Fairfax County government | FFXnow

Published May 21, 2025 at 2:45PM

SEIU Virginia 512 has been elected as the exclusive collective bargaining agent for Fairfax County government workers (courtesy SEIU Virginia 512)

A long-coming, sometimes bitter battle over the right to represent thousands of Fairfax County government workers ended in victory last week for one union, even as another cried foul over the election process and results.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local Virginia 512 announced last Friday (May 16) that county government workers have elected it as their exclusive bargaining unit for future contract negotiations after the largest organizing push among general government employees in Virginia history.

Countywide

Reston golf course redevelopment pitch not recommended by county staff

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 29, 2025 at 9:45AM

NVR's proposed concept for redeveloping Reston National Golf Course (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County planning staff appear to agree with many neighboring residents that Reston National Golf Course should remain a golf course.

Property owner War Horse Cities and developer NVR’s proposal to replace the 168-acre golf course at 11875 Sunrise Valley Drive with housing and parkland or other public uses is among eight potential Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan amendments not recommended for advancement in a staff report.

Countywide

Cover your grass: Fairfax County starts accepting unmown lawn complaints today

By Vernon Miles

Published April 14, 2025 at 9:45AM

Lawn grass (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Keep an eye on your grass: Fairfax County’s Department of Code Compliance (DCC) will start investigating grass complaints starting today (Monday).

In a newsletter last week, Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw noted that today marks the start of “grass season,” the period when the county accepts complaints about too-tall grass. The season typically lasts from April through October.

Countywide

Union battle to represent Fairfax County government workers heads to court

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 10, 2025 at 9:45AM

SEIU Virginia 512 and other unions rally in support of collective bargaining for Fairfax County government workers on Oct. 5, 2021 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

More than three years after Fairfax County leaders authorized collective bargaining, a majority of the county government’s workers have yet to choose a representative for future contract negotiations.

That could soon change, as one established union gears up for a potential election this month, while a challenger turns to the courts in an effort to halt the vote.

Countywide

Fairfax County worker unions fear budget cuts could strain services as demand increases

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 9, 2025 at 9:45AM

Fairfax County Government Center seal (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Public benefits assistance, child care and senior center support services are just a few of the areas where Fairfax County might pull back on funding, as it seeks to close a $292.7 million budget gap.

If approved, the $59.8 million in potential reductions would be the county’s largest funding cut since it slashed over $90 million in 2009 following the Great Recession, County Executive Bryan Hill told the Board of Supervisors when presenting his proposed fiscal year 2026 budget plan on Feb. 18.

News

Families move into new Fair Ridge homeless shelter after closure of temporary Reston site

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 7, 2025 at 1:15PM

The Fair Ridge Shelter, converted from a former hotel, is now operating at 3997 Fair Ridge Drive (courtesy Fairfax County)

Fairfax County has completed the initial steps of converting a former hotel into a permanent emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness.

Families began moving into the Fair Ridge Shelter (3997 Fair Ridge Drive) off of West Ox Road in the Fair Oaks area last Wednesday (April 2). The opening came shortly after the county wrapped up its Hypothermia Prevention Program, which provides overnight accommodations throughout the winter, on March 31.

Countywide

Fairfax County hosts community meetings on new development proposals

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 24, 2025 at 9:45AM | Updated March 24, 2025 at 4:51PM

The proposed plan amendment for Arrowbrook Centre in Herndon would allow a residential building instead of a previously approved office building (via Fairfax County)

Community members will now get their first chance to weigh in on dozens of pitches submitted to Fairfax County earlier this year for potential future developments.

The county will host a series of community meetings over the next month so the developers can share information about their proposals with the public, who can then ask questions and provide feedback.

Countywide

Proposed Fairfax County budget threatens middle school summer and after-school programs

By James Jarvis

Published March 11, 2025 at 1:15PM | Updated March 11, 2025 at 3:58PM

Glasgow Middle School students learn cooking skills in an after-school program (via FCPS/YouTube)

After-school and summer programs that serve thousands of middle school students are at risk of ending under Fairfax County’s proposed budget.

To close a projected $292.7 million funding gap, County Executive Bryan Hill pitched a fiscal year 2026 budget last month that cuts nearly $60 million in spending and 208 staff positions across multiple agencies, affecting everything from public safety to housing assistance programs and park maintenance.

Countywide

Proposed Fairfax County budget mixes higher taxes, largest program cuts since 2010

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 18, 2025 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Additional taxes, including the possibility of a meals tax, program and staff cuts and less-than-requested funding for the school system are all incorporated in the Fairfax County government’s draft $5.7 billion fiscal year 2026 budget proposed by County Executive Bryan Hill.

“I don’t think anybody is happy with this budget, but this is where we are,” Hill said when delivering his proposal to the Board of Supervisors this morning (Tuesday). “We have been working diligently to figure out how to make this mildly palatable, to find the right balance.”

Countywide

Fairfax County convinces state lawmakers to delay FOIA bill for further study

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 12, 2025 at 2:30PM

State Sen. Adam Ebbin presents Senate Bill 876 to amend Virginia FOIA rules before the House open goverment subcommittee (via Virginia General Assembly)

Concerns by Fairfax County officials helped convince state lawmakers to take a deeper look at proposed changes to Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) rules intended to make decision-making at the local-government level more transparent.

The measure patroned by state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39) had sailed through the Virginia General Assembly’s upper chamber unanimously on Jan. 31.