Fairfax County government | FFXnow

Redistricting committee races to map future Fairfax County as public input deadline looms

Published September 16, 2021 at 9:30AM

Redistricting Advisory Committee Providence District representative Linda Smyth discusses her proposed map for Fairfax County's magisterial districts (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In a meeting room that more resembles a college classroom than the stateliness of the board auditorium just two floors down, 20 volunteers are redrawing the lines that divide and define Fairfax County.

Appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on June 22, the 2021 Redistricting Advisory Committee (RAC) has been meeting regularly since late July, but members got their first opportunity on Monday (Sept. 13) to present the district maps they’ve created to determine the county’s leaders for the next decade.

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Fairfax County approves plastic bag tax, a first for Northern Virginia

By David Taube

Published September 15, 2021 at 11:00AM | Updated March 15, 2024 at 2:55PM

Fairfax County will require certain businesses, but not all, to pay taxes on disposable plastic bags in a move to encourage customers to use reusable bags.

The Board of Supervisors passed the measure yesterday (Tuesday) after a new state law gave counties and cities the authority to begin imposing a 5-cent tax starting in 2021. The tax will take effect on Jan. 1, 2022 for Fairfax County.

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Five years in, Fairfax County sees signs of progress with jail diversion effort

By David Taube

Published September 14, 2021 at 11:00AM

A nurse treats an inmate in an opioid prevention program (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County has provided drug or mental health treatment services to more than 2,100 people who would have otherwise wound up in jail since launching a diversion initiative five years ago, a recent report on the program says.

Released in August, the 2020 annual Diversion First report suggests the county’s efforts to emphasize support services over incarceration for people with mental health and substance use challenges are starting to pay off.

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Fairfax County plans ceremony, day of service to mark 20 years since 9/11

By Scott Fields

Published September 9, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated September 9, 2021 at 11:22PM

A Volunteer Fairfax member carries Valentine cards for Inova workers earlier this year (staff photo by Jo DeVoe)

As the country reflects on the 20 years that have passed since the 9/11 attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon, volunteers in Fairfax County will spend this Saturday (Sept. 11) giving back to the community.

Volunteer Fairfax, the county’s volunteer network, has hosted a countywide day of service each fall to support local nonprofits for over 25 years. The 2021 VolunteerFest has been timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and will involve over 30 volunteer projects, including ones that can be done at home.

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Hauler staffing issues prompt yard waste pickup changes in Fairfax County

By David Taube

Published September 7, 2021 at 9:30AM | Updated September 7, 2021 at 10:08AM

A refuse truck responds to trash pick (File photo via Fairfax County)

Yard waste is piling up in Fairfax County, as a nationwide labor shortage in the hauling services industry has triggered collection delays that could potentially last weeks.

The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services has made some temporary changes to its practices after recently warning customers, who make up about 10% of residents and businesses, to expect delays for the next several weeks.