Palchik Takes Position at Northern Virginia Transportation Commission — Dalia Palchik, the Providence District Supervisor, was recently sworn in as the vice chair of the commission. [NVTC]
Families of Four Eligible for COVID-19 Tests –Families of four in Virginia will be eligible for free at-home COVID-19 tests under a new Biden administration rule that requires insurance companies to cover the cost of tests. [Reston Patch]
Search for Schools Superintendent Underway — Virtual town halls are coming up to gather public feedback on the search for the new superintendent of the Fairfax County Public Schools system. [Reston Patch]
Person of Interest Sought in Falls Church Unlawful Filming Incident — Local police are seeking the public’s help to identify a person of interest in the unlawful filming of a minor in a restroom at the Surf N Suds in the Falls Church of Fairfax County. [FCPD]
Local Tennis Courts Reopen — The Hook Road tennis courts have been reopened and are ready to play. [Reston Association]
Input on Sign Regulation Sought — The county is seeking input on sign regulations during virtual meetings on Jan. 18 and Jan. 27. Changes will involve signs for for-sale properties, subdivision signs, and the comprehensive sign plan process. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Teen Aims for Beijing Winter Olympics — Ilia Malinin, a Reston-based teen, is aiming to compete at the Winter Olympics this year. He is described as one of the best junior skaters in the world. [Washington City Paper]
7-Eleven on Parcher Avenue Robbed — A man robbed the 7-11 on Parcher Avenue on Dec. 11 shortly before 7 p.m. Police believe the robbery happened at gunpoint. No injuries were reported. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Feedback Sought on Search for New CEO — Reston Association recently hired Baker Tilly to conduct a nationwide search for a new CEO, a position that has been vacant for many months. The association also launched a survey to gauge feedback from members on what qualities they want on RA’s new leader. [RA]
A Reminder to Social Distance — County officials are reminding residents to adhere to social distancing as much as possible as the winter surge of COVID-19 cases continues. [Fairfax County Government]
Schools Seek Bus Drivers –– The Fairfax County Public Schools system is seeing bus drivers. A job fair is planned for Friday, Jan. 14 from 10 a..m. to 3 p.m. at the Lorton Transportation Center. [Fairfax Schools]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Arrests Made in Online Predator Sting — Ten men have been arrested in sting operations intended to identify predators who use the Internet to exploit children. The arrests were made since Dec. 23. [Sun Gazette]
Reston Association to Hold Special Meeting — The association’s Board of Directors will meet with its information technology committee on Jan. 5 to discuss IT-related matters. The meeting takes place via Zoom and starts at 6:30 p.m. [RA]
Local Organizations Given Funding for Afghan Resettlement — The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has awarded $60,000 in grants to six local organizations to help resettle Afghans. Awardees include Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. and the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia. [The Connection]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Former Fairfax Officers Accused of Involvement in Sex Trafficking Ring — A woman has accused two former Fairfax County police officers of sexually assaulting her in order to protect the leader of a human trafficking ring. [Reuters]
Metro Trains Returns to Service — The first of Metro’s 7000-series trains will return to service after being halted due to security concerns. The Washington Metropolitan AreaTransit Authority will gradually return the trains to service after an order from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission to remove all of its 7000-series trains due to safety concerns in October. [Reston Patch]
Reston Recognized as Bike Friendly Community — Reston was recognized as a bicycle-friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists. Reston was designated as a bronze winner. [Reston Association]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Proposal to Beautify Plaza Awaits Approval — A group of Lake Anne owners has promised to pay $45,000 to cover a $250,000 beautification project. [Reston Patch]
Holiday Message from Reston Association — Acting CEO Larry Butler says that the new year will bring improvements to several recreational facilities and new capital projects. Butler also encourages members to vote in the upcoming board election in March. [RA]
Police Recruitment Fair This Week — The Fairfax County Police Department will have recruiters on sight at the Merrifield Sports Fitness Center from 5-8 p.m. tomorrow. [FCPD]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Fairfax County Sees Record Tax Haul — Fairfax County saw a record tax haul in 2021. The assessed value of taxable property in the county rose by roughly $10 billion between fiscal years 2020 and 2021. [Washington Business Journal]
Booster Shots Encouraged — The Fairfax County Health Department is encouraging residents to get their booster shots, particularly as the Omicron variant emerges. [Fairfax County Government]
County Considers Big Pay Increases — The county is considering giving county and school staff big pay raises to make up for staff lost last year due to the pandemic. [Sun Gazette]
Tennis Courts to Close in Reston Next Week — Beginning Monday, tennis courts at Glade and North Hills will be closed for the season. The courts are expected to reopen in early April. Hard courts remain open year-round. [Reston Association]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Confederate Names Task Force to Meet — The task force, which was established by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, will meet today to recommend whether or not to rename Lee and Lee-Jackson highways. [Fairfax County Government]
Reston Association’s Holiday Fest Returns — Holiday Fest will return to Walker Nature Center on Sunday. Guests can enjoy live music, hot cocoa, and a gingerbread contest. [Reston Association]
Libraries to Offer COVID-19 Test Kits — Fairfax County Public Library branches will begin distributing free COVID-19 rapid antigen at-home test kits as part of pilot program that begins Dec. 3. Quantities are limited. Tests should be taken at home, not in a library branch. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Juvenile Arrested in Connection with Robbery — A 16-year-old was arrested on charges of robbery and weapons offenses in connection with a robbery that happened on Nov. 16. Police said the suspect allegedly demanded a victim’s backpack while displaying a gun and then left the scene on the victim’s bike. The incident happened on the 800 block of Ferndale Avenue. [Herndon Police Department]
Reston Association Receives Award — The association was recognized for excellence in programming for its parks and recreation department’s camps in a box program. The award recognized innovative programs that contributed to the betterment of the community. [RA]
A Discussion with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department — Fire Chief John Butler told the McLean Citizens Association that the department is preparing for the future by stepping recruitment and enhancing community partnerships. [Inside NOVA]
Why You Should Leave Leaves Alone — The Fairfax County Park Authority c=enncourages residents to leave leaves on the ground in order to help hibernating insects like caterpillars and to improve the health of your lawn. [Fairfax County Government]
A Decision on Renaming Lee and Lee Jackson Memorial Highways — The Confederate Names Task Force will meet on Tuesday to determine if the highways should be renamed. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo by David Taube
Reston Association‘s Board of Directors has approved its 2022 budget and an increased yearly assessment fee.
During the board’s Nov. 18 meeting, it approved a 2022 budget of $19,833,717 and an increase of the annual assessment from $718 to $740.
The decision came after public hearings on Oct. 13 and Nov. 10 to discuss the budget, and a board approved motion on Oct. 28 to defer Barton Hill tennis court upgrades to the 2023 budget. The initial proposed assessment fee increase was for 6% to $764.
The motions approved by the board included the reallocation of $195,667 earmarked for the Lake Newport tennis project to the Reserve, Repair and Replacement Fund, and the reallocation of $435,000 in positive variances from previous capital budgets to the 2022-2023 capital budget. The board also approved utilizing $500,000 of existing operating funds to fund the 2022-2023 capital budget.
Several personnel moves are included in the budget’s coverage. Those include two new positions, the director of environmental resources and a capital projects manager.
The budget also includes a 3.5% performance-based merit increase which was approved during a Nov. 10 special meeting of the board. About two-thirds of the operating costs are personnel, and merit increases were frozen this year. However, acting CEO Larry Butler previously suggested that the merit increases would help retain RA staff.
The board identified several key drivers in non-personnel costs as well. Included was an approximate $100,000 increase due to inflation across building materials and supplies, and an increase in accounting services due to anticipated higher credit card expenses.
There is an expected reduction of printing and advertising costs due to greater utilization of digital media for communications, and election expenses are also dropping as costs are not expected to be as high.
A couple of notable projects lined up for 2022 include the Lake Thoreau Pool renovations and the beginning the refurbishment of Shadowood Pool.
All Adults Eligible for Booster Shot — Any adult who received a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least six months earlier is eligible to receive a booster dose. The recommendations come after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded the eligibility criteria for both vaccines. [Fairfax County Government]
Reston Board Adopts New Budget — Reston Association’s Board of Directors has approved a $19.8 million budget for 2022. The assessment was set at $740. [RA]
Local Ways to Give This Holiday Season — Local residents can embrace the spirit of giving this holiday season by donating toys, clothes, gift cards, and more. Options in the county include toys for tots by the fire and rescue department and the Reston Winter Coat Closet. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Shadowood Courts Reopen Today — The tennis courts at Shadowood Recreation Area will reopen today. They were closed on Wednesday due to crack repairs. [Reston Association]
Safe Streets Discussion Underway — The county’s ActiveFairfax Transportation Plan team is seeking feedback on ways to address systemic traffic safety issues. A virtual meeting is planned for today at 6:30 p.m. [Fairfax County Government]
App Promotes County Breweries — Visit Fairfax, the official tourism organization for the county, has launched a new app that aims to promote the county’s craft breweries and wineries. Users can access to discounts, deals and prizes when they check in. [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
A fee for new property purchases in Reston could increase from $311 to $353.
Reston Association’s Board of Directors is slated to vote on the matter this Thursday (Nov. 18) at a regular meeting. It involves the so-called “Transfer Fee,” a one-time cost paid by a person buying a property.
The fee can be credited to a property owner’s annual assessment fee if certain conditions are met, where the homebuyer is a Reston Association resident buying a new property and selling their current one.
RA projects the change would generate an additional $45,000 in revenue next year.
It comes as the association prepares to pass its upcoming budget, which has proposed an increase in its annual assessment from $718 to $735. The board could approve that change, too, during the Nov. 18 meeting.
The fee was created in 2006, and RA staff recommended the change as the association sought to reduce the proposed assessment fee increase for the upcoming year.
Barton Hill Funding Moved Up — Reston Association plans to begin the nearly $851,000 in renovations for the Barton Hill Recreation Area by late 2022. Original plans called for completing the project sometime in 2023. [RA]
Three People Injured in Group Fight — Two people were treated for injuries at a local hospital after a fight between two groups broke out in a business on the 2400 block of Centreville Road on Nov. 6. Police officers found one victim with a gunshot wound and two others with stab wounds when they arrived on the scene shortly before 2 a.m. All of the injuries were not serious. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Missing Terrier Dies at Reston Golf Course — Baby, a 15-year-old Yorkie who went missing on Nov. 1, died Thursday afternoon in a creek at Reston National Golf Course. [Reston Patch]
Vaccine Clinics at Schools Launched — The Fairfax Health District and Fairfax County Public Schools will begin offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for kids between the ages of 5 and 11 at nine clinics starting tomorrow. Clinics will be held after school hours, evenings and weekends at nine school sites. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
The Reston Association could increase a yearly assessment fee from $718 by 2.3% or $17.
The increase is in a third budget draft that the association’s board of directors is considering amid a public hearing at 7 tonight. The board could approve the final budget and 2022 assessment at its Nov. 18 regular meeting next week.
The board has been working on the 2022-2023 budget and the association’s annual capital projects. Acting CEO Larry Butler has called for a 3% performance-based merit increase as well as raising salaries for dozens of workers based on a 2019 study to the bottom of their pay ranges. Most of those affected staff would make less than $60,000 with the changes. The third draft also calls for creating two new positions: a senior environmental position and a capital projects manager. The latest proposal also removes three new positions that were being considered.
Around two-thirds of the service organization’s operating costs are personnel, and Butler has suggested that merit increases, which were freezed this year, would help retain the organization staff consisting of around 100 full-timers. High-profile departures affecting its CEO and directors of information technology and human resources have occurred in recent months.
On top of those salary changes and staffing issues, a line item for assessment revenue contains some nuances. For 2021, RA’s 21,230 units is generating around $15.2 million. With a potential assessment fee of $735 and the association identifying 21,350 units for 2022, the yearly assessment revenue would generate just under $15.7 million. But instead of using that figure, budget drafts have listed over $17 million in assessment revenue for 2022.
RA staff said the upcoming budget proposes the use of operating surplus from 2020 and 2021 for the 2022 assessment as well as funds from canceled or reassigned capital projects.
“Fundamentally we are utilizing resources already received from the membership to keep the assessment lower,” RA staff told Reston Now.
The third draft also calls for pushing the Barton Hill tennis renovation and lighting project to 2023 but has planning/engineering money for the project in 2022. The Glade clay tennis renovation project was moved from 2023 to 2022.
Capital project costs also include $1.75 million for Lake Thoreau pool in 2022 and $1.3 million for Shadowood pool in 2023.
Metro Restores More Service — After the Oct. 12 derailment of a 7000-series train in Virginia, Metro is increasing service on the red and yellow lines. Blue, Orange, and Silver lines will continue to run every 30 minutes while the Green line runs every 20 minutes. [Reston Patch]
Tennis Courts Closed for Repairs — The tennis courts at Lake Newport will be closed today. The closure impacts courts three to six and not courts one and two. [Reston Association]
Herndon Company Raises $145 Million — HawkEye 360 raised $145 million in series d round funding. The last round was led by New York-based global private equity and venture capital firm Insight Partners and Seraphim Space Investment Trust. [PR Newswire]
Cloudpermit Chooses Reston — The Finnish software company has made Reston its North American headquarters. The business employs 10 people and already has a small office in Reston. It hopes to double that headcount by the end of the year. [Washington Business Journal]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
