Feb. 21, 2024

Neighbors,

Yesterday, the county executive presented his proposed budget for FY 2025 to the Board of Supervisors. The county budget affects everyone in the county, so I encourage you to take a look at the links below and provide your input – I want to hear from you!

Of note, the county executive's revenue projections are based on a $1.135 Real Estate Tax rate. The proposed rate is an increase of 4 cents per $100 assessed value, which would result in an average property tax bill increase of just over $524. The proposed budget funds an increase of 6.8% in the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) operating budget, which is $89 million less than requested in the Superintendent’s budget. I am just starting my budget review but with each penny on the Real Estate Tax Rate generating $32.3 million, several items in addition to FCPS support seem to be driving much of the county executive’s proposed Real Estate Tax Rate increase: a $29.7 million increase in police pay, $21.8 million more for fire/rescue pay, $31.1 million more to cover failures of 2 of our 3 retirement systems to reach the 6.75% assumed rate of investment return (we fully fund our pension system in Fairfax County), and $10 million more to WMATA to keep Metro running. If you see things in the budget you do not agree with, or do not make sense, please let me know at huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov or via any of the other ways provided below.

The lack of adequate funding support from the state continues to be frustrating, particularly in regard to FCPS. I noted in a previous newsletter that the state's underfunding of public education is not only below the national average, but also below several neighboring states, including West Virginia and Kentucky. Learn more. I am also concerned about the state's funding of WMATA, and the impact on our budget, but we will hear more on that as the General Assembly and Governor work through the state budget process.

Real Estate Assessments:

Property owners will soon receive their 2024 real estate assessment notices in the mail, or you can look it up online. The 2024 residential real estate assessments are up an average of 2.86%, with the average assessment for all homes at $744,526. The average increase in Hunter Mill District is 3.3%, compared to 6.81% last year. Click on map to enlarge.

Please note that the estimated tax levy shown on your assessment notice is just that — an estimate. As required by state law, the estimated tax for 2024 is based on the 2024 assessment and Fairfax County’s 2023 tax rates. This is an estimate because the Board of Supervisors has not yet adopted tax rates for 2024. Learn more.

What to Know:

• Proposed Budget Presentation (PDF)
• Budget At A Glance (PDF)
• FY 2025 Budget Timeline
• Watch the FY 2025 Proposed Budget Presentation

Ways to Provide Your Input on the Proposed Budget and Tax Rate:

Email me at huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov

Hunter Mill District Town Hall Meetings:

• March 20, 7 p.m. in-person at Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave. East, Vienna.
• March 25, 7 p.m. virtual, use this link to attend and participate. You may also call in and listen to the meeting, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 952 967 568# For more information email paul.davisjr@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-478-0283.

In addition, you now have the option to text input and provide feedback in multiple languages. More information:

• Online at FY25 Advertised Budget - PublicInput (fairfaxcounty.gov)  
• Text FY25Budget to 73224 
• Call 703-890-5898 
• Testify at budget public hearings held April 16-18 either in person, by video or phone. Sign up or call the Clerk to the Board's Office at 703-324-3151 (TTY 711) or email for more information.

Regards,

Walter

I announced at yesterday's Board of Supervisors meeting that last week, the Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name the planned, rebuilt library facility, which will be located on the site of the current Patrick Henry Library, to be the Vienna-Carter Library. The Library Board has been considering a name change since summer 2023, when community members first came forward with the request to honor the Carter family for their invaluable stamp on our library system.

The Carter family has contributed significantly to the history of the library, the Town of Vienna, and Fairfax County. William McKinley Carter, born in 1897, was a charter member of the Fairfax County NAACP. He was instrumental in procuring a county library branch to serve everyone in the Town of Vienna where, at the time, the existing town library had a whites-only policy. In 1958, Carter and his wife Lillian co-founded the nonprofit Vienna Friends of the Library in their living room and led a successful community effort to open a county library facility. Their efforts created an integrated library facility where everyone was welcome.

Opened in 1971, the current Patrick Henry Library was bond funded in 2020 for a new facility on the existing site, located in the heart of the Town of Vienna. Fairfax County has an agreement with the Town of Vienna to develop the site of the current library for both a new library and a shared parking structure for county and town usage. The new facility is scheduled to open in late 2026.

I am delighted that the Library Board of Trustees has chosen to move forward with naming the new library facility the Vienna-Carter Library!

Orders for the popular Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD) annual native seedling sale begin March 14. The Songbird-Friendly package will feature smooth alder, American hazelnut, and Chickasaw plum. The Nectar Lover's Package has false indigobush, buttonbush, and silky dogwood. To address some of the ordering challenges from past years, there will be a staggered release of seedlings and there is also a new sales platform. In addition, NVSWCD is selling rain barrels, tumbler composters, and Plant NOVA Natives guides. Learn more.

Last Friday, I hosted the annual thank you reception for the Hunter Mill District BAC (Boards, Authorities and Commissions) representatives. Thank you to everyone who participated. We are grateful to these community members who support all aspects of our county government. It is no secret that Fairfax County runs on the power of our volunteers.

If you would like to be considered for a BAC position, contact Gwenn Minton.

Lake Anne Economic Visioning Phase 3 Underway

Fairfax County and its consultant Streetsense are embarking on Phase 3 of the Lake Anne Economic Visioning Study, which will investigate the economic feasibility of various options that were proposed with engagement during Phases 1 and 2. The study is expected to take approximately nine months and will include a series of open meetings as part of the process to update the public on the results of this phase and invite input on further steps. Learn more.

Reston Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Virtual Meeting, Monday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m.

The Reston P&Z meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. You may also call in and listen to the meeting, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 542 801 402# For more information email Mark Goldberg-Foss or call 703-478-5123.

Reston SSPAs Community Kick-off Meeting March 4

The Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development is hosting a community meeting on Monday, March 4, 7 p.m. to kick off the public engagement process for four Site-Specific Plan Amendments (SSPAs) in Reston. The meeting will be held at South Lakes High School, 11400 South Lakes Dr., Reston.

The four SSPAs to be discussed are:

Roger Bacon Drive – PA 2023-III-UP8

Samuel Morse Drive – SSPA 2023-III-11UP

• Additional information

1950 Roland Clarke Place – SSPA 2023-III-12UP

Reston Corner – SSPA 2023-III-13UP

General information about the SSPA process can be found here. For more information, email Mark Goldberg-Foss or call 703-478-5123.

Vienna Hosts Restaurant Week March 3-10

During the week of March 3, visit your local favorites during Vienna Restaurant Week for great deals and to support local businesses. Hosted by the Town of Vienna's Economic Development Division, more details about the week, including participating restaurants, will be found here next week.

Fairfax County Police Department Reston District Station CAC Meeting Feb. 28

The Reston District Station is hosting a Community Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza N, Reston. Officers will provide updates and answer questions on public safety issues. For more information email jenette.post@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Early Voting Expands on Saturday

Fairfax County's Office of Elections is expanding early voting for the March 5 primaries to 16 voting locations beginning this Saturday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find the location closest to you here.

Apply for Board of Zoning Appeals by March 15

There are two upcoming appointments over the next few months and a current vacancy for the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals. Interested candidates should apply by March 15 to the Fairfax Circuit Court, which appoints the board’s seven members. This position will be for a five-year term from the date of appointment. Applicants must be residents of Fairfax County. Learn more.  Learn more.

Summer Camp Jobs with Park Authority

The Fairfax County Park Authority is hiring full-time seasonal positions for the summer camp program at multiple locations. Available positions include site directors, camp leaders, and inclusion leaders to join our team. The Park Authority will also be offering a $500 gross sign-on bonus for summer employees. Learn more.