Dear Neighbor,
On Tuesday, the Board approved the FY 2023 Budget Mark Up Package at its meeting, that the Board will adopt on May 10th. After months of conversation with our community, the Board approved a number of changes to County Executive Hill's Proposed Budget. You can find some of the changes I highlighted below. One historic milestone I would like to highlight--we were able to dedicate one full penny of the tax rate to Affordable Housing (in addition to more than one penny in one-time funds), with a commitment to reach two pennies in recurring funds in the near future.
Over the past two weeks in the Fairfax Health District, cases of COVID-19 have risen by 62%; and since a low on March 21, the daily number of cases has about tripled. Although not as high as the peak in cases seen in January, this change is concerning. Please remember to stay up to date with your boosters and be vigilant, and consider your risk. You can find all the latest COVID-19 information here.
Lastly, I'd like to thank all residents who donated blankets, jackets, socks and gloves for the Ukrainian donation drive at the Providence Community Center site. I was thrilled to see how much the Providence District showed their support. In our region, 55,000 pounds of materials donated were sorted and packed at the Oakton Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by more than 400 volunteers. Thank you to our community for your tremendous generosity!
You can find the Providence District updates below in this newsletter:
- FY 2023 Budget Mark Up
- 2022 Community Champion Awards
- Transportation Updates
- Green Corner
- Land Use & Development Updates
- Fairfax Poet Laureate
- Upcoming Events
With gratitude,
Supervisor Dalia Palchik
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The Board approved the FY 2023 Budget Mark Up Package at its meeting on Tuesday, April 26th. After months of conversation with our community, the Board approved a number of changes to County Executive Hill's Proposed Budget. I want to thank each and every one who provided testimony or contacted my office with your input. Your feedback was an important part of the process. As we prepare for the final vote, I especially want to thank those who spoke on behalf of our County's parks, affordable housing, employees, environment, small businesses, arts, youth, and seniors. Your voices and participation truly made a difference.
Some changes I'd like to highlight are outlined below. As a reminder, the Board will adopt the budget on May 10th.
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Real Estate Tax Rate was reduced from $1.14 to $1.11 per $100 of assessed value.
- The Board approved 15% tax relief for personal property taxes on cars, trucks, and other vehicles. This provides for almost $98 million in tax relief in total for vehicle owners.
- The expanded tax relief program for seniors and people with disabilities, which was approved by the Board in December 2021, is now in effect and is estimated to make an additional 2,000 residents eligible for the program.
- The Machinery and Tools (M&T) Tax was reduced by more than half, from $4.57 to $2 per $100 of assessed value, to help businesses like craft breweries and small-scale producers.
- The Board worked with the FCPS School Board to identify $10 million to be added towards this joint priority of expanding the availability of affordable housing in the County.
- The Board is committed to working with the Park Authority Board to address needs and provide necessary funding including over $750,000 in additional support for a natural resources sustainability effort and $500,000 for a parks equity pilot program.
- To address retention and recruitment issues, the Board approved a 4% pay increase for all County employees. Additionally, all eligible uniformed employees will receive a one additional step on their respective pay plans. This, combined with longevity increases, amounts to a 14% pay increase for some public safety employees.
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2022 Providence District Community Champion |
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Providence Community Champion, Mary Kent
Mary Kent has been a volunteer with Food for Others since November 2016, shortly after retiring. She has greatly impacted the Food for Others community and has been a vital part of the Food for Others Power Pack Program which is currently providing weekend bags of food to over 3,000 students in 45 Fairfax County Public Schools this school year. Mary also used her Master Gardener skills and experience to start three community gardens for Food for Others’ clients and continues to help with their success. Mary works closely with kids and families providing a chance for those families to learn and garden. Mary also gleans produce weekly for Food for Others at the Wakefield Farmer’s Market. I am so appreciative of Mary and her tireless dedication to helping Food for Others. The work she does in support of Food for Others directly impacts our youth and families in the Providence District as well as Fairfax County and supports the county’s mission to provide meaningful assistance to our community. Thank you, Mary, for your commitment to our county.
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Tysons/Old Meadow Road Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge
I am so excited to see that there is movement on installing the bike/ped bridge over I-495! The placement of the new bicycle/pedestrian bridge over I-495 went well last weekend. The bridge will connect a 10-foot-wide shared-use path from Tysons One Place and Fashion Boulevard to Old Meadow Road and Provincial Drive. Bridgework is expected to be finished this summer and is planned to open in August. The project aims to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and connectivity in the Tysons area.
For more information, visit here. |
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VDOT's Mowing Cycle
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)'s first mowing cycle of the year will begin next week, May 1. If you would like to report or check on the status of mowing, please contact VDOT here.
If you or know someone who would be interested in volunteering to mow grass on VDOT right of way, such work will require a permit. Learn more here.
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NVTC Public Comment on I-66 Commuter Choice Projects
The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is asking for public comment on projects currently under consideration for funding from I-66 Commuter Choice. Your feedback will be shared with decision makers in the region as they consider which of the projects proposed by local jurisdictions and transit agencies would best move more people, expand transportation options and make the transportation network work better for I-66 corridor commuters.
To take the survey, click here.
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NVTA Seeking Public Feedback on the Six Year Program
The public is invited to comment on the SYP candidate projects during the public comment period from through May 22 at 11:59pm. The project list, individual project description forms, maps, detailed analyses, and FAQs are available here, under the Public Engagement phase. If you know someone who would like to comment but is unable to access the materials online, please contact NVTA at 703-642-4652 or theauthority@thenovaauthority.org to make arrangements to view the materials.
To read more about options to provide your feedback, please visit here. |
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VDOT Joint Spring Meeting
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) will host nine meetings across Virginia and is inviting the public to share feedback on transportation initiatives and projects that have been recommended for funding, including highway, road, bridge, rail, bicycle, pedestrian, public transportation, and transportation demand management projects. Members of the community may participate by attending public meetings or submitting comments online, by email, or by mail.
Wednesday, May 4 at 5:30 PM
Northern Virginia District Office- Potomac Conference Room
4975 Alliance Drive
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
For more information, visit here.
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FCDOT Virtual Meeting
Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) held a virtual community input meeting on Wednesday, April 20 on Fairfax Connector proposed service changes for October 2022. You may still provide feedback on the proposed changes via an online survey, email, mail and by phone through May 6.
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A recording of the public meeting is posted here.
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Take the online survey (English);(Español) - Survey open until May 6.
You can find more information here.
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NoVA Outside's Student Environmental Action Showcase (SEAS) is a regional event welcoming students from Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax City/County, Falls Church, Prince William, and beyond. This year SEAS will be a hybrid event, with a virtual showcase and activities for all ages in the first week of May and an in-person event for high-school age students taking place Saturday, May 7 at George Mason University’s Potomac Science Center. Eco-Art submission due May 1.
For more information, click here
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is recruiting new growers and volunteers! They will be at several events this spring, raising public awareness about their work and about hunger in Northern Virginia. Someone from the Hands On Harvests board will be present, so you just have to show up, share seeds and chat with the public.
Events include the Falls Church Memorial Day Festival and master gardener plant clinics. Dates are April 30, May 14, May 21, May 30 and June 11. If you’re a student, this qualifies as community service.
To learn more and sign-up, visit here.
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Tree Rescuers
Join the Northern Virginia program of community volunteers to help save our native trees from invasive non-native vines! This is a very easy volunteer opportunity. All you need to do (after watching the video provided and reading the instructions) is:
- Walk around counting trees at risk from invasive vines.
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Drop off brochures (which will be mailed to you) for the landowners to alert them to the problem.
- Report back.
You can visit here for more information. |
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Land Use & Development Updates |
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Infill Lot Grading Plan and Conservation Plan Viewer
Curious about n ew H ome C onstruction in Your Neighborhood? The Department of Land Development Services (LDS) has published a new web-based application that allows you see where single-family home construction is occurring in your neighborhood. You can sign up to receive weekly email notifications by district for these site-related plans – called Infill (INF) and Conservation (CON) plans. A map shows the submitted, approved or disapproved plans within the last six months. Learn more in the app.
For more information, visit here. |
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Airport Noise Policy Plan Amendment
On July 28, 2020, the Board of Supervisors authorized the consideration of a Comprehensive Plan amendment for the relevant Policy Plan and Area Plan sections of the Plan to allow residential uses between the 60 and 65 DNL airport noise contour with commitments to noise mitigation measures, notification requirements, and construction techniques for any such uses. To learn more about the plan amendment, including FAQs & Community Feedback and Staff Report, please visit here.
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Fairfax Poet Laureate
ArtsFairfax is selecting the next Fairfax Poet Laureate. This position is a high honor and provides a Fairfax County poet the opportunity to actively engage the community in poetry. Visit this link below to learn more!
Key Dates:
June 15, 2022: Application opens and Information Session
July 30, 2022: Application Deadline
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Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities |
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Celebrate Arbor Day & Earth Day
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Carbon-Free Fairfax: Ask an Expert Session
Up to 25% of your household energy bill could be for wasted electricity from electronics and appliances that act as energy vampires, sucking electricity even when they're turned off. Sign up to speak with a Certified Energy Manager about how to increase the energy efficiency of your home. Register and learn more here.
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Friends of Oakton Library Book Sale
Come shop a wide selection of books and media at great prices. Stock up for your summer reading or to gift a reader you know. Our Sale volunteers will help you find what you are looking for. Choose from fiction, non-fiction, DVDs, CDs and audio books for all ages. We also offer special, one of a kind books and sets at bargain prices.
When:
- May 4, 5, and 6 from 10am to 5:30pm
- May 7 from 10am to 3pm
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The PARC at Tysons Mural Debut
Save the date! Celebrate Fairfax will be debuting The PARC mural on Saturday, May 7th! To kick off the debut of the mural we will be celebrating with live paintings by the artist, Rodrigo Padrel, live music from DJ Cabezon, Caboose Brewing, food trucks, and more! The event will have activities for all ages, so grab your family and head down to the PARC at Tysons! You won’t want to miss this free, fun-filled event.
For more information, visit here.
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Live Healthy Fairfax Educational Session
The Fairfax Food Council is leading an educational session on May 12 from 9:30am to 11:45am during the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax (PFHF) annual meeting.
This educational session will take the place of the Food Council’s yearly summit. The PFHF educational session will end with a Prezi video presentation highlighting the many ways the food system is lifting the community voice. These stories will be illustrated through photos, video snippets, and quotes/testimonials.
For more information, visit here. |
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Music in the Gardens: At Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
The Meadowlark Series Features VCO Ensembles will be taking place on Sunday Afternoons, from 3pm to 4pm on May 15, 29, June 12, 26 in the beautiful Korean Bell Pavilion. Concerts are free with admission to the Gardens ($3 to $6).
For more information about the series, click here.
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Bike to Work Day
Bike to Work Day (BTWD) is rolling full speed ahead, as a regained sense of community, first 15,000 who register and stop by a pit stop get a free T-shirt, and a chance to win a free bicycle. Participate in the regional event on Friday, May 20. Register now here!
Working from home? No problem! Bike to a pit stop then ride back home to work for the day.
For more information about Bike to Work Day and locations of the pit stops, visit here. |
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Girls Fire and Rescue Academy
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department announced the return of the Girls Fire and Rescue Academy summer camp, taking place June 21 – 24. The Academy is open to female students who will be in grades 7 – 12 in the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. Participants must be a Fairfax County resident.
You can get more information here.
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Traveling Players
Traveling Players presents Summer Camps & Conservatories for students in grades 3-12!
For more information visit here here. |
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Providence Presents
Welcome to the newly expanded Providence Presents! I am thrilled to announce that in addition to Nottoway Nights in Vienna, we’ve now added the Global Music & Dance in Falls Church. This new program will highlight local international arts groups, with a focus on dancing. All shows are free, outdoors, and appeal to all ages. Thank you to our corporate and private donors for making this event possible. If you would like to volunteer for the event, email us at Providence@fairfaxcounty.gov to coordinate. Join us to listen and dance to the world of music!
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Notary Services
My office is now offering free notary services Monday-Friday by appointment only. Please call 703-560-6946 or email my office at Providence@fairfaxcounty.gov to make an appointment prior to coming in.
Remember to bring a valid government issued ID that has both your picture and signature on it!
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We want to hear from you! Please reach out to us with questions, comments or just to say hello. Please feel free to email us with events you would like to be included in my newsletter.
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