste collection. I am hoping we have good news to report on glass collection soon but have another option below as well.
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Planning
Commission's
Land Use Policy Committee to Review Potential ADU
Changes
- This evening, the zMOD draft proposal on Accessory Dwelling Units and Home-Based Businesses we be discussed by the Planning Commissions Land Use Policy Review Committee. You can watch here. As I stated in prior newsletters, I have concerns with the lifting of restrictions on ADUs and the resulting impact on increased density our neighborhoods. Please be sure to complete the survey I reference to below.
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Other Helpful News and Information
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Tru - Four-Legged-Friend of the Month
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Ways You Can Help Our Community in Your Free Time
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Help from the Heart Community Drive
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Stuff The Bus
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On the Lighter Side
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My Proposed Cuts at the Board Budget Mark Up Meeting
I have supported budgets in the past and in normal years I likely would have supported a budget with a 2.25 percent increase in the taxes paid by the average homeowner. However, these are not normal times and residents are struggling with over 72,575 residents on unemployment and thousands more furloughed or seeing wage cuts. The 2.25 percent increase also comes on the heels of a 25 percent increase over the last five years. I was the lone vote against the tax increase.
I am more disappointed to report that the Board rejected my motion to add to Budget Guidance a direction to the County Executive to review the programs we have added to the budget over the last 5 years that generated much of the 25 percent growth in the budget with an eye towards bringing back to the Board suggestions for reallocating some of this growth to our priorities as we continue to deal with the financial impact of the pandemic.
I find it disappointing that the Board would refuse to even look for potential reductions - especially in new programs added in the past five years.
While the County Executive and budget staff made great strides in cutting new spending to eliminate the tax rate increase, the Board did not take a hard look at any other cost reductions and refused to consider the ones I offered. I identified several areas that could be cut to eliminate the tax increase because of the 2.25 percent assessment increase. Among the cuts I proposed were:
- Body Worn Camera Program Deferral:While phases two and three of the Body Worn Camera program were deferred, the FY 2021 budget still includes a $1.77M increase for maintenance of this program. I submitted a consideration item to cut this additional spending and divert positions and funding already funded for this program to other public safety services and compensation. This deferral would not require we cut police positions.
- Cut Nonessential New Position in the County Executive's Office: While the majority of the new 20 positions included in the adjusted FY 2021 budget are for the Health Department and other pandemic response positions, it still includes a new position for $0.09M for an additional One Fairfax position in the County Executive's Office. I suggested we cut this nonessential new position.
- Eliminate the half penny for Affordable Housing -Right now, our residents and businesses are cutting back on their capital improvements and so should we. One function of the $200M federal stimulus grant is to provide rental payment assistance for the most vulnerable through nonprofit partners. There are creative ways to look to support our most vulnerable without the tax burden of this half penny during these already trying times.
These are also not normal times in that the Board had no opportunity to discuss our thoughts on the budget as a group. As I shared in my budget discussions with the budget vice chair, we need to look at all the programs we have added to the budget over the last 5 years that generated much of the 25 percent growth in the budget. I fully understand the need to be conservative with our estimates and that the true extent of revenue losses will not be known for months. However, the $200M in federal aid has given us some breathing room and provided much needed support to our nonprofits that are providing critical services to those most in need. Like most of our residents and businesses, we need to look at cutting our wants, meeting needs and providing our residents some tax relief.
The Board also unanimously voted to adopt the FY 2020 Third Quarter Review Tuesday. As I shared in my previous budget newsletter, third quarter funding has largely shifted to support pandemic efforts including $11.3M in reserves. This is in addition to $200M in CARES Act funding that will support our nonprofits, fund some of the COVID response and PPE purchasing. With these relief funds, many of our most essential community needs will be funded through nonprofits as early as this week. For more information on the Third Quarter Review, read my previous newsletter or visit here.
The Board will be voting on a final budget May 12th, but you can still submit budget testimony by emailing the Clerk to the Board at
[email protected]
or visit the Clerk's webpage for more information.
I have been working with the Park Authority to get the parking lots, garden plots, boat ramps and golf courses reopened so residents have a place to get outside and exercise as recommended by the CDC. I am happy to report that
The Park Authority will begin a phased re-opening of golf operations beginning with Burke Lake Golf, Laurel Hill Golf and Greendale Golf beginning this Friday, May 8. Additionally,
gardens plots are open and farmers markets will begin opening starting on Saturday, May 9
th
. You can find more information about farmers markets reopening here.
My office continues to be in constant contact with the leadership of the Park Authority encouraging them to open their parking lots, boat launches, golf courses, and other activities that can be done while maintaining social distancing. We may have to be creative as other jurisdictions have done to enable county residents to safely use our parks for fresh air and exercise as recommended by the CDC. For example, Montgomery County has kept their parks open but are using snow fences around the playgrounds and picnic shelters where people congregate. I will continue to work to get the parking lots and boat ramps reopened.
Good News on Yard Waste Collection and Glass Recycling
While the County dropped the requirement for once a week yard waste collection and stopped collecting on county routes, I am happy to report that the majority of haulers have reinstated yard waste collection. The County has not yet resumed collecting yard waste but reduced the fees it will be charging next year.
While I am hoping we have good news to report on glass collection soon, some community members have found a way to help the community recycle by setting up their own bins). Thank you to Mackenzie and Austin for setting this up. You can reach them at
[email protected]
or see this Google form
for more information.
Planning
Commission's
Land Use Policy Committee to Review Potential ADU
Changes
This evening, the zMOD draft proposal on Accessory Dwelling Units and Home-Based Businesses we be discussed by the Planning Commissions Land Use Policy Review Committee.This is not a public hearing, but you can watch the committee meeting here.
The proposed ADU regulations would eliminate the current restrictions on the number of ADUs in our neighborhoods. The County is also looking at ways to consolidate the different types of home-based businesses. Under current regulations, processes and regulations vary by business type. You can learn more about both of proposals here.
Please be sure to take both surveys
.
As I stated in my February 6th Herrity Report, while I support easing the requirements for ADUs with the current age and disability restrictions, I oppose eliminating these restrictions. Removal of these restrictions would give most residential housing the ability to add an additional dwelling unit and has the potential to significantly increase the density in our residential neighborhoods.
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Other Helpful News & Information
Four-Legged-Friend of the Month
May's four-legged friend of the month is Tru. You can find more information about him
here or on the right-hand side of the Herrity Report. I am also happy to report that adoptions are at an all-time high and the Michael Frey Fairfax County Animal Shelter has fewer animals than before the COVID-19 pandemic started.
Ways You Can Help Our Community in Your Free Time
- Host a food drive for your friends and neighbors - Food banks in our area have a constant need for nonperishable items and essentials as many in our community have lost their jobs. You can organize a food drive with your friends and neighbors by inviting them to donate and planning a time for drop-offs in your yard or driveway that someone can then transport to a nearby food bank. This is a great way to connect with and serve our community while maintaining social distancing. Find a food bank near you here.
- Learn how to make PPE with Hack the Pandemic - In my last newsletter, I shared how one of our own FCPS students has started an organization to help provide PPE to first responders and healthcare workers. See how you can help and learn how to make PPE yourself using 3D printing, sewing machines and more here.
Help from the Heart Community Drive
Fairfax County is hosting a 24-hour community drive for most needed items around the county. Drop boxes are located at all the Fairfax County police stations. Items most needed are toothpaste & brushes; deodorant & lotions; diapers & baby wipes; soap, shampoo, & conditioner; feminine hygiene products; adult incontinence underwear; laundry & dish detergent; household cleaners; paper towels & toilet paper. You can find more information here.
Stuff the bus
Please join me at this year's 'Stuff the Bus' food drive at one of the two Springfield District locations. On Saturday, May 16th, volunteers will be collecting food from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at West Springfield Government Center. On Tuesday, May 19th, you can drop donations off at the Mott Community Center from
10:00 am to 3:00. Donations will be used to fill the shelves of local nonprofits' food pantries. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for help has surged in Fairfax County. You can find more information
here.
On the Lighter Side
- Last weekend, The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air force had a joint flyover around the Washington, DC region. Following that, they made their way to Atlanta, Georgia. You can see the view from the cockpit during the Atlanta flyover here.
- You may be happy tomorrow is Friday, but you'll never be happier than Takoda the bear splashing around in a 300-gallon tub. You can watch Takoda here.
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Email
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Teen Job Fairs
Free Concerts in the Park
Randy Thompson Band
July 8th at 7 pm
Practically Einstein
July 15th at 7 pm
The English Channel
July 22nd at 7 pm
The Woodshedders
July 29th at 7 pm
The Johnny Artis Band
August 5th at 7 pm
The Skip Castro Band
August 12th at 7 pm
The Colin Thompson Band
August 19th at 7 pm
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Four-Legged-Friend of the Month
May's four-legged-friend of the month is Tru! He is a four-year-old, mastiff mix. He weighs 110 pounds, has a big personality, and he's definitely a diamond in the rough. Tru is great with other dogs and has become the cornerstone the cornerstone of the shelter's dog playgrounds. You can find more information about Tru here.
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