In This Issue...

Board Votes to Move Forward with Admissions Tax

I was the only Board member to vote against moving forward with advertising a public hearing on an up to 4 percent Admissions Tax during Tuesday's Board meeting. I also requested a $3M project get deferred until we learn more about the budget impacts. Our residents and businesses are struggling to make it and are being forced to make difficult decisions to balance their budgets. Now is not the time to be considering a new industry specific tax, especially an industry that has been hit so hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. This tax would apply to the same movie theaters, concerts, and other non-charitable events that are already struggling to stay afloat due to forced closures prompted by the pandemic.

The Admissions Tax will be the subject of a public hearing at 3:00 pm on April 14^th. Residents can also weigh in on the proposed Admissions Tax during the budget public hearings. If approved after the public hearing, revenue from the tax would go back to support arts, cultural, and tourism activities beginning October 1^st, 2020. Generally, I only support industry-based taxes if the industry supports it, but I can't in good conscience support a new industry specific tax during this difficult time for our residents and businesses - especially one on an industry that has been so hard hit. If you have feedback on this proposed tax you can share it with the entire Board by emailing [email protected] .

I also requested the Board defer investing $3M in a new rent-controlled housing project until we have a further understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our budget. The Board approved the project over my objections.

Other Budget News

Third Quarter Review is often where the Board's pet projects get funded. At our Tuesday Board meeting, I strongly supported County Executive Hill's recommendation that all flexible spending from the third quarter review be put into a $11.3 million reserves to offset revenue loss from the pandemic. I also have strongly supported the hiring freeze and travel ban the County Executive has implemented until we know the impact on the budget. We will learn more about the impact to the budget and a revised budget process at our Budget Committee meeting on Tuesday.

Each year, the Board reviews the County's spending during the current fiscal year (FY2020) and authorizes changes in spending. At our previous Board meeting on March 17th, County Executive Hill shared that to date since the pandemic began, the County has lost over $125 million in revenue. Normally, these third quarter reviews are used to fund various pet projects, so it's a step in the right direction that the Board approved the County Executive's recommendation to not spend the additional money. It's important now more than ever that the Board makes the tough decisions our residents and businesses make every day to save and choose between wants and needs.

As of now, the Board is still planning to proceed with budget public hearing s on April 14th-16th where residents can comment on the FY 2020 Third Quarter Review as well as the FY 2021 Advertised Budget. County staff are working on solutions for residents to still provide testimony during the hearings without compromising their safety and health. We will let you know as soon as we get more information. For now, you can email the Clerk to the Board at [email protected] with any budget comments you would like to go to the entire Board.

Fairfax County Government Buildings

While the county government is still open for business by mail, email or phone, all Fairfax County government buildings will close to members of the public at 5 pm on Friday, March 27^th until further notice. Residents are encouraged to continue to conduct County business online. My office is open with most of the staff teleworking - please contact us if you need assistance, email [email protected] or call 703-451-8873.

COVID-19 Updates

As of Friday, March 27th at 11:15 am, there have been 124 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Fairfax County Health District. The Center for Disease Control and the Fairfax County Health Department continue to encourage social distancing and routine hand washing.

Tax Dates

Several important tax dates have been extended. You can find more information below:

• Seek advice from your regular healthcare provider to determine if a medical evaluation is needed;
• If you feel it is an emergency and you cannot wait, contact a local urgent care center or emergency room. Ask for instructions regarding accessing the facility;
• Practice "social distancing" by avoiding mass gatherings and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible;
• If you are experiencing a fever or symptoms of respiratory infection, such as cough or difficulty breathing, or had exposure to a COVID-19 patient and traveled to a high-risk area classified by the CDC, please contact Inova at 855-IMG-DOCS so we can assist you with recommendations and arrange a clinic appointment if indicated. Please do not show up at an Inova site for COVID-19 screening without calling ahead. After clinic hours, please call ahead to one of Inova's nine urgent care centers before visiting.

1. Contact your regular physician for evaluation. For assistance with recommendations, to arrange for a physician appointment, or if you do not have a primary care physician, call 1-855-IMG-DOCS.
2. Your regular physician can evaluate your symptoms to determine if testing is indicated based on COVID-19 testing criteria and provide a testing order, or refer you to the Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic for evaluation.
3. Upon arrival at the Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic, a clinician will greet the patient at their vehicle to collect samples for a physician-ordered test, or escort the patient into the respiratory clinic for evaluation.
4. For patients who undergo COVID-19 testing, a UCC nurse will contact those whose results are negative. For patients with positive results, a UCC nurse will coordinate with the patient's regular physician for notification and further instructions. Patients who are tested can expect results in roughly 4-7 days.

• Practicing good hand hygiene,
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the using the inside of your elbow,
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick by practicing social distancing of six feet or more,
• Cleaning high-touch surfaces regularly, and
• Staying home if you feel sick.