budget | FFXnow

Published October 30, 2023 at 9:30AM

A Metro train at the Vienna station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

As Metro considers ways to address a looming $750 million shortfall and stave off changes to its operations, officials are requesting jurisdictions, including Virginia, review their options to help address the funding deficit that threatens thousands of jobs and various services.

Metro hopes policymakers in the commonwealth will consider adjusting the state law that sets a 3% cap on the growth of Virginia’s annual payment to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Dedicating more funding to Metro and overlooking the demands of other transportation projects, however, concerns some lawmakers and transportation leaders.

News

Planning underway for new Colvin Run Mill trail, but funding path unclear

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 10, 2023 at 2:30PM

A sign for Colvin Run Mill (file photo)

Residents are calling on the Fairfax County Park Authority to ensure that a trail is constructed on the south side of a new tunnel in Colvin Run Mill Park.

Construction on the $1.5 million tunnel under Route 7 as part of the widening of Leesburg Pike is currently underway. But the project, which is managed by state officials, lacks a 1,000-foot trail to the south side of the tunnel that would allow residents to walk to the park’s sites in Great Falls, Lake Fairfax and Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail.

News

Reston Association proposes studying staff compensation in draft budget

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 10, 2023 at 10:15AM | Updated October 10, 2023 at 11:29AM

Reston Association (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 11:30 a.m.) Reston Association is considering a 10% increase in its annual membership assessment as part of a preliminary budget draft for fiscal year 2025.

The proposal — which is the first of what will likely be several drafts — was discussed at a Sept. 28 Board of Directors meeting. As previously reported, the budget would include new positions and cover membership recreational passes in the assessment fees.

Countywide

Fairfax County Park Authority proposes budget with potential cuts for next year

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 3, 2023 at 3:30PM

A walking path into the Fairfax County Park Authority's Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking roughly $8 million in funds to support park operations, maintenance, and capital equipment for fiscal year 2025.

The proposed budget includes a little over $1 million to expand Accotink Stream Valley Park, Blake Lane Park in Oakton, the Elklick Preserve, Mount Vernon Woods Park, and the new Woodlands Education and Stewardship Center in Chantilly.

News

County backs Lake Anne economic vision study with another $200,000

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 28, 2023 at 11:30AM

County planners and consultants meet with Lake Anne Residential Condominium Association members to discuss the future of Lake Anne (courtesy Hunter Mill District Office)

Planning efforts to determine an economic vision for the Lake Anne area in Reston continue to receive financial support from Fairfax County.

At a meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 26), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $200,000 in carryover funding for the Lake Anne economic visioning study. The board considered a number of items to fund by carrying over leftover money from the fiscal year 2023 budget.

News

Draft McLean Community Center budget funds energy study, playground and more

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 27, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated September 27, 2023 at 4:41PM

The McLean Community Center at 1234 Ingleside Avenue (courtesy MCC)

(Updated at 2:50 p.m.) Operations at the McLean Community Center (MCC) are starting to look a lot more like 2019 — at least as far as its budget is concerned.

The center’s governing board will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. tonight (Wednesday) to gather community input on its proposed budget for fiscal year 2025, which will begin July 1, 2024 and end on June 30, 2025.

News

Reston Association proposes increase in member dues, which will cover recreation passes

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 26, 2023 at 11:30AM

Reston Association

The assessment fees that Reston Association members pay every year are expected to go up again in 2024, based on a newly proposed budget.

To cover the actual costs of running the organization, the annual assessment would need to increase to $872 next year — a 14.3% jump from the $763 that RA charged this year, RA CEO Mac Cummins said in a report to the board of directors.

News

Reston Association begins early budget talks for next year

By Fatimah Waseem

Published August 14, 2023 at 3:00PM

Reston Association

Reston Association has begun the planning phase for the next fiscal year’s budget.

Possible changes to the structure of the yearly assessment and changes to some capital projects may be on the horizon. A joint work session between RA’s Board of Directors and fiscal committee is planned for Wednesday (Aug. 16).

Countywide

Fairfax County Public Library will return to ‘normal’ hours soon, as staffing shortages subside

By Matt Blitz

Published August 8, 2023 at 10:15AM

Dolley Madison Library in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County’s libraries are set to expand their hours later this month after going a year with reduced hours due to staffing shortages.

Last week, the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) system announced it will move back to “normal operating hours” at all 23 branches starting Aug. 28.

News

Funds sought to add more lighting under upcoming Springfield pedestrian bridge

By Matt Blitz

Published August 1, 2023 at 3:00PM

Rendering of the proposed Gateway sign at the Commuter Parking facility on Old Keene Mill Road (image via Fairfax County)

(Updated at 3:10 p.m.) An extra $150,00 is being requested to add a “unique lighting feature” to the colorful “Springfield” welcome sign set to be installed on a pedestrian bridge near Old Keene Mill Road later this year.

At last week’s Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk proposed that the board consider spending $150,000 from the fiscal year 2023 carryover adjustment on a lighting feature to “complement” a welcome sign going up on the pedestrian bridge near the new Springfield Commuter Parking Garage.