Feb. 22, 2023

Neighbors,

At yesterday's Board of Supervisors meeting, County Executive Bryan Hill presented his proposed FY 2024 Budget. After several months of community engagement, the Board will vote on the budget on May 9, 2023 and it will become effective July 1, 2023. I have just begun reviewing it and there are lots of details to get through. 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!

In addition, property owners will soon receive their 2023 real estate assessment notices in the mail, or you can look it up online. At the end of 2022, home sale prices on average were still higher than they were a year before even with the increase in mortgage rates. Therefore, 2023 residential real estate assessments are up an average of 6.97% countywide, with the average assessment for all homes at $719,522. The average increase in Hunter Mill District is 6.81%. (Click on the map for a larger version)

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 2023 is based on the 2023 assessment and Fairfax County’s 2022 tax rates. This is an estimate because the Board of Supervisors has not yet adopted tax rates for 2023. Learn more.

County Executive's FY 2024 Proposed Budget:

Key Points:

• The proposal includes funding a 6.3 percent operating increase or $144.1 million over the current adopted budget plan, for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) priorities, including employee compensation.
• Inflationary impacts on the county budget will mean an additional $18.05 million to cover contract rate, utility and information technology cost increases along with lease adjustments.
• Targeted limited investments are proposed for the Office of Elections, Park Authority social equity initiatives, a behavioral health system navigation program and the Tysons Community Alliance, among other smaller initiatives.
• Of the $134.51 million recommended increase in county disbursements, $92.73 million is targeted toward employee pay and benefits. 

What to Know About the Proposed Budget:

• Review the Proposed Budget Presentation
• Proposed Budget Package
• Budget Timeline
• 2023 Real Estate Assessments 

Provide Your Input:

• Email: HunterMill@Fairfaxcounty.gov
• Hunter Mill District Town Halls with School Board Member Melanie Meren
• Virtual Budget Town Hall Monday, March 20, 7 p.m. Virtual on Teams Click here to join the meeting or call 571-429-5982, code: 347 661 555# 
• In-Person Town Hall, Tuesday, March 28, 7 p.m. James Madison High School, Warhawk Lecture Hall, 2500 James Madison Dr, Vienna.
• Budget public hearings are scheduled for April 11-13. Learn more about participating in the Board of Supervisors budget public hearings, including by phone or video submission. You can also email testimony to the Clerk to the Board's office or call with questions at 703-324-3151 (TTY 711).

I look forward to seeing you at a town hall or public hearing!

Regards,

Walter

The Board of Supervisors met yesterday, as noted above. You can watch the meeting here and review the Board Package here. Of note:

• My joint Board Matter with Chairman McKay on the Carter Family Cemetary Preservation was approved.

Lake Anne Community Survey

An online survey has been developed by the county's Department of Planning and Development and partner Streetsense to gain an understanding of the perspectives of residents, business owners, and visitors of Lake Anne and what they see as challenges and opportunities for the area. The survey will be open until March 10. For more information and to take the online survey, click here.

Virtual Community Meeting on Proposed Changes to Fairfax Connector’s Youth Fare Policy, Tomorrow, Feb. 23

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation will hold a virtual community meeting on proposed changes to Fairfax Connector’s Youth Fare Policy on Thursday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m. The proposed changes would eliminate fares for children between the ages of 5-11-years-old with a paying adult. Learn more.

Reston Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Virtual Meeting, Monday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m.

The Reston P&Z meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 27 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: 233 397 540#. Meeting Agenda. For more information contact Shruti Nallappa.

Zoning Complaints

My office occasionally receives questions/concerns from residents about zoning issues in their neighborhood. The process for filing a complaint begins with the county's Department of Code Compliance, which you can find here. You can also email Code Compliance at DCCCodeComplianceE-mail@fairfaxcounty.gov for questions and other assistance.

Reston Comprehensive Plan

Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage and podcast.

• Board Matter: Reauthorization of Reston Comprehensive Plan Study
• Watch Jan. 24 Board Discussion
• Watch Jan. 26 Planning Commission Workshop Discussion

The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District will begin accepting orders for the annual seedling sale on March 7. This popular sale enables county resident to purchase low-cost native trees and shrubs. All seedlings are native to Northern Virginia and were selected with advice from the Fairfax County Urban Forestry Management Division and Virginia Department of Forestry. Two packages are available featuring shrubs and trees that were specially selected because of their value to wildlife.

• The first package is $17 and includes two of each of the following species: American Elderberry, Black Chokeberry and Eastern Redbud.
• The second package is also $17 and includes two each of the following: Allegheny Chinquapin, American Persimmon and Gray Dogwood.

More information and order form

Restaurant Week Returns

I am very happy to let you know that the Town of Vienna's Restaurant Week is March 3 - 12. The Town's Economic Development Division has put together a great list of participating eateries. Learn more and eat up!

COVID-19 Resources

• Updates from the Fairfax County Health Department
• COVID-19 Case Data
• COVID-19 Vaccine Data

Small Steps Bring Big Rewards

The Fairfax County Health Department encourages everyone to take small steps, like adding more physical activity to your day, to reduce your risk for heart disease. At least 150 minutes of exercise for adults every week can help keep your heart healthy. Learn more.

'Feel-Good Gardening' is Focus of Annual EcoSavvy Symposium

The Park Authority is hosting the 19th annual EcoSavvy Symposium on Saturday, March 4, 10 a.m. to noon. Registration is required. Enrollment is $24 per person. A Zoom link will be distributed to all registered participants before the symposium. Learn more.

Need a Lift? Transportation Services are Available to Help

Once you make the decision to give up driving, simple things like shopping for groceries or scheduling a doctor’s appointment can become complicated. If you struggle to secure a ride or don’t want to burden friends or family, there are options. Learn more.

Spring Flea Market March 4

The Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods is hosting a spring flea market on Saturday, March 4, 9 a.m. to noon. Learn more.