A local nonprofit organization is hoping to expand its therapeutic riding services for people with disabilities in Great Falls.
Based at 9700 Georgetown Pike, Lift Me Up hopes to extend its services to a new horse barn with eight stables across six acres at 1051 Kelso Road near Difficult Run Stream Valley Park.
The expansion would allow the organization to offer “unmounted” wellness programs for groups such as first responders, veterans, seniors, and youth with mental challenges. The barn would serve as an equine-assisted wellness center for Lift Me Up.
“Wellness sessions are unmounted programs where participants interact with horses to learn lessons from equine behaviors. Riding lessons are not included in Wellness Sessions,” the special permit application says.
Received by Fairfax County on March 28, the application notes that the property could have been purchased by a developer and redeveloped with residential units. Instead, the current owners bought the house and barn to preserve the “serenity of fields with horses grazing.”
“Using the Kelso Road property as a horse barn INCREASES the harmony desired in the general purpose of the zoning district as it keeps the open and rural character of the district,” the application says.
The nonprofit organization was founded in 1975 by Colleen Zanin. It has 11 horses, according to its website.
(Updated at 3:55 p.m.) A shooting in a parking lot near Isaac Newtown Square and Wiehle Avenue in Reston left one individual hospitalized with life-threatening injures last night (Tuesday).
Police believe the individual was shot in an act that does not appear to be random, authorities wrote in a social media post.
“The victim remains hospitalized and there are no apparent threats to the community,” police said.
Though it wasn’t publicized until nearly 2 a.m. today, officers were called to the 1900 block of Isaac Newton Square for the shooting at 11:42 p.m. yesterday, the Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release.
Police believe the shooting occurred inside the victim’s vehicle, according to the release.
That shooting took place just minutes before officers were summoned to a different shooting in the 6300 block of South Kings Highway in Groveton, the FCPD said.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers found an adult man who had been shot in the lower body, according to police. The man was taken to a local hospital, where he remains, as of this afternoon.
“Detectives believe the shooting occurred after a verbal argument and continue to investigate to identify a suspect involved,” the FCPD said.
Police said they continue to investigate both incidents.
Officers are in a parking lot near Isaac Newton Sq & Wiehle Ave, Reston for a victim who was shot by unk suspects. Vic was taken to a nearby hospital for injuries considered to be life threatening. Prelim, this does not appear to be a random act. Avoid area as ofcs investigate. pic.twitter.com/EDL1TiWmyJ
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) April 5, 2023
Officers are in the area of South Kings Hwy/Furman Ln in Groveton for an adult man who was shot by an unknown suspect. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for injuries considered to be life-threatening. Avoid area as officers investigate. pic.twitter.com/KLvB2apcAk
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) April 5, 2023
Reopening Date Set for Metro Yellow Line — “The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced [Tuesday] that the Yellow Line will open again on Sunday, May 7, at the start of rail service. The line has been out of service since September to allow work on the Potomac River tunnel and bridge.” [ALXnow]
Omicron Booster Vaccine Eligibility Expands — “The updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is now available as a booster dose for children 6 months-4 years old who completed their primary series of three doses.” Just 13% of Fairfax Health District residents under 5 have completed an initial series of Covid vaccinations. [Fairfax County Health Department]
McKay’s Use of County Car Draws Scrutiny — TV news station WJLA claims that Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay has gotten two complaints about his use of a county-owned vehicle. In one, a “concerned woman” saw the car at a community pool on a Sunday, and the other alleged McKay was “speeding and driving recklessly” on Oct. 2, 2021 after a political fundraiser. [ABC7]
McLean Community Center Sets Rules for Facility Visitors — “The new MCC Code of Conduct, adopted by the governing board on March 22, outlines unacceptable behavior and makes sure the public knows that community center staff can take action at their sole discretion against people who violate the Code of Conduct.” [Patch]
Vienna Pushes to Expand Availability of Public Art — “The Vienna Town Council on March 20 unanimously approved the group’s 38-page ‘Vision for Public Art Master Plan,’ which outlined dozens of ways of making the town more aesthetically pleasing and suggested where the improvements could be implemented.” [Gazette Leader]
Graduates of County Innovation Hub Hired by Inova — “Six months after the grand opening of the Workforce Innovation Skills Hub (WISH) at the Hybla Valley Community Center, several local participants in a training program conducted with Inova Health System have secured jobs with the nonprofit healthcare provider.” [On the MoVe]
It’s Wednesday — Cloudy. Warm. High of 86 and low of 59. Sunrise at 6:47 am and sunset at 7:35 pm. [Weather.gov]
Fairfax County wants your food scraps and yard waste.
The county will officially launch its new compost outpost at the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).
Part of a two-year-long pilot program, the facility consists of two 20-foot-long shipping containers modified so that visitors can drop off organic waste in the dirt-filled receptacles.
“It is designed to create optimal conditions for composting and is a test facility to demonstrate small-scale, decentralized, organics processing,” the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) said in a media advisory.
The pilot will expand the county’s efforts to promote composting, which makes soil healthier by returning nutrients to the earth, reducing erosion and improving its ability to hold water, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension.
The county has also been accepting food scraps for composting at the I-95 Landfill Complex (9850 Furnace Road) in Lorton and at some farmers markets, though the 2023 season isn’t set to begin until later this month.
The I-66 outpost will process food scraps and yard waste from residents and county facilities, though residents must drop off their collections directly.
“We will not be picking them up for this program,” DPWES spokesperson Sharon North said.
The resulting compost is expected to be initially used at county parks, according to North.
The pilot will help the county determine the facility’s effectiveness and provide a visible demonstration of “the ability…to take a waste product and turn it into a locally sourced and readily available resource that can be used to enhance the community,” said Matt Adams, director of the Solid Waste Management Program in the DPWES Engineering and Environmental Compliance Division.
“The Compost Outpost pilot demonstrates this by utilizing sustainable materials, such as plant material and food scraps that are currently treated as a waste products to be removed from the community, and transforming them into compost that can be used locally,” Adams said in a statement to FFXnow. “This greatly benefits the environment and the county’s overall sustainability goals by lowering emissions through the reduction [of] transportation/processing practices and adds to the resources available within a community.”
Here’s more on the pilot from DPWES:
The two-year pilot was approved by the Department of Environmental Quality and aligns with the county’s Zero Waste Policy by diverting food waste and other organics from municipal waste streams.
Over the course, the operational impacts, as well as the production of the finished compost will be assessed to determine the project’s feasibility and efficacy.
The Compost Outpost pilot will cost approximately $100,000. It is funded by the county’s Zero Waste Team and hosted by the Solid Waste Management Program and its partner, Compost Crew.
More information on the materials accepted for composting can be found on the DPWES website.
John Farrell, an attorney and longtime Reston resident, has officially withdrawn his candidacy in the crowded race for District 7 in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Farrell, who is currently running for a seat on Reston Association’s Board of Directors — a body he currently serves on — said the move was motivated by the inclusion of another candidate in the race.
In an email to FFXnow, Farrell said he is endorsing Karen Keys-Gamarra for the seat.
When Karen Keys Gamara announced her candidacy, I knew we had our candidate. She has spent her career representing kids in need of services before the courts More than 18,000 residents in HD 7 have already voted for Karen multiple times. We know her, we know her values and her commitment to our future and our children’s future. We’ve also seen her in action, fighting for our community and standing firm against efforts to force a far right agenda on Fairfax County schools.
Farrell said he entered the race in an effort to fight for Robert Simon’s founding principles for Reston.
Karen Keys-Gamarra, an at-large member of the Fairfax County School Board, announced her bid to succeed Del. Ken Plum in early March.
Plum announced his intention to retire in late February following more than four decades in public office.
Keys-Gamarra has served on the school board since 2017. She is currently chair of the comprehensive planning development committee, a member of the Board Audit Committee, and a liaison to the Title I Parent Advisory Committee, the Fairfax County Planning Commission, and Educate Fairfax.
She also works as an attorney who handles family law matters, and she serves as a court-appointed guardian and litem in Northern Virginia.
She will face fellow candidates Paul Berry, Shyamali Roy Hauth, Mary Barthelson and John Farrell in the June 20 primary for District 7, which extends from Route 7 north of Reston down to Waples Mill Road near Oakton.
Early voting for the primary begins on May 6 and the Democratic primary is set for June 9. The general election is slated for Nov. 7.
The Reston location has officially opened (courtesy Ruth’s Chris)
A new steakhouse has landed in Reston Town Center.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House has officially opened at 11990 Market Street, the company announced today (Tuesday).
Formerly home to the Italian restaurant Il Fornaio, the roughly 7,400-square-foot location includes two dining rooms, a bar and bar lounge, a patio and two private dining rooms. It seats up to 270 people, including 48 diners on the patio.
“We’ve had the pleasure of serving the Fairfax County community for many years, and are fortunate to make our one-of-a-kind experience available to even more guests in the area,” Sierra Krynitsky, general manager for Ruth’s Chris in Reston, said. “Ruth’s Chris offers its guests an exclusive dining experience — whether they’re celebrating a special occasion or enjoying an intimate dinner — no matter the size, we look forward to welcoming guests into our restaurant and showcasing the same top-notch service they’re accustomed to from our brand.”
The Reston location is the third in the county. It has more than 150 restaurants around the world since it started in 1964.
“The Reston location is our third in the area, representing an exciting expansion in the region that further entrenches us in Fairfax County’s fine dining scene,” said Cheryl Henry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. “We’re thrilled to continue to serve this community and look forward to more opportunities for expansion in the future.”
Founded by Ruth Fertel in New Orleans, the restaurant is known for its prime beef that is served on a 500-degree plate.
The Reston location also offers a happy hour with full-size appetizers that start at $11 and cocktails and wine from 4-6 p.m. Sunday through Friday.
The resturant only operates during dinner hours from 4-9:30 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, 4-10:30 p.m. on Friday, and 5-10:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Inova Ends Mask Requirement — “Effective April 3, masking will be optional at Inova care sites. Exceptions will include high-risk clinical spaces and for anyone interacting with patients identified by their provider as immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease from COVID-19” [Inova Health/Twitter]
Rose Hill Redevelopment Proposal Recommended for Deferral — “The inclusion of the Rose Hill Plaza development plan in the work program, approved on March 29 by the planning commission, came with a condition: the proposal will remain a ‘deferred item’ until the owner of the shopping center, Combined Properties Inc., conducts ‘further community outreach.'” [Patch]
Fairfax Man Arrested for Allegedly Choking Woman — City of Fairfax Police arrested a 48-year-old man for allegedly choking the passenger of another car during a “traffic altercation” on Sunday (April 2) near Fairfax Blvd and Pickett Road. According to police, the man “left his vehicle, put his hands around the neck of a passenger sitting in the second vehicle, and began to choke her.” He also threw a ginger ale can. [Patch]
PNC Bank Set to Close Several Local Branches — PNC Financial Services Group Inc will shutter 11 Northern Virginia branches as part of a nationwide reduction in its footprint, particularly in grocery stores. The Oakton branch at 2964 Chain Bridge Road is the only standalone location targeted, but this round also includes Giant Food store branches in Oakton, Fairfax, Centreville, Herndon, Clifton and the Falls Church area. [Washington Business Journal]
Annandale Gets New Ethiopian Restaurant — “JD Bar & Restaurant is located at 6669 Little River Turnpike in the same building that housed two previous Ethiopian places, Monarch, and before that, Damas. JD features traditional Ethiopian cuisine with injera, including geba weta, doro wat, lamb wot, kifto, tibs, and fish dulet.” [Annandale Today]
Republican Enters Virginia Senate Race — “An ex-adviser to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced Monday he will seek the Republican nomination to challenge Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) in 2024, the first contender to emerge after Kaine committed in January to seeking a third term.” [The Washington Post]
GMU Works to Preserve Civil War-Era Graffiti — “While many see graffiti as an eyesore, students and staff at George Mason University are trying to digitally preserve 160-year-old wall art…[Mills] Kelly told WTOP that the graffiti left on the plaster walls at the Graffiti House in Brandywine Station and Historic Blenheim show a different side of history than what most usually see.” [WTOP]
Region Sees Increase in Older Population — “A new report found that Northern Virginia is one of the country’s fastest-growing populations of older adults, but more must be done to accommodate that age group. The number of adults 65 and older living in Northern Virginia increased by 61 percent since 2010, with approximately 310,000 living in the region as of 2020.” [Inside NoVA]
It’s Tuesday — Partly cloudy. Warm. High of 77 and low of 55. Sunrise at 6:48 am and sunset at 7:34 pm. [Weather.gov]
A new Korean barbecue and hot pot restaurant called H Pot is coming soon to Herndon Centre.
A representative for real estate agency A.J. Dwoskin & Associates, Inc., which manages the property, declined to provide any information about the new business, including contact information for the owner.
Fairfax County has its fair share of eateries offering hot pot — where meat, vegetables and various sides are boiled in a soup base — or Korean barbecue, but ones combining the two are rarer. In both cases, the food is typically cooked at each diner’s table.
The restaurant has leased a 6,000-square-foot space at Herndon Centre, according to the shopping center’s current site plan. It’s replacing the ACE Learning Center at 400 Elden Street.
The shopping center’s website indicates that there are currently four vacancies. It is anchored by tenants like Lotte Market, LA Fitness, and Sprouts Farmers Market.
No property tax rate increases are proposed in the Town of Herndon’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2024.
The $62.5 million budget, submitted by town manager Bill Ashton II, represents a 9% increase over last year’s budget.
Ashton said the town was able to hold the line on its real estate tax rate despite the pressures of inflation and a tight labor market.
“Nevertheless, and through careful fiscal management, the proposed FY 2024 Budget allows for continuation of the programs and services town citizens expect and enjoy, as well as funding for new initiatives, chief among them preparatory work on the town’s Comprehensive Plan,” Ashton said in a news release.
But he cautioned that a mixed level of continued recovery is forecasted in the current economic environment.
“With significant levels of inflation, rising interest rates, and a looming national economic recession, the extent to which these pressures will affect the town’s revenue projections is unknown,” Ashton wrote in a letter with his budget proposal. “While we experienced significant revenue declines during the pandemic, we saw many revenue categories start to recover last year.”
Higher tax bills are expected still for most property owners because of rising real estate values. The real estate tax rate will still remain the same at 26.5 cents per $100 of assessed value.
But increases are proposed for water and sewer rates. The sewer service rate will go from $7.16 to $8.28 per 1,000 gallons of water consumption, and the water service rate will increase from $3.31 to $3.47 per 1,000 gallons of water consumption.
All water consumed during peak periods behind the average in the preceding two winter-quarter billing periods will be charged at a higher rate: $5.91 per 1,000 gallons.
The town also plans to use remaining funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to complete deferred maintenance projects, vehicle purchases and water-sewer infrastructure projects.
The Herndon Town Council will adopt the proposed budget on June 30 following a series of public hearings and work sessions.
The public hearings are slated for Tuesday, April 11 and Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. in the Ingram Council Chambers.
A plan to convert Fairfax County’s streetlights into LED lights is well underway.
At a Board of Supervisors’ safety and security committee meeting on March 22, Aileen Santiago of the county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) said the program is expected to generate roughly $1.4 million in yearly savings when completed.
Board Chairman Jeff McKay lauded the conversion program’s work, which he called an investment with a significant return.
“It’s a really good news story in term of the environmental savings standpoint, and it shows the investment we made on the environmental front is paying itself back in a massive way,” McKay said.
The program kicked off in 2018 after the county reached a regional agreement with Dominion Energy to transition into more energy-efficient bulbs.
In Dominion Energy‘s service area — which accounts for 96% of the county’s 60,000 existing streetlights — the conversion process will be completed in fiscal year 2024 using roughly $9 million allocated for five years.
But Northern Virginia Electrical Cooperative (NOVEC) — which is responsible for the remaining 4% of the county’s lights — is largely not accelerating the conversion process for customers in its area, Santiago said.
“Currently, they’re not invested in accelerating and providing reduced rates similar to Dominion,” Santiago told the committee. So far, NOVEC has largely been converting street-facing lights into LEDs, and that inventory is overall limited.
Supervisors expressed disappointment on NOVEC’s progress thus far. Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith noted that the organization’s service area impacts her constituents significantly.
“It’s not right that NOVEC is not doing the conversions there,” she said.
The conversion program went into effect after the board made amendments to require new and existing streetlights be converted into LEDs with specific color temperatures.
Other board members focused on the need to conduct a more holistic study of lighting needs throughout the county. Currently, the supervisors push streetlight petition requests to county staff.
Referencing a similar board matter passed years ago, Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk stated that the county needs to develop long-term strategies to fund streetlights that are being requested by individuals.
“My concern is that we really don’t have enough focus on what we’re gonna do with regard to the new streetlight requests,” Lusk said.
A programmatic process would require additional funding beyond the county’s current petition program, DPWES Director Chris Herrington said.
Man Pulled From Mud in Mount Vernon — “Units on scene of a rescue in the 5200 block of Burke Drive in the Woodlawn area. One adult male in the water 30 feet from the shore stuck in mud. Firefighters have successfully extricated the person. No reported injuries at this time.” [FCFRD/Twitter]
Nearby: Suspect ID’d in Dulles Town Center Shooting — “Loudoun County police have identified the suspect in Sunday morning’s shooting inside the Dulles Town Center shopping mall that left one person in serious condition…The mall has been closed for the remainder of the day.” [WTOP]
Shooting Threat Found in John Lewis HS Restroom — “In response to the threatening graffiti found at John R. Lewis High School, a letter from Fairfax County Public Schools was sent home to parents and guardians. Officials say out of an abundance of caution, there will be an increased security and police presence beginning Monday, April 10 and throughout the week.” [WUSA9]
Driver Crashes Into Annandale ESL School — “An elderly driver rammed into a Fairfax County school Friday afternoon, according to Fairfax County Police Department. The incident happened just before 4 p.m. at what appears to be the Evergreen Academy — a language school in Annandale.” At least one person in the building was injured. [ABC7]
Trader Joe’s Taking Over West Springfield Whole Foods — “Trader Joe’s, a longtime tenant of…Springfield Plaza on Old Keene Mill Road, has executed a lease to replace Whole Foods Market at Federal Realty Investment Trust’s Old Keene Mill Center three miles to the west.” Whole Foods will move “toward the end of 2023 for a much larger space at Springfield Plaza.” [Washington Business Journal]
Fairfax County Lost Residents in 2022 — “While some counties in Northern Virginia regained some of the population they lost during the first years of the pandemic, a Census Bureau report released Thursday shows Fairfax County’s population continued to drop.” [Patch]
Summer Camps Offered for Lower-Income Families — “NCS is partnering with the Fairfax County Park Authority to offer affordable summer camps to families with a household income of less than $132,500. Eligible families will pay reduced rates for children to participate in popular Park Authority summer camps offered at Sully Community Center.” [Neighborhood and Community Services]
Sidewalk Construction Begins in Vienna — “Beginning…Monday, April 3 and lasting through the week, sidewalk, curb and gutter construction will occur at the corner of Courthouse Rd and Locust St, SW, from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Flaggers will be present. To avoid delays, consider an alternate route.” [Town of Vienna/Twitter]
It’s Monday — Broken clouds. Mild. High of 69 and low of 39. Sunrise at 6:50 am and sunset at 7:33 pm. [Weather.gov]
The time to get any patio furniture and other loose, outdoor objects inside is now.
At 2:29 p.m. today (Friday), the National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning for the D.C. area, including Fairfax County, in anticipation of an encroaching storm.
Set to take effect from noon tomorrow (Saturday) until midnight, the alert warns of wind gusts that could reach up to 60 mph, raising the potential for power outages and travel difficulties.
…HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON SATURDAY TO MIDNIGHT EDT SATURDAY NIGHT…
* WHAT…Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph Saturday afternoon, becoming northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph Saturday evening.
* WHERE…Portions of central and northern Maryland, The District of Columbia, and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…From noon Saturday to midnight EDT Saturday night. The strongest winds are expected Saturday evening.
* IMPACTS…Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
“People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches,” the NWS said. “If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive.”
The storm has been moving east after slamming California with heavy winds, rain and snow earlier this week. Nearly 90 million people across 21 states are under a hazardous weather alert, as the Midwest and some Southern states face the risk of tornadoes just a week after one killed at least 26 people in Mississippi and Alabama.
[3/31 at 2:55 PM] The @NWS_BaltWash has upgraded the High Wind Watch to a Warning tomorrow (April 1). Sustained 20-30 mph winds can be expected, w/ gusts up to 50 mph Saturday afternoon. By the evening, sustained winds are expected to be 25-35 mph w/ gusts up to 60 mph. #VaWx pic.twitter.com/QKAzOkXvXU
— Ready Fairfax (@ReadyFairfax) March 31, 2023
The annual Tour de Hunter Mill bicycle ride returns to Reston next month (courtesy Lisa Connors)
The third annual Tour de Hunter Mill will return to Reston in May.
Participants take part in three routes that begin and end at Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road).
The routes take riders through scenic areas of the Hunter Mill District, including a pitstop at Frying Pan Farm Park.
Three rides are available: a family ride of 5.9 miles, a short ride of 15.5 miles, and a long ride of 29 miles.
Registration is $30 — a portion of which will be donated to the Fairfax Alliance for Better Cycling and to purchase Tour de Hunter Mill socks.
Helmets are required, and the event will be held rain or shine. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult and are free. Volunteers can register to help via email.
Launched in 2021, the event is hosted by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn.
The final touches on the first phase of the Silver Line project that brought Metro into Tysons are falling into place, almost a decade after the five new rail stations in Fairfax County opened.
Construction on the shoulder of the Dulles Connector Road — which links the Dulles Toll Road in Tysons to the I-66 interchange in Idylwood — has been completed, according to a presentation that the Fairfax County Department of Transportation gave to the Board of Supervisors’ Phase 1 Dulles Rail Transportation Improvement District Commission on Tuesday (March 28).
The shoulder reconstruction, which began in April 2022, and some manhole repairs were the last “outstanding” items in the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project’s first phase, FCDOT Special Projects Division Chief Martha Coello told the commission.
Some lane closures were in place this week for the shoulder construction. A spokesperson for Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority didn’t respond by press time on whether that was the last round of closures.
With a total cost of $2.98 billion, the first phase expanded Metro to Tysons and Reston, launching passenger service in July 2014.
To continue paying off debt from the project, the commission approved a flat tax rate of nine cents per $100 of assessed value for commercial and industrial properties in the special tax district created to fund the Silver Line.
Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget Deputy Director Joe LaHait recommended continuing the current tax rate into fiscal year 2024, which begins July 1, “since coverage in the prior fiscal year (FY2022) cannot be maintained at or above the 1.4x threshold,” an advisory board reported to the commission.
The tax district’s policy, adopted in 2013, dictates that the tax rate should be set at a level that would cover 1.4 times the amount of debt owed each year. The rate can be lowered by up to two cents if that level of coverage has been maintained for two consecutive years.
Though coverage is projected to exceed 1.4 in 2023 and 2024, it dipped below that target to 1.36 for the first time ever last year, according to county staff.
Since it took effect in 2005, the Phase 1 tax district has generated approximately $428.5 million, including $15.5 million in the current fiscal year 2023, as of February — enough to cover the $400 million that Fairfax County was tasked with giving to the MWAA for the project.
“All debt has been issued for this tax district and reached the $400 million cap paid to the Airports Authority,” the advisory board’s minutes from its March 15 meeting said. “The funds were collected via cash contribution and bonds.”
With the county’s obligation covered, the tax district revenue will now be used to pay off debts. As of June 30, it had about $125 million in outstanding debt.
At its Tuesday meeting, the commission also approved a tax rate of 18 cents per $100 of assessed value for the special tax district for the Silver Line’s second phase, which extended Metro from Reston to Ashburn in Loudoun County.
The approved rate represents a two-cent reduction from the current fiscal year 2023 rate, which staff said in March 2022 couldn’t be lowered.
Per a staff presentation, the Dulles Airport and Ashburn stations remain the busiest of the new stations since they opened in November. New Fairfax Connector bus routes supporting the stations in Reston and Herndon are carrying 579 passenger trips per day.
The tax rates for both the Phase 1 and Phase 2 districts will be formally adopted when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approves a budget for FY 2024 on May 9.
Fairfax County could be putting a little more money into a program that aims to make paying taxes in the county easier.
At a budget committee meeting on Tuesday (March 28), the Board of Supervisors got a briefing on the fiscal year 2023 third quarter review, looking over how staff are proposing to use a net $51.2 million in available funding.
Most of that new funding comes from interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve to rein in inflation. That resulted in an additional $37.58 million for the county, which also saw an increase of $11.23 million in revenue from personal property taxes.
The lion’s share of that funding is going to capital projects, like courtroom renovations, but county staff have proposed using $18.96 million for information technology (IT) improvements that could, in part, go into effect by the end of the year.
The one most residents will likely notice is an upgrade to the county’s tax payment systems. While a precise timeline for what will be a multi-year overhaul is still being worked out, staff said the $4 million proposed in the FY 2023 third quarter review would give the program a substantial boost.
“This gives us a good downpayment to get the work started,” said Jay Doshi, director of the Department of Tax Administration. “[The IT Department] has been not only partnering with us, but reaching out to vendors who will offer services to get us to where we’d like to be.”
IT staff said the plan is to have some improvements in place by this fall for residents filing property taxes.
“We’ve relied for a long time on people mailing in checks, paying an exorbitant fee with their credit card, or standing right outside this hallway,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said. “I think this is a short-term improvement but will have long-term benefits…I’m glad to hear at least the beginning parts to this, some of the pieces our citizens will experience, will be forthcoming as soon as this fall.”
Other notable allocations in the third-quarter review include $400,000 to help the Fairfax County Park Authority clear running bamboo, $4.1 million to cover increased overtime costs for Fire and Rescue personnel, and a total of $1.75 million for road and parks signage related to the Route 29 and 50 renamings.
The removal of the names Lee Highway and Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway has to be voted on by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, which has the authority to name state roads, Fairfax County Department of Transportation spokesperson Robin Geiger confirmed.
The board met earlier this week, but the topic wasn’t on its agenda.
“The allocation of funds is in preparation of the approval of the name changes,” Geiger said.
