At Tuesday's Board meeting, we received the County Executive's Proposed FY 2025 Budget Plan. This is the first step of the Board's months long, community-driven process to consider the County Executive's budget recommendations. I will hold our virtual District Budget Town Meeting on March 13, followed by our numerous Budget Q&As and public Budget Committee meetings, culminating in Board Public Hearings April 16 - 18 and Budget Adoption on May 7. I have many concerns about the County Executive's proposals and look forward to listening and working with you to reduce costs to taxpayers, while addressing higher priorities.

We have known, based on budget projections, that this was going to be a tough budget year and the County Executive's Proposed Budget reflects that. Although $36 million and 86 positions were identified as budget reductions, the County Executive proposes a 4-cent increase in the Real Estate Tax rate from $1.095 to $1.135 per $100 of assessed value to balance the proposed budget. Another key topic in our budget discussions is the state's chronic underfunding of schools and our K-12 students, called out in the recent Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) study. The study found that the state underfunds Virginia schools by approximately $1900 per student, based on the 50-state average and even more here in Northern Virginia, given our much higher costs. Proposed budget highlights:

You can provide budget feedback online, by phone, text or email, at my Budget Town Meeting on March 13 and Board budget hearings in April. Learn more about the County Budget process.

At the meeting we also recognized several community leaders who passed recently. Former Mayor of the City of Fairfax John Mason served as President and CEO of the Workhouse Arts Center from 2011 - 2015, among other regional leadership positions. John was a transformative leader who used his military and business background, local government connections and his love for the arts to guide the Workhouse through significant financial challenges. Cathy Riley was a decades long business woman, public servant and leader with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. Cathy, an amazing developer of people and property, had a tremendous impact on the economic growth of the County and Virginia. We also recently lost a local leader in Newington resident and Calvary Road Baptist Church Youth Pastor Kevin Corey who was severely burned in a tragic accident at his home in late January.

I also noted we had two pedestrian and one vehicular crash death on Richmond Highway in the past week. I have asked Deputy County Executive Tom Arnold to provide me with updated information on the number of deaths and crashes on Richmond Highway in the last ten years. This is also a good time to remember the County's "Take a Moment" Safety Campaign. Take a Moment to put your phone down. Take a Moment to look both ways when you cross the street. Take a Moment to look for pedestrians in the roadway. We can all make a difference.

Respectfully yours in public service,

Dan Storck

The following are highlights from the Board of Supervisors February 20, 2024 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 February 20, 2024 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 3: Approved two speed humps on Karl Road, as part of the Residential Traffic Administration Program (RTAP) and at the request of the neighborhood. The full item can be read here.

Item 1: Approved a licensing agreement with Bikes for the World (BfW) to continue to have a drop off location at the I-95 Landfill Complex. BfW collects recycled bikes to provide to affordable transportation options to low-income people around the globe. To date, BfW has recovered 3,170 salvageable bikes from the I-95 Landfill collection site. The full item can be read here.

Approved the property owners request to re-establish 26.22 acres of land named Holly Spring on Harley Drive as an Agricultural and Forestal (A&F) District. The land was originally designated an A&F District in 1988, but expired in 2021. This request and approval will help protect and preserve this property. The full item can be read here.

It’s time to let the dogs out! On Sunday, March 24, the Mount Vernon District and the Fairfax County Park Authority are hosting our annual Ides of Bark Dog Festival from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Grist Mill Park. Participants will receive treats from local canine businesses, play in the dog park, learn pet care and pet CPR from pet technicians and enjoy some delicious food from a local Mount Vernon District business, Chalkboard Wings & BBQ. The Festival is a great day with our furry, four legged friends and their humans to meet others and enjoy a day in the park.

This amazing community event could not happen without the incredible support of the Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax County Fire Department, local animal organizations and our wonderful vendors. My sincerest appreciation goes out to each of these groups and I invite everyone to join us on March 24! 

Since 2009, South County residents, young and old, have eagerly anticipated the annual Ron Kowalski Real Estate Group's Monopoly Tournament. Ron initiated this tradition to bring the Lorton community together and to spotlight local community non-profits. Initially, proceeds benefited the Workhouse Arts Center and Habitat for Humanity, but for the past 11 years, the focus has been on supporting the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC). Throughout these 15 years, Ron and his Real Estate Group have raised nearly $80,000 in support of these local causes. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, February 24, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Lorton.

The Monopoly tournament holds special significance for the LCAC as it not only provides funding for families in need, but also serves as a platform to raise awareness about their vital work. This increased awareness leads to more volunteers and support, allowing the LCAC to broaden its impact. Last year alone, the LCAC aided 380 families with weekly food distributions, emergency rental assistance, job training, English classes and so much more.

Local businesses and groups also play a vital role, with the Woodbridge Moose Lodge generously offering free venue space, the South County Cares Church providing breakfast and Antonelli’s Pizza and Subs providing lunch for participants.

Request to Develop Plan to Protect Nesting Birds on the I-95 Landfill Complex - Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisor James Walkinshaw

Fairfax County is a leader in environmental and conservation efforts and the I-95 landfill can be considered as the largest and most important grassland in the eastern part of the County. The County is also poised to become a leader in grassland management on landfills.

Current environmental uses of the landfill include pollinator meadow areas and active beehives that are part of the George Mason University Honey Bee Initiative. Future uses include a 5-MW solar field with energy generation expected 2025 and native plantings throughout the installation.

The landfill is also a unique nesting area for grassland birds, who nest between April 1 and mid-July. Grassland birds are critical species that depend on grasslands to survive. DPWES currently has an agreement with the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia that allows for monitoring and bird counts on the landfill. As a result of this activity, Mount Vernon resident Glenda Booth, in coordination with the Audubon Society, reached out to me to request that the County limit mowing on the landfill during grassland bird nesting season. 

Through discussions with Chris Herrington and Eric Forbes, DPWES is supportive of this request. However, the closed landfill has DEQ requirements and a post closure plan. Routine mowing is needed to allow for inspection of the integrity of the landfill cap, access to landfill gas wells, and stormwater drainage structures. A plan to protect the grassland birds during the nesting season will need to be developed, incorporating considerations for continued landfill operations. Staff will need to coordinate any changes to the operations and Post Closure Plan with DEQ.  

More than 357,000 updated 2024 real estate assessment notices are being mailed to all property owners. Based on equalization changes (market-driven value increases or decreases), countywide residential real estate assessments are up an average of 2.86%, with the average assessment for all homes at $744,526. In 2023, the countywide average home assessment was $723,825. Learn more.

An underperforming real estate market combined with a substantial funding increase request from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), employee salary and benefits requirements and other expenditure pressures have created a challenging Fiscal Year 2025 budget picture for Fairfax County. County Executive Bryan Hill has proposed a 4-cent tax rate increase to balance the advertised budget. Learn more.

Early voting is happening now here at the Mount Vernon Governmental Center (2511 Parkers Lane) for the March 5 presidential primary election. This is a primary for both the Republican and Democratic candidates for president. In Virginia, voters do not register by political party, and you may only cast a ballot in one of the presidential primary elections. Starting Saturday, February 24, the County will open an additional 13 early voting sites, including the Lorton Community Center (9520 Richmond Highway).

Hours of operation vary based on location and the last day to vote early is Saturday, March 2, at 5 p.m. Hours for the Mount Vernon Governmental Center and the Lorton Community Center:

Proposed CBPO amendment to incorporate new state-mandated regulatory requirements for requests to build in the Resource Protection Area to preserve mature trees and adapt to rising sea level and storm surge based on climate change. Please note that the two sessions will feature the same presentation.

A virtual information session on a proposed amendment to the PFM to modify the existing provision regarding requests to waive the requirement to install street lights by adding criteria that must be considered before it can be approved by the Director of LDS. Please note that the two sessions will feature the same presentation.

The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals has upcoming openings for two members. One seat will become available on February 21 and the other on June 14. Interested candidates must apply by March 15 to the Fairfax Circuit Court, which appoints the board’s seven members. Applicants should send their resume to Chief Judge Penney S. Azcarate, Fairfax Circuit Court, by email entitled “Board of Zoning Appeals Application” to [email protected] OR by first-class U.S. mail to Chief Judge Penney Azcarate, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. Learn more.

On Tuesday, February 6, the Board of Supervisors amended the Zoning Ordinance to allow accessory outdoor dining associated with food establishments, such as restaurants and craft beverage production establishments. Integrating outdoor dining into the County's regulations has the potential to enhance the pedestrian experience, activate street-level environments and contribute to the vibrancy of commercial areas. Learn more.