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Friends and Neighbors,
March is Women's History Month, and this week the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors officially proclaimed March 2026 as Women’s History Month in Fairfax County. This month is an opportunity to recognize the leadership, resilience, and lasting contributions of women who have shaped our communities and continue to move them forward every day.
Here in Mason District — one of the most diverse communities in the country — we see the impact of women’s leadership everywhere: in our classrooms, our small businesses, our community organizations, and our local government. Their work strengthens our neighborhoods and inspires the next generation of leaders.
In this week’s newsletter, you’ll find updates on the County budget and how it impacts our community, opportunities to give back — including a menstrual product drive and ways to support our neighbors in need — and news about our recent publication in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Thank you, as always, for staying engaged and being an active part of our Mason District community.
Please reach out to my office at Mason@fairfaxcounty.gov or by phone at our main phone line 703-256-7717 if we can be of service.
Sincerely,
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Andres Jimenez
Mason District Supervisor
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Around the District with Supervisor Jimenez | | Districtwide School Tour Completed! | | |
Visiting Every Mason District School
When I was elected Mason District Supervisor in 2024, I made a commitment to visit every school in our district. I wanted to spend time in classrooms, meet with principals and teachers, and hear directly from the educators and students who experience our public education system every day.
Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of visiting all 21 schools in Mason District — including Annandale High School, Falls Church High School, and Justice High School; Glasgow Middle School, Holmes Middle School, and Poe Middle School; along with Annandale Terrace, Bailey's, Bailey's Upper, Beech Tree, Belvedere, Braddock, Camelot, Columbia, Glen Forest, Mason Crest, Parklawn, Sleepy Hollow, Westlawn, and Weyanoke Elementary Schools.
Each visit reinforced something important: our schools are filled with extraordinary educators and students, but they also face real challenges. Conversations about staffing, facilities, special education services, and student support help inform my work on the County budget and my broader advocacy for public education.
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Conversations with Residents
Earlier this week, we hosted our Mason District Budget Town Hall to walk through the FY 2027 Advertised Budget and hear directly from residents about their priorities and concerns. Thank you to everyone who joined us and took the time to engage in this important conversation.
To watch the full town hall, please visit: 2026 Mason District Budget Town Hall
| | KCSC of Greater Washington | | | | |
Community Charity Bazaar
I was excited to join the Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington for their Community Charity Bazaar at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space. It was a great day of community, connection, and shared purpose.
As the cultural hub of Fairfax County, Mason District thrives when we foster partnerships that create welcoming spaces for all residents and continue building a more connected community. I’m grateful to KCSC for their leadership and look forward to continuing our strong partnership — and, of course, to shopping local at future events!
| | Women's History Month in Fairfax County | | |
Celebrating Women’s History Month
This week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors officially proclaimed March 2026 as Women's History Month in Fairfax County.
Women’s History Month is an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary contributions of women who have shaped our communities, expanded opportunity, and strengthened our democracy. From educators and entrepreneurs to public servants and community advocates, women continue to play a vital role in building a stronger, more inclusive Fairfax County.
I’m proud to join my colleagues in celebrating the leadership, achievements, and impact of women across our community — and to recognize the many women whose work continues to inspire the next generation.
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As part of Read Across America, it was my pleasure to serve as a guest reader for the All Ages Read Together (AART) preschool class at the Lincolnia Senior Center.
I read What to Do with a Box by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Chris Sheban — a beautiful story that celebrates imagination, creativity, and the endless possibilities that can grow from something simple.
All Ages Read Together is a free, nonprofit preschool/kindergarten readiness program providing quality instruction twice a week to families with children 4 or 5 years old who do not qualify for publicly funded early education programs and who can not afford private preschool.
| | | RGGI: Bringing Common Sense Back to Virginia | |
Mason District in the News
I recently had the opportunity to publish an op-ed in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on the importance of rejoining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and what it means for communities across the Commonwealth.
In the piece, I discuss why restoring Virginia’s participation in RGGI is a practical, common-sense step that helps reduce carbon pollution while generating critical funding for flood resilience and energy efficiency programs.
These investments have real impacts — helping families lower energy costs, strengthening our infrastructure, and supporting communities facing increased climate risks.
The article was written in collaboration with Charniele Herring, and reflects our shared commitment to policies that protect both our environment and our economy.
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Budget Season is Here!
On February 17, the County Executive presented the proposed FY 2027 budget. The County’s annual budget is one of the most significant and complex responsibilities of the Board of Supervisors. It determines how we fund our schools, support public safety, maintain infrastructure, and deliver services in the year ahead.
Overall, the FY 2027 outlook is positive. As we move through this process, we want to hear directly from you — your input, feedback, and concerns matter.
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to adopt the FY 2027 Budget on May 5, 2026, with the new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
For a more comprehensive breakdown of the FY 2027 proposal, including detailed agency reductions, a budget dashboard, a summary document, and the full budget, please visit: Advertised Budget Plan | Management and Budget.
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Budget Summary
Taxes
- Real Estate Tax Rate remains unchanged at $1.1225 per $100 assessed value
- The average homeowner’s tax bill is projected to increase by about $357 due to higher property assessments — not a rate increase
- Each 1¢ change in the tax rate equals about $83 on the average tax bill
Schools
- $118 million increase (4%) in funding for Fairfax County Public Schools
- Schools remain the County’s largest investment
Supporting Our Workforce
- Fully funds all three collective bargaining agreements
- Includes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment plus merit and longevity increases
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Mason District FY27 Budget Process Dates
Feb. 17 - The County Executive presents the proposed budget to the Board of Supervisors. This proposal begins the public review process.
Feb 24 - The Board of Supervisors and School Board hold a joint Committee to review the proposed budget and discuss funding priorities, including the tax rate.
March 2 - A virtual town hall with School Board member Dr. Anderson and County Executive Bryan Hill to review the proposed budget and hear directly from Mason District residents.
April 14-16 - Residents can provide public testimony and share feedback directly to the Board of Supervisors before decisions are finalized. Sign up at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/speakers-form, call the Clerk to the Board’s office at 703-324-3151 (TTY 711), or email clerktothebos@fairfaxcounty.gov for more information.
April 28 - Board members review the proposal and consider amendments or adjustments prior to adoption.
May 5 - The Board of Supervisors votes to adopt the final budget for FY 2027.
July 1 - Fiscal Year 2027 begins.
| | | | Elections in Mason District | | |
Upcoming Special Election
A statewide special election will take place on April 21, 2026, giving Virginia voters the opportunity to decide whether to amend the state constitution as proposed in House Bill 1384. All registered voters in Fairfax County are eligible to participate.
Key dates to know:
You can vote early at any early voting location in the county. The Mason District Governmental Center will offer early voting April 11–18:
- Monday – Friday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sunday: Closed
Please note that parking at the Mason District Governmental Center is extremely limited due to ongoing construction, and voters may wish to consider another early voting location.
To learn more about what will appear on your ballot, review the official voter guide from the Fairfax County Office of Elections.
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Mason District Voting Accessibility Survey
We want to hear from you!
So far, 67 residents have shared their experiences with voting and elections in Mason District — can you help us get to 100 responses?
Your feedback helps us better understand what’s working, what could be improved, and how we can make voting more accessible and convenient for everyone in our community.
Take the survey today and tell us about your elections experience. It only takes a few minutes, and your input makes a difference.
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Free Tax Preparation with AARP
Mason District is pleased to once again welcome AARP Tax-Aide volunteers to provide our community with FREE TAX ASSISTANCE. Volunteers will be available at the Mason District Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, 6 days a week from January 30 to April 15.
Walk-Ins are welcome as are clients of all ages. Most tax returns are completed in one visit with the client present. Volunteers are certified to complete Federal and Virginia income tax returns, as well as returns for District of Columbia and Maryland residents.
To get started, complete an Intake Packet prior to arrival.
Appointments and Information are available, if needed. Call 703-249-9961 and leave a message, or visit our website at: novataxaide.org/sites/mason
Hours of operation
- Monday and Thursday: 1 pm - 8 pm
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9:30 am – 1 pm
- Saturday: 9 am – 1 pm
Must check-in 30 minutes before closing
Languages in addition to English
We are able to serve clients in the following languages in addition to English:
Chinese Spanish Vietnamese
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Tax Relief for Seniors and People with Disabilities
Fairfax County provides real estate tax relief and vehicle tax relief (only one vehicle per household) to citizens who are either 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled and meet the income and asset eligibility requirements.
Qualified taxpayers may also be eligible for tax relief for renters.
To schedule an appointment, please visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes/appointments.
For more information, visit the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration's website, or call (703)-222-8234.
Hours are Monday - Friday, 8AM - 4:30PM (Appointments are not required).
For additional information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes/real-estate/exemptions.
| | | Community Voices & Opportunities | | |
Free Trees for Fairfax County Residents and Community Organizations
Fairfax County is expanding opportunities to grow our urban forest with two free tree programs.
Community-based organizations can apply to receive professionally grown, landscape-quality, regionally native trees (1.5–2.0 inches in caliper, 8–10 feet tall, 130–150 pounds each) for planting on private property. All community organizations are encouraged to apply, with priority given to those located in or near Vulnerability Index areas. Learn More about the Tree Distribution Program for Community Organizations.
Fairfax County residents can also sign up to receive up to two free trees shipped directly to their homes through a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. Participants can choose from species selected for our local environment, and each shipment includes tree shelters and stakes to support healthy establishment. Supplies are limited and available on a first come, first served basis — claim your free trees and help grow Fairfax County’s tree canopy.
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Annual Native Seedling Sale
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting orders for our 2026 Annual Native Seedling Sale Program, through which we provide native trees and shrubs to Fairfax County residents at low cost.
All seedlings are native to Virginia and were chosen with advice from our friends at the Fairfax County Urban Forestry Management Division and Virginia Department of Forestry.
Sale proceeds help to support the stewardship and engagement programs offered by NVSWCD that also support Fairfax County’s Environmental Vision, including those that engage the Fairfax County community in additional local reforestation efforts, volunteer stream monitoring, our local Envirothon high school competition, storm drain marking and education, Green Breakfasts, and others.
For questions, email: conservationdistrict@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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Only YOU can save our trees!
All are invited to participate in a “Fairfax PRISM Extravaganza,” March 12 - April 21, when people across Fairfax County will come together to rescue trees from invasive vines.
Our trees are increasingly being smothered and strangled by invasive vines and crowded out by aggressive non-native plants. To combat this growing threat, a new collaboration of public and private organizations has organized Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM — a community-wide initiative with the motto: “Only YOU can save our trees.”
The campaign calls on residents, community groups, and public officials to take part in a united effort to protect the native plants that beautify our neighborhoods and sustain our local ecosystems.
Launch events are planned throughout the county, giving participants hands-on opportunities to learn about invasive plants and help rescue trees in their own communities. Those events are listed at FairfaxPRISM.org, where you can also learn about other ways to help or to get help with this work. Registration is required for the tree rescue events because of limited parking in some locations.
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Community Drives and Programs | | |
Help Our Neighbors Transition When Shelter Season Ends
At the end of March, the winter Hypothermia Shelter program will close for the season. For more than 400 of our neighbors, that means leaving the safety of shelter — often without knowing where they will sleep next.
To help ease this transition, FACETS is preparing 400 Transition Kits for people leaving shelter.
Each kit includes essential items like a warm sleeping bag, clean socks, hygiene supplies, thermal layers, and a solar phone charger to help people stay connected to work, care, and loved ones.
Any amount helps. Let’s show the strength of our community by ensuring our neighbors leave shelter with the essentials they need to move forward.
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EQAC Seeks High School Student Member for 2026–2027 Term
The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) is seeking a high school student to serve as a member of the council for the July 2026–June 2027 term, and applications are now open through April 12, 2026.
EQAC advises the Board of Supervisors on ways to improve environmental protection and enhancement in Fairfax County, including preparing an annual report on the state of the physical environment. The council also administers the Environmental Excellence Awards, which recognize individuals, organizations, businesses, and county employees for advancing the county’s environmental goals and policies.
The student position is open to all current high school sophomores and juniors in good standing who live in Fairfax County (excluding the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church), including those in public, private, parochial, and homeschool settings. To apply, students must complete and submit the online student application form by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
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Website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/mason
Email: Mason@fairfaxcounty.gov
Phone: 703-256-7717
Mason Governmental Center (6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003)
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm
Fairfax County does not discuss individuals’ personal information unless authorized or required to do so by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act or other law. Any e-mail or other correspondence sent to a member of the Board of Supervisors, or any other public official and/or employee of Fairfax County may be subject to disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
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