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September 30, 2026

If you’ve visited the North County Governmental Center recently, you may have noticed a kiosk tucked in the corner of the lobby.

It’s a self-service kiosk to pay your personal property taxes— a category of taxes which includes the more commonly known "car tax." (These kiosks were also installed at three other county government centers.)

While it’s never fun to pay taxes, the county is working to make it easier, faster and more convenient.

The kiosk accepts cash, check and credit card payments. Before they were rolled out, your primary option to pay by cash was to make a trip to the Fairfax County Government Center’s tax counters.

Before you use it, be aware that the machines do have a few quirks. They won’t provide exact change, so any overpayment will be applied as a credit to your future car tax bills. When paying by check, the kiosk electronically scans it and then returns it to you. (Unlike depositing a check at an ATM, the kiosk won’t physically take your check.) Be aware, there’s a service charge for credit card payments (this is no different than if you pay online or in person with a credit card, however).

The kiosk also allows you to check account balances, print receipts and complete the same payment transactions for personal property taxes currently available at the tax counter.

As another benefit, it’s also available 24/7 unlike in-person service at the Fairfax County Government Center.

As a reminder, car taxes are due Monday, Oct 5, and there are many ways to pay your bill besides the kiosk. Electronic payments through the MyFairfax portal still remain the fastest, easiest way to pay. You can schedule payments, and there’s no charge for e-checks. This portal also allows you to pay both car and real estate taxes, and view your bills.

Please note that I won’t have a newsletter next week so please check your inbox for the next issue on Oct. 14.

Regards,

Walter

• Honoring Gerry Connolly: New Trail Signs
• Pilot Project for Automated Enforcement of Loud Mufflers
• West of Wiehle Study Community Meeting Oct. 5
• Medicare 101 Workshops
• Dominion Merger Public Hearing Oct. 9
• Free Pet Adoption at Reston Town Center Friday
• Old Courthouse Spring Branch & Ashgrove Trail Ribbon Cutting
• Board of Supervisors Update
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

On Saturday, I joined Gerry Connolly’s family — his wife Smitty, daughter Caitlin and son-in-law Mark — to help unveil new signs to honor his legacy. Placed along the Connolly Cross County Trail, they honor his lasting contributions to Fairfax County and our parks, championing sustainability, open space and a more connected and resilient park system.

Gerry's visionary leadership led to the creation of this trail that spans 41.5-miles from the Potomac River at Great Falls to the Occoquan River at Lorton. Completed in 2005, the trail was also named in his honor. Thanks to Gerry’s Parkland Challenge, almost 20% of land in Fairfax County is owned as open space by government and partnering organizations. In fact, the Fairfax County Park Authority owns almost half this space — more than 23,800 acres.

Pilot Project to Automate

Loud Muffler Noise Enforcement

What’s happening: The county will pilot the use of automated sensors to detect excessively loud mufflers, and the police plan to install sensors at two locations as soon as January:

📍 Westpark Drive & Jones Branch Drive (Tysons)

📍 Richmond Highway & Lockheed Boulevard (Hybla Valley)

Fairfax County is implementing this 90-day pilot as allowed under a new state law, and the test will end in March. State law defines noisy exhaust systems as those that exceed 95 A-weighted decibels. This is louder than typical city traffic and equivalent to the sound emitted by a lawn mower.

Why it matters: My office has received many complaints over the past few years about loud mufflers, and this new technology may help address the problem. While the police wrote over 1,000 noise tickets last year, hopefully these sensors will make enforcement even more effective, keeping our roads and neighborhoods quieter.

Tickets: Under the law, fines may be up to $100. Because violations are a civil penalty, however, they won’t be reported to the DMV or a driver’s insurance company. Every violation detected by the sensors will be reviewed by an active Fairfax County Police officer before a ticket is issued.

Automated technology: The police will install sensors from Blue Line Solutions, and their system uses five microphones, two high-resolution cameras and LIDAR technology. It takes both photos and videos.

Data privacy: State law says the data may only be used for enforcing loud muffler violations, and the data must be purged 60 days after a fine has been paid. The county also must certify annually to the state that it’s following this policy. If Blue Line violates these terms, the law imposes a $1,000 fine per improper disclosure or use of the data.

Medicare 101 Workshops.

Get Help from Trained Counselors

What’s happening: Are you going to be eligible soon for Medicare or do you have Medicare and want to learn more about it? Feel confused or overwhelmed by all the options? Get help at free in-person or virtual workshops this month and next presented by the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program.

VICAP’s trained and certified volunteers will help you understand your options, navigate the Medicare system, and get the best insurance at the lowest cost.

Workshop dates: The in-person workshops are offered at various locations across the county, and seating is limited. Registration for workshops at libraries begin 30 days before the presentation date. In the Hunter Mill District, sessions will be offered at the Reston Community Center Hunters Woods on:

• Thursday, Oct. 1: Register online or in-person at RCC for this in-person session from 2-3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 4: Register online for this virtual session from 5-6:30 p.m.
• For more information about both workshops, call the Reston Community Center at 703-476-4500.

Get individualized help: If you need one-on-one help with Medicare, contact the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program at 703-324-5851 or send an email. Their counselors can help you understand your options, compare plans and apply for Medicare, including Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap, long-term care insurance and more.

What’s VICAP: It’s designed to provide free, confidential, in-depth education and counseling for people with Medicare, their families, and caregivers to help them make informed decisions about their care and benefits. Administered by the state, VICAP is exclusively offered through local Area Agencies for Aging, including Fairfax County’s. VICAP receives federal funding through the State Health Insurance Program that Congress established in 1990 to create a nationwide network of counselors for Medicare beneficiaries. 

Testify on Dominion-NextEra Energy Merger on Oct. 9 at Fairfax County Government Center

What’s happening: In August, I submitted a letter to the State Corporation Commission requesting that it hold regional, in-person public hearings on the proposed merger between Dominion Energy Inc. and NextEra Energy Inc.

So, I’m pleased that the SCC decided to hold a public hearing on Friday, Oct. 9 from 6-8 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center.

Florida-based NextEra announced its plans to buy Dominion in May.

Why it matters: If ultimately approved by the SCC, this transaction will create the world’s largest regulated electric utility. Dominion currently serves roughly 2.7 million customers in Virginia.

Sign up to testify: To testify on Oct. 9, register online. If you don’t testify in person, written comments may also be submitted online to the SCC through November 9.

Fairfax Animal Services Holds Free Pet Adoption at Reston Town Center on Friday

What's happening: Walk home with a new canine companion during a free pet adoption event this Friday, Oct. 2 from 4-7 p.m. at the Reston Town Center Pavillion. Fairfax County’s Animal Services will provide the pooches, and adoption fees will be waived whether you adopt on-the-spot or begin an Adoption Audition.

Free adoption and supplies: Your new furry family member will go home microchipped, along with a free leash, collar and food to get you started. Coupons for area vets will also be provided for your dog’s first checkup.

If you already have a dog at home, please bring him or her with you to meet their (and your) potential new canine companion.

Second event: If you miss this Friday, a second adoption event will be held on Friday, Oct. 30 from 4–7 p.m. at the Reston Town Center’s Mercury Fountain.

On Monday, I joined residents, Westwood Village President Claudia Diamond and county staff to cut the ribbon for the completed Old Courthouse Spring Branch and Ashgrove Trail restoration. Watch the video above to learn more.

Comprehensive Plan Amendment Clears the Way for Reston Community Center in Crescent Apartments Redevelopment

What’s happening: The Board approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment that gives the Reston Community Center Lake Anne the option to be included in the redevelopment of the Crescent Apartments. The change increased the non-residential uses at the Crescent site from 2,000 to 30,000 square feet, allowing a future center. I had initiated this amendment in May.

RCC’s plans: As I noted yesterday, there’s still an open question about the size and scope of what RCC plans to do. The size and scope of a future center at this location depends on how much it’s going to cost, and RCC’s ability to absorb it.

However, I also recognize that RCC is critical to revitalizing Lake Anne so I’ve asked their leaders to plan for a continued presence on Lake Anne Plaza.

Other possible uses: I’ve heard from some community members about the need for additional childcare facilities in the Lake Anne area. With the approved plan amendment, there may be a possibility for including other community-serving uses like a childcare center when the Crescent Apartments are rebuilt.

Next steps: With the door now open to move across the street, RCC will need to further evaluate their finances and options for a new future location at the Crecent. The Redevelopment and Housing Authority also continues to develop a solicitation to find a development partner for the Crescent Apartments. When this project gets ready to move to a rezoning application, I am directing the agency to work with the surrounding community on the design details, including possible traffic impacts as raised by two residents during yesterday’s public hearing.

Town Council Defers Decision on Green Hedges School Campus Until Oct. 1

The Vienna Town Council voted to defer a decision on the request for modifications of requirements to implement a proposed modernization of the Green Hedges School campus, located at 415 Windover Avenue, NW.

The written public comment period has been extended to Thursday, Oct. 1 by 4 p.m. Submit comments by email. The council is scheduled to consider the matter again at its regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 5. Learn more.

Meet the Mayor on October 2

Meet Mayor Linda Colbert as she holds office hours on Friday, June 5, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Nazzo Pazzo, 122 Branch Road, SE. Grab an espresso and sweet or savory treat with her and share what’s on your mind.

Oktoberfest Returns on Oct. 3

Get ready for great beer, food, craft vendors and live music at Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on historic Church Street. View the wines and beers on tap. This annual event is presented by the Vienna Business Association and town. 

Southside Park Habitat Restoration oct. 5

Help remove invasive plants at Southside Park on Monday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon. The park is located at 1317 Ross Drive, SW, and meet up at the Ware-Walker entrance. Advance sign-up is appreciated but not required. To sign up or for more information, email Jeremy Edwards or call 571-722-7005. 

🖼️Buy works from nine juried artists at the Reston Art Gallery’s artoberVA sale during the entire month of October.

🎵Vocal group BLOOM sings pop, jazz and neo-soul on Oct. 2 at Reston Town Square Park.

🎥Watch Disney’s “Beauty & The Beast” on Oct. 2 at the Reston Town Center Pavillion.

🩰Ballet Hispánico New York dances on Oct. 2 at McLean Community Center.

🎼Actor Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra headline ARTS by George! on Oct. 2 at the George Mason Center for the Arts.

📖Join a conversation with author Jason Bell on his book “Operation Sparrow: The Incredible True Story of the Spies Who Tricked Hitler and Won the War” on Oct. 3 at Fonts Books & Gifts in McLean.

🎪Celebrate Latino culture at Fiesta Fairfax on Oct. 3 at Old Town Square in Fairfax.

🪕Bluegrass band The Seldom Scene perform Oct. 3 at Reston Community Center.

🪈Raymi plays traditional and contemporary Andean music on Oct. 3 at Reston Community Center.

🌽🕳Compete in the Cornhole Classic to benefit Community Coalition for Haiti on Oct. 4 at Vienna Presbyterian Church.

🛍️Shop the Main St. Market on Oct. 4 in Old Town Fairfax.

📚Read Banned Books on Oct. 4 at Bards Alley in Vienna.

🎞️Watch movie “Ghost Light” on Oct. 5 at Reston Community Center.

🎹Pianist Mark Irchai plays the masterpieces on Oct. 8 at Reston Community Center.

🎥Watch feature films, documentaries and shorts at the Washington West Film Festival from Oct. 8-12 in Reston and Tysons.

🎤Jazz vocalist and flutist Emily Davis performs on Oct. 9 at Reston Town Square Park. 

🕵Watch a live murder mystery Dark & Stormy on Oct. 9 at Capital One Hall.

🚒Visit the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department’s family friendly open house on Oct. 10.

⚠️Attend a seminar on how to avoid being a scam victim on Oct. 10 at The Residence at Colvin Run.

🎸Vertical Horizon headlines Roctoberfest on Oct. 10 at Reston Town Center.

🩰 Virginia Ballet Company presents Poetry in Motion on Oct. 11 at Capital One Hall.

🎬 Watch the award-winning documentary “Holding Liat” and discuss it with the filmmaker on Oct. 12 at Reston Community Center. 

🎵 Listen to the Yale Whiffenpoofs on Oct. 15 at Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna.

𝄟⃝💞 Sopranessence sing operatic arias to Broadway favorites on Oct. 15 at Reston Community Center.

🎭 Reston Community Players present “Once Upon a Mattress” on Oct. 16-17 at Reston Community Center.

Find all events for these local organizations: Reston Community Center, Reston Town Center Association, Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Programs, Tephra ICA and Arts Fairfax. Find other community events in the Reston Letter.