September 26, 2024

At our last meeting, the Board voted 9-1 to approve the FY 2024 Carryover Review, which included approximately $180 million in County surplus funds and $59.2 million in unspent pandemic federal aid. This spending comes in the SAME YEAR as a 7 percent increase in the tax bill of the average homeowner and in the SAME WEEK as discussing the need for more revenue generated by an up to 12 percent tax on prepared food and an admissions tax of up to 10 percent. These amounts do not include an equally large surplus by the school system that could not provide an answer as to how it spent $83M of last year’s surplus.

Although many of the items included in the carryover review were good – funding critical IT infrastructure, fire department equipment, victim services support, park maintenance, etc. – I voted against this spending because:

1)     We knew most of these critical needs existed, yet the Board deferred addressing them in the FY 2025 budget in order to fund other projects, including new spending on Board “priorities.” The Board has made a habit of funding important items out of carryover surpluses instead of including them in our priority setting during the budget process. Instead of weighing these important priorities against all of the priorities in our budget, the Board pushed them to be funded out of carryover when there is less public attention.



2)     The surplus shows that the Board could have provided tax relief for residents in the FY2025 budget process as we had more than a sufficient margin to save the average taxpayer hundreds of dollars by further reducing the tax rate. I was the only Supervisor to vote against the FY2025 budget.

3)     Surpluses have grown over the last five years. While the County cannot budget too closely to our estimated revenue to avoid a deficit, we maintain reserves in the case that there are major deviations. Our carryover surpluses for the past several years have increased substantially and demonstrate our capacity to save money for taxpayers. 

4)     There is no requirement to spend the surplus. Some or all of this surplus could have been carried over to next year’s budget, used to pay down our pension liabilities or pay down our bond debt. It may also have been able to be returned to taxpayers.

5)     Next year is expected to be a difficult budget year. County agencies have been asked to provide the County Executive with 10 percent budget reduction and the Board has put new taxes, including ones that the citizens have soundly rejected, on the table. These surplus spending decisions should be made in context of the overall budget and resident priorities.



During our discussion on the Carryover Review, I clarified with our budget staff that the Board is under no legal obligation to spend the surplus funds identified in the carryover package. My colleagues took issue with my use of the word “surplus” to describe the carryover funds. While the County historically has its preferred terms, carryover is understood by residents, businesses, the federal and state governments plainly as a surplus.

At our last Budget Committee meeting, the Board discussed the need for “revenue diversification,” which would be more plainly described as “new or increased taxes.” The revenue diversification methods the Board discussed included the need for more taxes generated by an up to 12 percent tax on prepared food, and increase in the Probate Tax, an increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax (hotel tax) and an Admissions Tax of up to 10 percent. Numerous people who testified at the carryover review public hearing mentioned that they opposed a meals tax especially when the County is running a surplus. As I reminded my colleagues, our residents are not stupid, they can see through the doublespeak. 

POAC Back-to-School

Attended the annual FCPS Back-to-School meeting of the Parents of Autistic Children (POAC) to hear and discuss the needs and concerns of their children.

Laurel Hill Garden Club

Thank you to the Laurel Garden Club West Springfield-Burke VA for their continuing efforts to beautify the West Springfield Government Center. The results of Saturday morning’s work are amazing - I can’t thank you enough.

Chantilly High School Poli Sci Presentation

Joined Mr. Clement’s political science class at Chantilly High School for a discussion on the importance of local government, its challenges, how I get things done as a minority member of the Board by focusing on common sense solutions the residents want and the unfortunately increasing role politics plays in local government. I very much enjoyed the discussion.

Other News and Information

• Early Voting is Underway
• Active Transportation Plan: Your input is needed on bicycle and pedestrian facility planning
• Help Needed at the Polls for the General Election!
• Congrats to ArtsFairfax Operating Support Grantees
• Free Shredding Event to benefit ECHO this Saturday (Sept 28^th)
• Celebrate Communication 2024 (Sept 28^th)
• Land Unit K [Fairfax Center] Planning Study Community Meeting (Oct 3^rd)
• Spartan300 Returns (Oct 4^th)
• Second Story’s Beacon of Hope Fundraiser (Oct 23^rd)

Early Voting is Underway

In-person early voting for the November 5th General Elections is underway at three locations in Fairfax County (see below). Thirteen additional early voting locations will open on October 17. Please make a plan to vote early. For locations, times and additional details on early voting, please visit:

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/early-voting

Active Transportation Plan: Your input is needed on Bicycle and Pedestrian facility planning

The Fairfax County Dept. of Transportation is hosting a series of meetings to solicit feedback from county residents regarding its plan to merge and update the County’s existing Bicycle Master Plan and the Countywide Trails Plan into one Active Transportation and Trail Network. In addition to attending an upcoming meeting, there are several options to provide feedback to the County regarding the proposed plan (you can email, pin a comment directly on the draft map, and/or complete a survey). Please share your thoughts with the County so we know what infrastructure and facilities are needed, be it a “missing piece” or a larger active transportation connection. Two in-person meetings will be held in October and four virtual meetings in November; for more information, visit the project website.

Help Needed at the Polls for the General Election!

The Fairfax County Office of Elections is looking for community members to serve as election officers for the November 5, 2024 election.

In particular, bilingual officers who speak Korean and Vietnamese are needed. This is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbors and help your community!

You will receive $250 as a thank you for your service.

Learn more and apply at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/officers/new-officers.

Congratulations to ArtsFairfax Operating Support Grantees

ArtsFairfax announced that 58 local arts and culture organizations were funded through their grant program – providing funds for programs and services to Fairfax residents.

Congratulations to the Brass Band of Northern Virginia, the Fairfax Jubil-aires, and the Springfield Art Guild for being this year’s recipients from the Springfield District! 

ECHO Hosts Free Shredding Event this Saturday, September 28^th

This Saturday, September 28^th from 9am to noon, ECHO is hosting a food collection (donations for non-perishable food and personal care items) and free document shredding event at Burke Presbyterian Church (5690 Oak Leather Dr). Please share with your neighbors.

Celebrate Communication 2024 Information Fair on September 28^th

Join the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Persons for their Celebrate Communication information fair on September 28^th at the Springfield Town Center. Last year’s fair was a huge success with more than 350 visitors, so make plans to attend this year and enjoy the great galleries and sponsors. Admission is free. It runs from 11am until 3pm and will include face-painting, a mascot, and much more!

Land Unit K [Fairfax Center] Planning Study Community Meeting on October 3^rd

On October 3^rd, planning and zoning staff from the county will host a community meeting to discuss the Land Unit K Planning Study in the Fairfax Center area. The meeting begins at 7pm and information on the study, including the virtual link, can be accessed here: Plan Amendment 2024-II-1FC | Planning Development (fairfaxcounty.gov)

14^th Annual Spartan300 Returns on October 4^th

The Charity of Spartan 300 fundraiser returns on October 4^th, starting at 6pm at the American Legion in Springfield. This event is about Spartans helping Spartans. It provides financial support to former classmates, faculty and staff who attended or worked at West Springfield High School (WSHS) that are experiencing hardships. I am proud to support this organization and I look forward to this event each year. To learn more about the Charity of Spartan 300, please visit their page at: https://spartan300charity.org/

Second Story’s Beacon of Hope Fundraiser on October 23^rd

Second Story is an incredible organization dedicated to providing safe housing and expand opportunities for homeless youth and teens in crisis. On October 23^rd, starting at 8am, they will once again host their annual “Beacon of Hope” breakfast fundraiser to support their mission. It is their only fundraising event of the year, so register and join them at Westwood Country Club to empower local youth and communities lacking resources and face significant challenges.

For more information on the event and to sponsor, see this link: Save the Date - Second Story (second-story.org)