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Issue 114
Friday, April 29, 2022
Prince William County
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Dear Neighbors,
On Tuesday evening the Board adopted the FY2023 Budget, which will go into effect July 1, 2022. This budget advances the County’s strategic priorities by investing in our public school system, health and wellbeing initiatives for the most vulnerable, as well as public safety staffing, support of local businesses, environmental, and sustainability initiatives. It also funds the parks and transportation referendum projects approved by the community as well as debt service and technology operating costs derived from the County’s Capital Improvement Program.
In an effort to fund these investments the Board took some key actions:
- Nationally, home values have risen dramatically. To mitigate this impact on local residents, the Board reduced the real estate tax rate from $1.115 to $1.03 per $100 of assessed value and reduced the fire levy rate from $0.08 to $0.075 per $100 of assessed value. This results in the average residential real estate tax bill increase of $189 ($172 from the real estate tax and $17 from the fire levy).
- Uncharacteristically, automobile values have recently appreciated due to supply chain issues. To mitigate this impact on residents, the Board reduced the vehicle assessment ratio from 100% to 80% of the National Automobile Dealers (NADA) pricing guide.
- To off-set these reductions and increase revenues to fund vital programs for our residents, the Board increased the business tangible computer and peripheral tax rate by $0.15 to $1.65 per $100 of assessed value and implemented a 4% meals tax. This tax extends beyond residents by generating revenues from the vast numbers of people who recognize Prince William County as a great destination and choose to dine here.
I am a supporter of this budget because:
- We continue to move towards diversifying our tax base and strive to alleviate the burden on residents of our County.
- We are investing in our community in a way that truly meets the needs of our residents.
- This budget advances the County’s strategic priorities assembled by residents in consultation or partnership with County staff, as well as several Board directives.
- Establishes a Crisis Receiving Center and trauma treatment program for mental health services.
- Develops and implements a community energy master plan.
- Shows a commitment to our employees by investing in employee compensation.
In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Some of the FY2023 Specific Area Impacts |
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Quality Education and Workforce Development Continue to support K-12 education with the County/schools revenue-sharing agreement, which provides 57.23% of general revenue to Prince William County Schools. This means the new budget will provide $715.1 million, an increase of $59.3 million, or 9%, from the current budget.
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Health, Wellbeing & Human Services
Provide much needed resources to reduce client waitlists in mental health, substance abuse, developmental disability, and emergency services programs. Increase Social Services staffing to address benefits eligibility, childcare applications and renewals, and provide hypothermia homeless services in partnership with community non-profits. Provide contractual funding for psychiatric services at the crisis receiving center for adult clients experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
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Safe & Secure Community
Support a police civilianization plan to enable 16 sworn staff positions currently performing administrative duties to serve in patrol or other assignments directly serving the community. Additional Commonwealth’s Attorney staffing to address felony, misdemeanor, and traffic case workloads. Resources for the Circuit Court, Sheriff, and Clerk to the Circuit Court to support a new state-funded Circuit Court judge. Funding for new Sheriff deputies and additional telecommunicators in the Office of Public Safety Communications.
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Resilient Economy
Continue to provide grants to small businesses recovering from the pandemic through the Restore Retail Grant program and Ignite 2.0 program to assist high-growth startups. Provide the staffing resources to increase capacity in the county’s Targeted Industry Program, which provides expedited plan review for qualifying projects.
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Environmental Conservation
Provide funding to begin implementing action strategies contained in the Community Energy Master Plan, once the plan is developed by the Sustainability Commission and approved by the Board. Increase funding for constructing drainage improvements and restoring streams consistent with state and federal water quality mandates.
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Transportation & Mobility
Provide the resources necessary to advance mobility projects included in the November 2019 bond referendum. Maintain the Transportation Roadway Improvement Program, which funds mobility projects such as sidewalks, trails, and safety improvements in the county. Sustain the Virginia Railway Express and Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission transit services.
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Friday, April 29, the FDA issued a statement on tentative dates for meetings of its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) in anticipation of complete submissions of emergency use authorization requests in the coming months that have been publicly announced by COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers. |
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The tentative meetings scheduled for the VRBPAC are:
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The MRC is a force of dedicated volunteers who stand ready to support the community in the event of a public health emergency. Each of the twenty-two local MRC units across Virginia are comprised of teams of medical and public health professionals, along with interested non-medical community members. Learn more about joining MRC COVID-19 response team here. |
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Protecting Yourself and Others:
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Tuesday, May 10
2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Links to the agenda and to register to participate in Public Comment Time remotely will be shared in issue prior to the meeting.
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Millions Awarded in Grant Program |
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The PWC Community Grant Program ( issue 102 County News) has awarded more than $6 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to 33 nonprofit organizations. The grants range from $10,000 to $300,000 and are to be used for COVID-19 recovery efforts. The remaining $10 million in the grant program will be awarded in a second round of funding in early 2023. Read about the grant winners here. |
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"As we move into this next phase of recovery from the pandemic, we are hoping to address some of the lasting impacts on our community. Many of the recipients chosen by the Greater Prince William Alliance address these impacts as well as continue to support our community into the future."
Ann Wheeler
Chair At-Large Board of County Supervisors
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Honoring Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice |
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Wednesday, May 11, at 7:00 pm, the memorial and tribute service for fallen law enforcement officers who lived, or served, in greater PWC, will be held in the Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Government Building, at 15941 Donald Curtis Drive in Woodbridge. The annual event, which includes a candlelight vigil service, is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the PWC Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association and honors the lives and service of 18 men and women who lived, or served, in PWC and died in the line of duty.
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Voting is now open in the InsideNoVa's Best of Prince William 2022 contest! You can vote in as many or as few categories and sub-categories as you like. Maximum of one vote per person per sub-category per day. Voting ends Saturday, April 30, at 11:59 pm. You must register or log in with your email address in order to vote. Winners will be published in InsideNoVa/Prince William in mid-July. |
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To submit an unlisted nomination, simply write it in in the appropriate category. Nominations will be reviewed for accuracy and to ensure they are located in Prince William before being added to the ballot. |
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Mental Health and Wellness Expo |
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Saturday, May 21, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, the Mental Health Committee of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Prince William County Chapter, Inc., is hosting an In-Person Mental Health and Wellness Expo at Freedom High School, located at 15201 Neabsco Mills Road in Woodbridge. The collaborative event is focused on educating students, parents, and the community about mental health, stress, and wellness. The day will be filled with important information from vendors, as well as student and community performances, door prizes, games, exercises, food, and fun for the entire family. |
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The Tummy- Yum Yum Caramel Apple food truck will be there along with informational tables hosted by PWC Environmental Groups. Additionally, Apple Federal Credit Union is having a $50 Youth Savings Promotion. |
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Thursday, May 26, 9:30 am to 11:00 am, Leadership Prince William is hosting an informational session on its Signature Program. There will be a brief presentation on what you can expect if you are accepted as member of the Class of 2023. This will be followed by Q&As and the opportunity to hear from a few past graduates. You can register for the informational session here, learn more about the program here, and apply here (there is a $50 application fee). |
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First Place Winners
Animal Sciences: Rania Lateef - Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School
Dozing off with Drosophila: The effect of Circadian Dysfunction and Sleep Deprivation on Mortality, Mood, and Addiction in Fruit Flies
Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology: Jadesola Akinbi and Comfort Ohajunwa - Osbourn Park High School and The Governor’s School at Innovation Park
A Study on Biofuel Production: Investigating Methods to Enhance Fermentation in the Production of Bioethanol
Biomedical and Health Sciences (and Grand Prize): Tony Bright, Arman Lateef, and Gabriel Ralston - Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School and The Governor’s School at Innovation Park
Concussion Recovery in Youth Optimized using a Comprehensive App-based Program (CRYO CAP)
Microbiology: Gabriella La Cour, Alahna Moreno, and Anisha Ramakrishnan - Osbourn Park High School and The Governor’s School at Innovation Park
Creating Novel Bacteriophage Solutions as a Preventative Measure for Escherichia coli Biofilm Formation on Elastomer Biomaterials in Medically Relevant Settings In Vitro
Plant Sciences: Naman Agarwal - Patriot High School and The Governor’s School at Innovation Park
Low-Cost Deep Learning Solution for Early Detection of Lettuce Stress in Indoor Farms
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Ann B. Wheeler was elected Chair At-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors during the 2019 General Election and assumed office on January 1, 2020. Prince William County is located 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., and is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s second-most populous county with approximately 482,000 residents. |
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