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May 14, 2026



As your supervisor, one of my greatest satisfactions comes from recognizing individuals, groups and organizations that make our community a better place.

This past Friday, I was honored to help recognize Rosa Simon. She received a 2026 Volunteer Service Award as the Hunter Mill District’s Community Champion.

• Countywide Unified Sanitation District Proposal Ended
• Housing Action Plan Presented
• New Reston Nonprofit for Afghan Refugees
• Upcoming Land Use Meetings
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

What’s happening: Yesterday, the Board of Supervisors concurred with county staff’s recommendation to formally end their proposal to create a countywide Unified Sanitation District. This plan would have instituted county-managed trash collection for all single-family homes across Fairfax County.

Yesterday’s action resulted from a motion I introduced last August directing staff to get more input from HOA representatives and private trash companies, evaluate the pros and cons of the district concept, and deliver additional options for the Board to consider. Following this evaluation, staff concluded the idea remained unpopular with many residents and alternative options wouldn’t achieve the same benefits. This led to their recommendation to end the proposal.

However, I have heard from many residents about their concerns with the current, mainly private trash collection system. Most concerns are from “retail customers” who procure service directly from trash haulers, and complaints range from widely varying costs to multiple trash trucks from different companies traveling through neighborhoods.

Some residents do want a more coordinated trash collection system in their area like a Unified Sanitation District. And in time improvements on the collection side can and will be considered. But the immediate issue facing the Board is a fiscal crunch on non-collection county solid waste operations as county revenues from solid waste tipping fees (fees paid mostly by haulers to dispose of trash at the I-66 Transfer Station or the I-95 Energy Resource Recovery facility) do not cover the cost for the county to operate the transfer station and other operational costs.

Tell me more: Last year staff came forward with the Unified Sanitation District proposal to address both solid waste collection concerns and the coming fiscal crunch on our post-collection, county-operated system. Under this now-ended proposal, single-family homes, including townhouses, would have received county-managed trash and recycling services (although the county would have contracted for collection with private haulers). Under state law, a five-year waiting period would have been required before the county could implement a Unified Sanitation District. This countdown would have been initiated by a legally required public hearing by the Board of Supervisors. Originally scheduled for June 24, this public hearing was deferred until Oct. 19. It was then indefinitely postponed while county staff conducted further evaluation as directed by my motion at the Board last year.

Financial challenges exposed: Our current trash disposal system faces serious financial shortfalls that were exposed (see this presentation).

Under questioning by me and other Board members, county staff laid bare the challenges during yesterday’s committee meeting. Effectively, we have been using the proceeds from the sale of the I-95 facility in 2016 to keep tipping fees low — which is an example of a bad fiscal policy of using one-time funds to subsize ongoing operations. When this fund runs out, and if no other changes are made, we will face an annual $14 million deficit starting in FY 2028.

To close this deficit, county staff yesterday proposed to impose an annual “sustainability fee” on residents. It would average $59 per household starting in 2028, increasing over time. (This county fee would be separate from what your trash company charges you for their service.)

As I and other board members made clear, this fee is a non-starter. While there may be future investments we need to make in recycling, composting, and other waste reductions strategies, for now we need to operate our existing system more cost efficiently and make some hard decisions about our county solid waste disposal infrastructure. Our waste disposal system is intended to be self-sustaining based these tipping fees without relying on county general fund dollars, but there are market and even potential legal limits on how high those can go.

Next steps: Board members asked county staff for more information about the cost to operate our current disposal system, options for reducing costs and/or improving effociency, and how partnerships with other jurisdictions as they address their solid waste needs could help.

Building a More Affordable Future:

Fairfax County’s Housing Action Plan

What’s happening: Yesterday, the Board of Supervisors received our first briefing on the new Housing Action Plan that was developed at Chairman Jeff McKay’s direction last fall. This proposed plan aims to address the housing crisis that we face in Fairfax County, a problem here and across the region and nation. The plan provides actions that the county can take to help increase affordable housing.

Housing crisis by the numbers: Although the Board of Supervisors has approved tens of thousands of housing units during the past two decades that have not yet been built, Fairfax County still faces a housing shortage that will likely grow worse if additional actions aren't taken.

Housing production isn’t keeping pace with job creation in Fairfax County. Thanks to the great work of local businesses and the effective economic development work by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and others, we saw 50,000 new jobs added in Fairfax County since 2013. During that same time, only 22,000 new homes were built. Conservatively, we need another 40,000 new homes by 2035 to meet the current demand, according to county staff's estimates.

Housing — whether it’s homes for sale or rent — is increasingly unaffordable for residents. With the county’s median home price at $770,000, homeownership is too expensive for many. For example, the median household income for a family of four in the county is $164,000 —only enough to purchase a $586,000 house. Only 13% of homes built during the past four years were affordable for a family earning the median income.

Renters face an even greater challenge, especially for lower income individuals and families. The number of new rental units increased by only 5% during the recent decade, and rents have skyrocketed over 40% since 2015, according to a recent county analysis. Today, a household would need to earn at least $100,000 to afford the typical $2,500 market-rate rent in Fairfax County. This means that entry level fire-fighters, police officers, nurses, teachers and librarians can’t afford to live in Fairfax County, and households that make $98,350 or less (or 60% of the area median income for a family of four) face a shortage of affordable housing. The county estimates that an additional 13,800 rental units are required to meet the housing needs for these households.

Why it matters: While the lack of affordable housing may seem like an individual problem at first, the crisis actually affects us all. It impacts our community’s long-term vitality, diversity and economic success.

Young professionals age 30-44 have been leaving Northern Virginia during the past eight years because they can’t afford to buy homes here. This means we’re losing the next generation that we spent money to educate in our public schools, shrinking our future tax base.

Unaffordable housing also means that essential workers can’t live here in Fairfax County, making long commutes from more affordable areas.

Housing is a key factor in attracting new businesses and jobs, and companies will be less likely to come to Fairfax County if their workers can’t afford to live here. At the Board’s Council for Economic Opportunity meetings, we’ve heard directly from companies who’ve told us they’re losing talented younger workers. After a few years on the job, they take their skills elsewhere to areas with more affordable housing. Expensive housing also makes it more difficult to attract workers to our area in the first place.

Seven-Point Action Plan

To address these challenges, the Housing Task Force developed a proposed action plan with 33 specific initiatives organized into seven key focus areas. Most of these recommendations relate to things Fairfax County Government can do that might help, and I look forward to balancing the recommendations with any environmental and community concerns. 

My Thoughts

As we move forward with urgency in trying to rebalance jobs and housing, we should be diligent and thoughtful. I would hope we would not approve every rezoning plan put in front of us that crams as many new houses as can be fit onto a property — I will certainly not be doing that. The economic success of the planned community of Reston underscores how thoughtful placemaking results in more homes, good jobs, thriving green spaces, and a great community. I will be working to apply important lessons learned like this as the Chairman’s initiative moves forward.   

Next Steps: The Housing Action Plan is a long-term commitment with a roadmap extending through FY 2029. As an immediate next step, this plan will be discussed and refined by the Board of Supervisors.

What’s happening: I recently met with the leaders for a new nonprofit organization here in Reston: the Afghanistan Refugee Rescue Organization — or ARRO for short.



It’s dedicated to supporting Afghan immigrants and refugees in the U.S. and beyond. The nonprofit focuses on improving access to services, strengthening social integration, and promoting sustainable community development. ARRO is based at the United Christian Parish of Reston, which has kindly provided office space and support.

Why it matters: In recent years, thousands of Afghans have resettled in Fairfax County. Most worked closely with American forces in Afghanistan and they were in danger when the Taliban took over. Despite the availability of various services, refugees still face challenges when they arrive in the U.S., such as the language barrier, limited access to employment, and difficulties navigating local systems. ARRO bridges this gap by connecting individuals and families with essential services such as education, employment, social support, and legal assistance.

How you can help: ARRO believes that integration is not only about access to services; it’s also about belonging, connection, and active participation in community life. You can help support this vital work. Consider donating or volunteering with them.

If you missed my town hall on ranked choice voting on Monday, watch it online. We heard from:

• Liz White, Up Vote Virginia’s executive director
• Gretchen Reinemeyer, Arlington County’s general registrar
• Eric Spicer, Fairfax County’s general registrar

This educational meeting explained how ranked choice voting works, explored its pros and cons, and discussed its implementation in Arlington County which is currently one of only two local governments in Virginia to use this voting method.

Reston Planning & Zoning May 18

Join this virtual meeting on Monday, May 18, at 7 p.m. Click here to join. To participate by phone, dial 571-429-5982 and enter meeting ID 693 626 456#

Agenda:

• RZPA-2025-HM-00054 & RZPA-2025-HM-00055: Tri Pointe Homes DC Metro, Inc.
• RZ-2022-HM-00003: Pulte Home Company LLC

Hunter Mill Land Use Committee *Canceled*

The Hunter Mill Land Use Committee meeting previously scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 has been canceled because there are no applications on the agenda.

Questions? Comments? Email Mark Goldberg-Foss or call 703-478-5123.

Movie Night in Vienna May 15

Grab a blanket or lawn chair and watch a movie under the stars at "Big Screen on the Green" this Friday, May 15 on the Vienna Town Green. Games and activities begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by a showing of “How to Train Your Dragon” at 8:15 p.m. Water and popcorn will be available while supplies last. In case of bad weather, movies will be presented in the Vienna Community Center auditorium. Location changes due to inclement weather will be announced by 5 p.m. on the Big Screen on the Green webpage.

Public Works Day May 21

For family friendly fun, attend Public Works Day on Thursday, May 21, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Northside Property Yard, 600 Mill St., NE, Vienna. The town’s Department of Public Works is rolling out its largest vehicles and equipment for the young and young at heart to climb aboard and explore. This annual open house also includes public safety displays, a drawing for kids, children’s activities, giveaways, snacks and facility tours giving attendees a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep Vienna operating smoothly.

During the event, Mayor Linda Colbert will host a special “Meet the Mayor” booth where visitors can stop by and chat with her about all things Vienna from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

🗳️ Attend a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s virtual, nonpartisan webinar on redistricting on May 14.

🩰Festival Ballet Virginia present “Echoes” on May 15 at Reston Community Center.

🖼️Participate in a guided creative session for women to explore color, materials, and simple artistic ideas on May 15 at Oakton Library.

🌊 Attend the free Water Stewardship Workshop on May 16 at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Vienna. Presenters include Fairfax Water, Clean Fairfax, Fairfax County, and the Northern Virginia Soil and Water District.

🖼️ Visit the Tephra ICA Arts Festival on May 16-17 at Reston Town Center. (I'll be there in the morning to present a proclamation for the festival's 35th anniversary.)

🎼 Reston Community Orchestra presents “An Italian Evening” for its grand finale concert on May 16 at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Herndon.

🎵 Encore Chorales of Reston, Ashburn, Fairfax & Sentimental Journey Singers present a free concert on May 16 at Heritage Fellowship Church in Reston.

☕ Participate in the Reston Community Center community coffee on May 16 for a discussion about Mental Health Awareness Month.

🪦Honor Vienna’s most notable Revolutionary-era figure on Charles Broadwater Day, on May 17 at his gravesite.

🎉Attend Polar Heat on Lynn Street on May 16 for a day of entertainment in downtown Herndon.

🐉Celebrate at the free Asian Festival on Main on May 17 in Old Town Fairfax City.

🎸Yacht Rock Lobsters return to Reston Town Center for a concert on May 16.

🎵 Attend Capital Harmonia’s free concert “Women On The Frontier” on May 16 at Community of Faith United Methodist Church in Herndon.

✋🏼Attend a virtual information session on May 19 on becoming an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer, serving with RSVP Northern Virginia.

🎭 Enjoy NextStop Theatre presentation of musical “Once” starting May 21.

🎸Sting performs his hits on May 21-23 at Wolf Trap.

🎹 Listen to Tedd Baker Organ Trio & Friends concert on May 22 at Reston Town Square Park.

😂Laugh out loud at the Asian Comedy Showcase on May 22 at Capital One Hall.

🎸Virginia’s own rock band emmet swimming plays on May 23 at Reston Town Center.

Find all events for these local organizations: Reston Community Center, Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Programs, Tephra ICA and Arts Fairfax. Find other community events in the Reston Letter.