Jeff McKay | FFXnow

Fairfax County warns budget could be ‘challenging’ due to slowing real estate market, rising staff costs

Published November 29, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated November 30, 2022 at 1:15PM

The Fairfax County logo is shown on the front of the Fairfax County Government Center building at 12000 Government Center Parkway. (Staff photo by David Taube)

(Updated at 1:15 p.m. on 11/30/2022) Local officials are already preparing for “one of the most challenging” budget talks in years due to inflation, the changing real estate market, and staff retention challenges.

Right before the Thanksgiving holiday, Fairfax County staff offered supervisors and the school board an early look at projected revenues, expenditures, and points of potential discussion as the county and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) prepare to release proposed budgets early next year.

Countywide

Virginia still reviewing feedback on policies limiting transgender student rights

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 28, 2022 at 3:00PM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:54PM

Students at West Potomac High School walked out today in protest over policies that threaten to violate the rights of transgender students (photo courtesy of Mara Surovell)

(Updated at 5:30 p.m.) The Virginia Department of Education has no clear timeline for when its new policies on the treatment of transgender students will take effect, leaving Fairfax County Public Schools and other local school districts waiting to see if the state makes any changes in response to vocal opposition to the proposal.

It has now been over a month since the state closed its public comment period for the draft “model” policies, which would require schools to identify students based on their sex assigned at birth and prohibit discipline for deadnaming or misgendering a student even if they get their official school records changed.

Countywide

Silver Line Phase II opens with rain, fanfare and glimpses into the future

By Matt Blitz

Published November 16, 2022 at 3:00PM

Silver Line signage at Reston Town Center station (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

The cold and rain didn’t dampen enthusiasm for the opening of Metro’s long-awaited, $3 billion Silver Line Phase II.

Yesterday marked the much-anticipated public opening of the 11.4-mile extension of the rail line from Reston into Loudoun County. Along with six new stations, this marks the first time that locals can take a train to Dulles International Airport.

Countywide

County officially approves paying additional $40 million for Silver Line Phase II

By Matt Blitz

Published October 26, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:50PM

The extension could open in time for Thanksgiving travel.

As the county officially approves paying an additional $40 million to finish the Silver Line Phase II, fare evasion continues to irk supervisors.

At yesterday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, the county followed through on the transportation committee’s recommendation last month to pay an additional $40.25 million to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) for the completion of the Silver Line Phase II.

Countywide

Fairfax County Board calls for full inquiry into botched state elections mailing

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 25, 2022 at 1:00PM

A Fairfax County Office of Elections ballot drop box from 2021 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay is calling on a full investigation into an incorrect elections mailing that was sent to 25,000 voters in the towns of Herndon, Clifton and Vienna.

At a board meeting earlier today (Tuesday), the board unanimously agreed to a move by McKay to call on the county’s General Assembly delegation for an inquiry into the botched mailing. Residents were directed to an incorrect polling location in the City of Fairfax.

Countywide

Fairfax County Board formally opposes Youngkin’s policy on transgender students

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 25, 2022 at 11:50AM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 2:31PM

Students wear and wave Pride flags at Fairfax High School's walkout (photo by Carys Owens)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is formally opposing Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed model policies that would limit the rights of transgender and other gender-nonconforming students.

In a letter approved at a board meeting today (Tuesday), board chairman Jeff McKay said that the policies would have a negative effect on the county’s economic position and cites the human impact on students. Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity voted against the proposal.

Countywide

Equity concerns pauses county’s push to develop sports tourism facilities

By Matt Blitz

Published October 21, 2022 at 10:30AM

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

Concerns over equity and the recommendation of specific sites have delayed Fairfax County’s push into sports tourism.

At last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity proposed that the county start advertising that it’s seeking proposals from private entities to develop sports tourism facilities.

Countywide

County board again rejects proposed ban on giving money to people on street medians

By Matt Blitz

Published October 19, 2022 at 10:15AM

A median on Route 123 at International Drive in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is once again discussing how to discourage “panhandling” while also declining — at least for the moment — to make it illegal to engage with anyone in a county-owned road or median.

The subject was revived at last week’s board meeting by Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity after cropping up a number of times over the last several years.

News

County fills $3 million funding gap for affordable housing at Arrowbrook

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 12, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated October 13, 2022 at 3:11PM

Construction on affordable housing apartments in Herndon is underway (Photo via Jeff McKay).

(Updated to correct number of affordabke units and clarify nature of funds) The Arrowbrook development near the Innovation Center Metro Station got a funding lift yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.

The 274-unit project, an affordable housing development under the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, received $3 million in funding after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the issuance of bonds.

News

Chairman McKay calls Springfield a ‘no-brainer’ choice for FBI HQ

By Vernon Miles

Published October 11, 2022 at 11:00AM

GSA warehouse in Springfield (image via Google Maps)

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay says Springfield would be an ideal choice for a new FBI headquarters — or would be if another agency wasn’t involved in an underhanded attempt to play favorites.

While it’s not exactly shocking that the county’s top elected official thinks Fairfax would be a good choice for the new FBI headquarters, McKay has gone a few steps past that and accused Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) of putting a finger on the scales.