When Fairfax City voters go to the polls in November, they’ll be asked to grant approval for a general retail sales tax increase of up to 1% for construction and renovation of school and/or public transportation purposes.
To give voters the details they need to decide, City of Fairfax Public Schools will host a series of informational meetings about the referendum, starting this week.
The first meeting will take place tomorrow (Sept. 10) at Daniels Run Elementary School (3705 Blenheim Blvd) from 7 to 8 p.m. Additional meetings are scheduled for:
- Sept. 16, from 1-2 p.m., Green Acres Elementary School (4401 Sideburn Road, Room 114)
- Oct. 8, from 7-8 p.m., Providence Elementary School (3616 Jermantown Road)
- Oct. 14, from 7-8 p.m., Daniels Run Elementary School (3705 Blenheim Blvd)
The meetings hosted by the school system will cover frequently asked questions, and review capital improvement projects that are already in the works, including renovations at Daniels Run and Providence elementary schools and a roof replacement project at Fairfax High School.
Fairfax City is one of 47 localities that raced to put the referendum on the ballot after the Virginia General Assembly granted authority for it as part of a new state budget passed this summer.
While the referendum language states that Northern Virginia localities may also use the funds for transportation, Fairfax City’s council and mayor have long sought the funding for construction projects and long-term maintenance of the city’s schools.
Even if voters approve the measure, the city council would still have to vote on implementing the tax. With Councilmember Stacey Hardy-Chandler and Mayor Catherine Read not seeking another term, Councilmember Thomas Peterson running for mayor, and others seeking reelection this fall, the city council’s priorities are not necessarily static.
The city’s school board had passed a resolution earlier this summer expressing its support for the referendum, which could generate up to $13.5 million for city schools.
Since Fairfax City is a separate jurisdiction from Fairfax County, its public schools operate in partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools. According to the city schools website, FCPS provides the curriculum, staffing, and transportation, while the city is responsible for capital improvements and renovations on its four school buildings.
The sales tax referendum is one of four that Fairfax City voters will vote on this fall; the others are statewide referendums on abortion, gay marriage, and voting rights. All have been endorsed by Fairfax City Democrats.
In Fairfax County, the school board also voiced support this summer for a sales tax referendum. However, some supervisors and regional leaders have expressed more wariness and a desire for the region to make a unified decision.
County voters will, however, be asked on Election Day (Nov. 3) if they support a referendum authorizing a $180 million parks bond and $75 million human services bond. That measure is expected to pass, given past voting patterns.
