Although not unexpected, many of you probably experienced sticker shock when you first saw your 2022 real estate tax assessment. If you know anyone who has sold or bought a home in the last year, you're aware that home values have gone up significantly in our area. Market values and other factors have resulted in an average increase in Hunter Mill District of 9.07 percent just during the past year, but many residents have seen increases of more than 20 percent. I encourage you to watch this video to learn more about how your tax assessment is determined.

While the Board of Supervisors does not determine tax assessments, we do set the tax rate and are very concerned about the financial impacts of these taxes on our residents. It is important to note that the estimated tax on the assessment notice you recently received is an estimate (required by state law) based on the current tax rate.

At our meeting next Tuesday, March 8, the Board will be advertising maximum potential tax rates for FY 2023, including rates for the real estate tax and the personal property tax. That means that the Board can set a lower tax rate, but it can't be higher. While home and auto values have increased, so have the needs of our county and school employees whose compensation during the COVID years has not kept up kept up with inflation. And other critical needs like affordable housing and taking care of our most vulnerable residents have increased also. When voting on the tax rate ceiling I will keep all these issues in mind, and would welcome your thoughts. There are many opportunities for you to provide input on the tax rate and the FY 2023 budget, which can be found below in this newsletter.

In addition, seniors and people with disabilities may qualify for real estate tax relief. The Board recently expanded the tax relief program, offering more relief and allowing more people to qualify. For 2022, the maximum gross income to qualify for tax relief was raised to $90,000, and the limit on net worth increased to $400,000.The filing deadline for tax relief is May 2 and you'll be notified about your tax relief status by June 30. Learn more.

If you have questions about your real estate assessments, call the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration at 703-222-8234, or contact my office at [email protected]

More information can also be found in the Feb. 23 newsletter. The FY 2023 Budget becomes effective July 1, 2022.

The next regular Board of Supervisors meeting is next Tuesday, March 8. More information.

My office and Task Force members are beginning the first phase of community outreach of the Task Force’s interim recommendations on the 14 areas of the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study. These interim recommendations have been received by the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development and are undergoing a comprehensive review. The Transportation chapter is also undergoing a thorough review by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. Input by the county agencies is expected by spring/early summer and community outreach will continue through the summer.

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]

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 code: 2330 638 6343. For information, contact Jose Delcid, 703-478-0283.

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.

The joint meeting of the McLean and Reston Police District Stations' Community Advisory Committees (CAC) is March 10 at 7 p.m. Courtney Arroyo, Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management and Security, along with other emergency management professionals will discuss preparing for emergencies, what hazards affect our area, and steps you can take to protect yourself. In addition, information will be provided on the Fairfax County Citizen Corps Council, which brings together our community’s public safety agencies, health care providers, other county support agencies, and the volunteer community to involve all citizens in emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, crime prevention, and emergency training.

You can join the virtual meeting at https://meet.goto.com/320967781

Key findings of Fairfax County's new climate projections report and the NASA DEVELOP report include:

Learn more.

Winners will have their photos displayed digitally on the Friends of Frying Pan Farm website. The per photo entry fee of $7 (adult) or $5 (youth 16 & under) will directly support the care and feeding of the animals and Frying Pan Farm Park. Judges will select the winning photos based on their personal interpretation of composition, creativity, impact and overall effect. If you have questions, email the Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park. Learn more.

In conjunction with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, residents are invited to attend a free event at Frying Pan Farm Park, Saturday, April 2. A self-guided adventure will guide your family to Frying Pan’s nature trails. The journey will wind down at the historic, 200-plus-year-old Meeting House, where you can enjoy Japanese teas. Learn more.