At this week's Board of Supervisor's meeting we approved the County Executive's recommendation to advertise the FY 2024 Budget and a flat, maximum real estate tax rate for FY 2024 of $1.11 per $100 of assessed value. The revenue projections included in the County Executive's FY 2024 Advertised Budget Plan are based on the current Real Estate Tax rate. Advertising this rate does not prevent the Board from lowering the advertised tax rate, but a higher tax rate cannot be imposed. I'm committed to lowering the tax rate as we work through the proposed budget over the next couple months.

Read my current budget message and join me for next week's meetings:

Dan Storck

The following are highlights from the Board of Supervisors March 7, 2023 meeting, including items of particular interest to Mount Vernon residents. For additional information, please go to the County’s Board Agenda and Meeting Schedule. The clerk to the board's official Summary of Board Actions is available the week following each meeting. Information is also available by a video linked to the board agenda and the Board of Supervisors Highlights podcast. 

Para recibir la información de nuestro boletín electrónico en español, o para hablar con un hispanohablante, comuníquese con Madeleine Carcamo Reyes a su preferencia, por teléfono al (703) 780-7518 o por correo electrónico: [email protected].

To view the March 7, 2023 Board Package click here. For a complete listing of public hearings held and approved, please see the Clerk to the Board's official Summary of Board Actions, available the week following each meeting.

Item 2: Approved installation of a speed hump for Fort Drive, at the request of the community. The full item can be read here.

Item 3: Authorized the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board to apply for and accept $540,000 in grant funding from Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services supporting the expansion of substance use treatment and recovery services for adolescents and their families. The full item can be read here.

Item 4: Authorized the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services to apply for and accept $11,630,699 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services associated with the consolidated application of Head Start, Early Head Start and Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships Expansion Grants. The full item can be read here.

Item 5: Authorized the publication of the FY 2024 Budget and required tax rates and the advertised Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2024-2028. The full item can be read here.

Item 1: Approved the reciprocal agreement between the Virginia Department of State Police and Fairfax County during the Police Unity Tour, which rides through Mount Vernon and stops at the Mount Vernon Police Station. The full item can be read here.

Item 2: Approved the annual Disease Carrying Insects Program. The full item can be read here.

Item 3: Approved the Forest Pest Management Program for calendar year 2021. This program helps protect the County's forests. The full item can be read here.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) refers to several processes, tools and techniques used to manage and resolve conflict. ADR is an alternative to traditional adversarial processes and helps disputing parties reach mutually agreeable outcomes that consider the needs of all involved and minimize cost, while improving communication and morale. Alternative Dispute Resolution services have been especially relevant throughout the pandemic in helping employees navigate high levels of stress, communicate effectively and build team relationships.

Fairfax County historically celebrates March as ADR month, and each year chooses a leader in this field to receive recognition. This year the ADR Office would like to recognize the Alternative Accountability Program (AAP). The AAP serves as one strategy to address disproportionate minority youth representation in criminal justice proceedings. AAP is the result of many years of collaboration and dedication to provide alternatives to the traditional justice system. The program is a collaborative effort between the Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services and NVMS Conflict Resolution Center.

Directed the County recognize March as Alternative Dispute Resolution Month in Fairfax County; and that a proclamation be signed by the Chairman and myself to be presented to the AAP agency outside the Board Room.

Supervisor Dan Storck Jointly with Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisor Rodney Lusk

Request for BOS to send History Commission Letter on Potential Re-Naming of Fort Belvoir to the Secretary of the Army - Joint Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisor Rodney Lusk

In May 2021, the National Defense Authorization Act considered military bases across the country for potential renaming. Fort Belvoir was added to the list of bases.

The final Naming Commission report was then released in September 2022. The Naming Commission strongly encouraged the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Army to review these historical facts and consider renaming Fort Belvoir based on existing protocols for the naming/renaming of installations and facilities.

According to the History Commission members who researched the history of the Fort Belvoir name, the findings regarding Fort Belvoir are limited with specific inaccuracies and omissions. In addition, based on their letter sent to Chairman McKay and I on February 4, 2023, the Fairfax County History Commission believes that the Naming Commission’s report does not reflect a full and accurate picture of the events that led to Belvoir’s renaming. 

We fully support the recommendation made by the History Commission on the potential renaming. Any action taken by the Army to rename Fort Belvoir should be transparent, based on evidence and include the local community and stakeholders. Also, removing the name Belvoir may reduce the likelihood that these stories of the enslaved African Americans and the free black residents who lived on base will be told. Read the full Board Matter.

Fairfax County Design & Environment Achievement Awards 2022 - Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay

I am pleased to announce that Fairfax County’s Environmental Excellence Awards, Exceptional Design Awards and Friends of Trees Awards will be presented at a special evening ceremony at the Fairfax County Government Center on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with a reception to follow in the Forum. The Awards Ceremony will be televised, livestreamed and archived by Fairfax County’s Channel 16.

In the past, we have presented these awards during morning presentations at Board Meetings. A special evening event is planned to draw greater attention to the awards, better honor our recipients, and accommodate the attendance of family members, friends, and coworkers. Walter Hamilton, III from Land Development Services has graciously agreed to serve as our emcee.

March 21: Plan Amendment 2021-CW-1CP Affordable Housing Preservation.

March 8: Plan Amendment 2021-CW-T2 Fairfax County and Franconia-Springfield Pkwy Study. Incorporate Recommendations from the Fairfax County and Franconia-Springfield Parkway Long Term Planning Study Countywide

March 15: SE-2021-MV-00018 Olde Towne Pet Resort Springfield LLC, 8101 Alban Rd, Springfield. To permit the use of existing and proposed outdoor components associated with an existing indoor kennel.

March 22: VC-2022-MV-00003 Olde Towne Pet Resort Springfield LLC, 8101 Alban Rd, Springfield. To allow existing and proposed fences measuring 8.0 feet in height in the front yards adjacent to Alban Road and Interstate 95 (Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway), and for relief of the requirement for permitted extensions into minimum required setbacks for proposed awnings. Concurrent with SE-2021-MV-00018.

The National Park Service will be performing emergency concrete pavement repairs on the southern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway near Waynewood Boulevard over the next two weeks. Drivers should expect to see workers on the road between Tuesday, March 14 and Sunday, March 19 and between Friday, March 24 and Sunday, March 26. Please note that these dates and timeline are weather permitting.

During the work, traffic will be reduced to two lanes. One lane of traffic going northbound and one lane of traffic going southbound will be open at all times, but drivers should expect delays. During the weekdays, (March 14, 15, and 16) the work will take place between 9:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. During the weekends, work will begin on the Friday (March 17 and 24) at 9:30 a.m. and continue through early Monday morning (March 20 and 27) at 5:30 a.m. Please use caution in the area and plan for delays.

The BRT Executive Committee will meet March 10 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 p.m. at the Workforce & Innovation Skills Hub (WISH) at the Hybla Valley Community Center (7950 Audubon Ave) to discuss the Community Charm and Station Design artwork. View the meeting agenda and the meeting presentation.

As part of the BRT Station design process, the Executive Committee and BRT Project team made the decision to engage local high school art students to design the public art for the stations. Submissions for station designs that will be reviewed on Friday include those from the students at Mount Vernon HS, West Potomac HS and Hayfield HS. Station designs for the Gum Springs & Hyland Center BRT stations will be submitted separately by the Gum Springs Community Center and the South County Teen Center, respectively, and discussed at a later meeting.

This meeting is open to the public. Please join and share your thoughts! For those unable to attend, a survey will be sent out shortly after the meeting to gather additional feedback about the artwork. A link will be provided in subsequent communications from our office.

The Mount Vernon Regional Historical Society will sponsor a book presentation by recently retired History Professor Alice Reagan on "The History of the Lorton Prison." The event will be held on Sunday, March 19 from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Governmental Center at 2511 Parkers Lane. All are welcome to attend.

The recent earthquakes in Türkiye have had a devastating impact to the community in that region. More than 30,000 people have died and millions have been displaced due to the damage caused by the earthquakes and aftershocks. On Friday, March 3, Northern Virginia elected leaders and officials gathered to launch a fundraising effort organized by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) to collect money to purchase food packages for those impacted by the earthquakes. Learn more.

The Little Hunting Creek Gravity Sewer Replacement Project included installation of a new 12-inch cast-iron pipe running parallel to the existing 12-inch diameter, cast-iron pipe that was constructed in 1961 running beneath Little Hunting Creek between Woodland Lane and Thomas J. Stockton Parkway for 845 linear feet. Over time, this sanitary line developed multiple sags that were regularly causing blockages that had to be cleaned and flushed and was at imminent risk of complete pipe failure. The existing pipe was filled with flowable fill and abandoned in place. The project was performed within a body of water with tidal-influenced conditions and strict time of year restrictions to protect the aquatic life, preserve the natural grades and stream banks as well as to maintain the quality of water and allow navigation within the creek. This project was substantially complete on August 18, 2022. This project has also been recently awarded the 2023 “Project of the Year” Award by the APWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter – Environment, for projects under $25 Million. Learn more and view photos.

March is Social Work Month – a time to recognize, appreciate and celebrate the important work of social workers. Social workers with the Department of Family Services help break down barriers that prevent people from living more fulfilling, enriched lives. Here are a few examples of the work they do on behalf of children, families, people impacted by gender-based violence, older adults and adults with disabilities. Learn more.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors have proclaimed March as Developmental Disabilities Inclusion Month. Many individuals with developmental disabilities are participating in the social, economic and civic life in Fairfax County and their contributions are invaluable to our community. Learn more about developmental disabilities and programs and resources offered in Fairfax County and check out this video as Chairman McKay reads the proclamation for Developmental Disabilities Inclusion Month.