budget | FFXnow

Published April 18, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:09PM

Affordable apartments at Ovation at Arrowbrook in McNair are undergoing construction (staff photo by David Taube)

While Fairfax County’s goal of creating 10,000 affordable housing units by 2034 is laudable, ambition alone will not address all of the county’s existing needs, residents and housing advocates say.

Affordable housing groups, residents, and other community members raised issues at budget hearings last week with how the county is seeking to address gaps in affordable housing. Many called for funding increases, a request that will have to be balanced with potentially competing priorities, such as property tax relief.

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Local environmental advocates stress urgent need to change habits

By David Taube

Published April 18, 2022 at 10:30AM

Electric bus (via Fairfax County Public Schools)

Environmental advocates say Fairfax County’s government, residents, and businesses need to drastically accelerate their efforts to go green.

During budget hearings last week, speakers urged the county to increase its funding for environmental initiatives and recommended adopting electric vehicle rebates — which the state hasn’t been funding — as well as zero energy buildings and other measures.

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Fairfax County employees struggle with rising costs of living, unions say

By David Taube

Published April 15, 2022 at 9:45AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:52PM

Tammie Wondong Ware, president of the Fairfax County Government Employees Union, talks before the Board of Supervisors (courtesy photo from SEIU Virginia 512)

Fairfax County government employees called on the Board of Supervisors to support workers with its new budget amid staff retention issues and financial pressures.

Union representatives discussed the impact of inflation and rising housing and health care costs on their members’ ability to live where they work during public hearings this week on the proposed $4.8 billion budget.

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FCPS offers free online tutoring with federal Covid relief funds

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 14, 2022 at 12:45PM

Masked and socially distanced students utilize laptops during Fairfax County Public Schools' limited return to in-person classes in late fall 2020 (via FCPS/Facebook)

After a year of readjusting to in-person learning, local students now have a new option for getting some additional academic support.

Starting today (Thursday), all Fairfax County Public Schools students have unlimited access to online, on-demand tutoring through Tutor.com, and thanks to an infusion of federal coronavirus relief funds, the services come at no cost to families.

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County residents call for property taxes to be lowered with new budget

By David Taube

Published April 13, 2022 at 3:00PM

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors holds a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2023 proposed budget (staff photo by David Taube)

When Centreville resident Jim Church received his property assessment, he saw a 14.5% increase, which he calculated would amount to $1,100.

Other residents shared similar concerns yesterday (Tuesday) at the first of three scheduled public hearings on Fairfax County’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2023, which starts July 1.

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Morning Poll: What should Fairfax County prioritize in its budget?

By David Taube

Published April 12, 2022 at 9:00AM

Fairfax County flag (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Fairfax County’s budget season is in full swing.

The Board of Supervisors will hold public hearings at 3 p.m. today through Thursday (April 12-14), giving residents, community groups, and other stakeholders an opportunity to highlight their concerns and priorities for the spending plan that will take effect on July 1.

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County’s limited funding for parks is an equity issue, advocates say

By David Taube

Published March 18, 2022 at 11:15AM | Updated May 26, 2022 at 9:13AM

Kids play soccer on a synthetic turf (via Fairfax County Park Authority)

Fairfax County Park Authority officials and others are calling for changes in funding to ensure people are able to access recreational amenities and address repairs.

Staff and community groups like the Fairfax County NAACP say the upcoming budget being considered by the county Board of Supervisors is inadequate for addressing the park system’s needs. It could even take longer to take care of those needs with a proposal to lengthen the amount of time between bond votes.

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Aging Mt. Vernon RECenter could close for 2 years for expansion

By David Taube

Published March 17, 2022 at 12:45PM

Rendering shows an expansion and a renovation for the Mount Vernon RECenter (via Fairfax County)

The Mount Vernon RECenter could shutter for two years as part of a multi-phase expansion and renovation worth tens of millions of dollars.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is expected to vote Wednesday (March 23) on a staff proposal that recommended the temporary closing. If approved, the facility would close starting in early 2023, the authority told FFXnow.

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Fairfax County explores tax relief to counter spiking vehicle prices

By David Taube

Published March 17, 2022 at 9:45AM

I-66 traffic

Fairfax County officials are looking at ways to avoid drastic jumps in tax bills for vehicle owners.

The Board of Supervisors’ Budget Committee discussed options for providing relief on the county’s annual personal property tax with county staff on Tuesday (March 15). Assessment values on vehicles have spiked, leading to a potential increase from $229 to $415 for the average bill.

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Fairfax County police union calls 10% raise proposal ‘a good start’

By David Taube

Published March 15, 2022 at 2:15PM

Fairfax County police badge (via FCPD/Facebook)

The head of the Fairfax County Police Department’s largest union says a bigger pay increase could help recruit and retain officers, but there’s a lack of parity between experienced officers and new recruits.

Ali Soheilian, president of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association Fairfax County chapter, which has over 700 members, says experienced officers have missed out on several 5% merit increases.