March 16, 2022
Neighbors,
At our Budget Policy Committee meeting yesterday, county staff briefed the Board of Supervisors on the impact of soaring car values – for both new and used cars – on this year's car tax. Our budget staff noted that almost 90% of Fairfax County vehicle owners may experience a substantial increase in the assessed value of vehicles due to values estimated in January 2022 by JD Power. JD Power is used by all localities in the Commonwealth of Virginia as their primary source for assessing a car's value.
This is tough news, especially since many of our residents are being impacted by high real estate assessments due to the hot real estate market. The Board is reviewing options to see what will be the best way forward to reduce the financial strain on our residents. More information will be forthcoming during our budget discussions. Here are some key points:
- This increase in car values – combined with the declining impact of state Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA) funds – would result in an increase of $186 in the average vehicle tax bill during the coming year. Chairman Jeff McKay noted in our meeting that the county has not seen an increase state tax relief funds for more than a decade and recommended a letter from the Board to Governor Glenn Youngkin.
- The recommendation by county staff is for the Board to reduce the ratio of the car value being assessed. Historically it has been assessed at 100% but given the volatility of car prices, state law allows for the assessment to be reduced – and county staff suggested setting assessments at 85% of the published JD Power values. This would only be for vehicles during the 2023 tax year while the market remains unsettled. The Board would then reassess on how to move forward.
- Per state requirements, the county's car tax bills are mailed to car owners in July and are due Oct. 5. The Department of Tax Administration will provide communications (which will be included in this newsletter), including an insert in the bill.
-
You can review yesterday's presentation here and watch the discussion here.
-
I also encourage you to attend my budget town hall on March 30 (details below), which will include representatives from the Department of Tax Administration and the Department of Management and Budget. You can also send questions to my office at [email protected]
Respectfully,
Walter
|
|
College Intern Search: I am looking for an exceptional college student with a passion for public service for a paid internship in my office this summer. This internship provides the opportunity to get hands-on experience in local government. Interviews will be virtual. Learn more.
|
|
COVID-19 Update (March 16) |
|
Important Note About Community Transmission
The CDC's COVID-19 Community Levels is a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.
With many of us traveling, even just to other counties in Virginia, it is important to have an understanding of the community transmission so we know whether to wear a mask and take other precautions. Moving forward we will provide a link to the CDC's county map tool so you can be informed about the community transmission in our county, or wherever you are planning to travel in the U.S. In addition, you will still find the popular link to the county's dashboard if you want additional data.
Fairfax County: Green – Low Transmission Level
|
|
Stuff the Bus is This Saturday, March 19 |
|
Stuff the Bus returns this Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you can, please help our neighbors in need with food donations. The donation sites are:
-
North County Governmental Center,1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston
- Patrick Henry Library,101 Maple Avenue, East, Vienna
|
|
I am hosting two tax relief workshops by appointment at the North County Governmental Center on March 28 and April 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact the Department of Tax Administration at 703-324-2550 to schedule an appointment. The North County Governmental center is located at 1801 Cameron Glenn Dr. in Reston.
|
|
FY 2023 Proposed Budget Town Hall
is Wednesday March 30
|
|
Key Points:
What to Know About the Proposed Budget:
Provide Your Input:
-
Email: [email protected]
-
Virtual Budget Town Hall on Wednesday, March 30, 7 to 9 p.m.: The meeting will be hosted on the Webex platform. Melanie Meren, Fairfax County School Board representative for Hunter Mill District and Christina Jackson, Fairfax County's Chief Financial Officer will also be participating. The meeting will be hosted on the Webex platform. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. To listen to the meeting on your phone, call 1-844-621-3956 and use access code: 2334 051 4882. You also can watch the meeting on YouTube Live.
-
Public Hearings: Board of Supervisors' public hearings are scheduled for April 12-14.
More information can also be found in the Feb. 23 newsletter. The FY 2023 Budget becomes effective July 1, 2022.
|
|
Board of Supervisors Update |
|
The Board of Supervisors held several committee meetings yesterday, March 15. Links to review presentations and watch the meetings are below:
The next full Board of Supervisors meeting is next Tuesday, March 22. Details.
|
|
Land Use and Transportation |
|
Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force Update
The first phase of community outreach of the Task Force’s interim recommendations on the 14 areas of the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study is underway. These interim recommendations are undergoing a comprehensive review by county staff. Their input is expected by spring/early summer and community outreach will continue through the summer. Several presentations have already been made by task force members to community stakeholders with more to be scheduled. To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the Task Force, visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage. The archive of meeting details and agendas is here. The video archive of all past task force meetings can be found on my YouTube page. If you have questions or would like to provide input, please email [email protected]
Reston Planning & Zoning Virtual Meeting, Monday, March 21, 7:30 p.m.
The meeting is hosted on the Webex platform. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to only listen to the meeting, you may call 1-844-621-3956 and use Access Code: 2342 796 1153. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. More information.
|
|
Replacement of Invasive Trees on Nutley Avenue
The view will soon change along the Nutley Street median. Work is expected to begin next week to replace invasive Callery pear trees with native species. Watch this video to learn more about the project.
Get Involved with Liberty Amendments Month This Summer
The Town is seeking volunteers to be a part of the second annual Liberty Amendments Month. Opportunities include volunteering at events, sponsorship, or presenting an event or program as part of the celebration. Learn more about Liberty Amendments Month or contact Lily Widman via email or at 703-255-5738.
|
|
Fire Station 25 Grand Opening Rescheduled
Due to last Saturday's winter storm, the grand opening of Reston's new Fire Station 25 has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 16 at 10 a.m. The station is located at 1820 Wiehle Ave. For more information, contact Ashley Hildebrandt
|
|
Electrical Vehicle Charging Station Locator |
|
If you are one of many Hunter Mill residents who have purchased or are considering purchasing an electrical vehicle, here is a handy locator map to help you find publicly accessible charging stations. This resource from the U.S. Department of Energy can help you find stations near your home, work, or on the road when traveling.
|
|
Colvin Run Miller's House Reopens
The public is invited to Colvin Run Mill on Sunday, April 3, from 1 to 4 p.m. as the Miller’s House reopens. After extensive renovation, the house now offers an interactive design representing home life in the early and late 1800s. Learn more.
To Support Refugees Fleeing War and Strife
Reston Community Center’s Diva Central Returns Saturday, March 26
All area high school and middle school students are invited to shop for free formal dresses and accessories, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.at RCC Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. Learn more.
|
|
Stay Informed and In Touch |
|
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
