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LATE BREAKING NEWS

Fairfax County Teachers Embark on Cultural Exchange to Sister Jurisdiction

August 2, 2010 – Two Fairfax County English teachers have embarked on a month-long journey to our partner in Korea where they will have the opportunity to meet with Korean teachers and students, and explore the vast cultural offerings of the Songpa-gu district of Seoul, South Korea.

The trip, generously funded by the Songpa-gu government, includes trips to museums and tours of markets and the countryside. Songpa-gu families will host our two teachers, where they will have the unique opportunity to be immersed in the language and culture of South Korea.

We are so honored and happy to accept the offer of our counterparts in Seoul, and its residents, to host our teachers and give them such a great opportunity to learn about Songpa-gu. I thank Mayor Kim Young-Soon for helping initiate this program and look forward to discussing future opportunities with the new mayor, Mayor Park Choon-hee when she visits Fairfax County this fall.

Representing Fairfax County on this trip are two highly respected high school ESOL teachers: Laura Brown of West Potomac High School and Brian Olmes of Robinson Secondary School.

Laura and Brian will spend their mornings in Songpa-gu working at Posung High School, a prestigious boys high school. There, they will meet with teachers and students and teach them about life and school in the U.S. and learn about what it’s like to be a student, and a teacher, in Korea. The school is not in session, but will be running a special English program while Laura and Brian are there.

In the afternoons, they will take in all that Songpa-gu has to offer, including the National Museum of Korea, the Dongmaedun and Namdaemun markets, and the National Folk Museum.

The evening time will be spent with their host families, where they will learn first hand about the rich history of our sister jurisdiction.

Laura and Brian arrived in Seoul on July 23, and will return to Virginia on August 23. I look forward to hearing about their experience in Songpa-gu.

Chairman Sharon Bulova

###

 

Media Contact:

Clayton Medford

(703) 324-4977

clayton.medford@fairfaxcounty.gov 

 

Background: On July 13, 2009 the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors entered into a Sisterhood Partnership with Songpa-gu. The government of Songpa-gu sought out Farifax County after researching several localities and finding many similarities with our county. The district has a population of approximately 620,000 citizens, and hosted the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988.

A delegation from Fairfax County visited Songpa-gu in September of last year, and toured Youngdongil High School during the trip.

 

Pictured from the Fairfax County delegation in the front row are: Deputy County Executive Dave Molchany, far left; Chairman Sharon Bulova, third from the left; Dan Storck, Mt. Vernon representative on the Fairfax County School Board, center; Barry Bigger of Visit Fairfax, second from the right; and Christina Fullmer, senior aide to Chairman Bulova, far right. Seated third from the right in blue is Youngdongil High School Principal Yong Ran Kwon. The picture was taken on September 24, 2009.

 

The Chairman's Remarks on the Mark-Up Package for the FY11 Budget (Updated April 20, 1010)

 

Earlier today, our Board adopted a Mark-Up Package that amends the County Executive's Advertised Budget for FY 2011.  The Mark-Up Package that I brought  to the Board is the culmination of an unprecedented level of community engagement and I'm grateful to everyone who took the time to contact me regarding this budget.  

 

Below are my remarks from this morning summarizing this package's changes to the County Executive's original proposal.  The package adopted by the Board today is a balanced budget that, despite $91.3 million in reductions over last year, maintains critical services, is sensitive to the taxpayer, and protects the quality of life we value in Fairfax County.   

 

 

 

Chairman's Remarks on Mark-Up Package

 

 

STONE SOUP

 

 

As we worked through our budget process for adoption of the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget, I was reminded of an old story called "Stone Soup".

 

According to one variation of the story:  tired, hungry soldiers came upon a little village.  When they inquired about food, the villagers were reluctant to share their food stores, worried that their limited supply would become depleted.  

 

And so, the soldiers set down their gear in the village square and produced a large pot.  They filled the pot with water and a large stone, then set it over a fire. A few curious villagers walked over and asked what the soldiers were making.  The captain explained that they were making something called stone soup, which tasted wonderful, but probably needed just a few more ingredients. He offered to share the soup with the villagers once it was finished.

 

One of the villagers returned and offered to supplement the soup with a few potatoes, which he diced and put into the simmering water. Another villager produced a bunch of carrots and another offered to share a few onions from her garden. These small but tasty contributions continued throughout the day.

 

Eventually the soup pot was full of a hearty, delicious soup.  That evening, the entire village joined the soldiers in a satisfying feast of Stone Soup.

 

 

 

Last year this time, our country was reeling from the effects of the worst economic breakdown in most of our lifetimes.  On this date last year, with property values plunging and homeowners challenged with foreclosures and job losses, we adopted a budget which closed a projected shortfall of $650 million. That $3.3 billion General Fund budget included $90.8 million of reductions and represented a decrease of $91.9 million from the previous year Revised Budget.

 

We started our budget process for Fiscal Year 2011 well before any dust could settle on the adoption of Fiscal Year 2010.  While the number is coming down we are still challenged with foreclosures, more than 700 in March 2010.  Residential property values have continued to decline, this year by approximately 6% and commercial property values dropped over 18%.

 

In addition, as we began the process we anticipated reductions from the State as they attempted to close their $4.2 billion budget shortfall.  We continue to be challenged with increasing demands on County services from families and individuals turning to us for help with food stamps, utility assistance, rent and housing assistance and finding employment.  These dynamics all combine to challenge us once again to close a projected shortfall - this time of $257.2 million. 

 

As in the story of Stone Soup, the process of closing that shortfall has been one of impressive community engagement, creativity and collaboration among County staff and our non-profit partners. 

 

What began as a seemingly empty pot, is a balanced budget that, despite $91.3 million in reductions over last year, maintains critical services, is sensitive to the taxpayer, and protects the quality of life we value in Fairfax County. 

 

Coupled with a positive formula change (of $61 million) in the Local Composite Index (LCI) - State Funding to localities - our $1.6 billion Transfer to the Schools fully funds the Schools Board's requested budget and leaves them with a $45 million balance for future Virginia Retirement System (VRS) requirements.

 

The $3.3 billion Budget we are about to adopt is full of reorganizational changes and efficiencies that help reduce the cost for providing services, and in many, perhaps most cases, improves the delivery of those services and programs.  Some of the major areas for reorganization are:  

 

• Community and Recreation Services and Department of Systems Management for Human Services
• Senior Services
• Department of Family Services Internal Reorganization
• Community Services Board (CSB) Internal Reorganization
• Systems of Care
• Code Enforcement
• Clerk to the Board and Planning Commission

 

This Mark-up process amends the County Executive's Advertised Budget and is the culmination of an unprecedented level of community engagement.  Community Dialogues were held throughout the County during the fall and early winter.  Throughout late February, March and early April more than 20 Town Meetings and Forums were hosted to receive feedback on the Advertised Budget.   Brown Bag lunches and Employee Budget Briefings and Dialogues were organized by County Executive Tony Griffin and by our Unions and Employee organization.  

 

And lastly hundreds of speakers attended three days - over 20 hours - of public hearings.   

 

Like the villagers' contributions in the story of Stone Soup, this generous level of public engagement enriched our process and has resulted in a better product.  

 

When we adopt our budget, we are investing in the priorities of our community.  I am glad to have had the community at the table with us during these months.

 

 

Highlights of our FY 2011 Budget Mark-up include:

 

• The Budget we are about to adopt is based on a  Real Estate Tax Rate of $1.09, an increase of 5 cents.  

 

• It includes a  1/2  cent increase in the Stormwater Service District Levy.  Both of these rates result in a  net reduction for the average homeowner's bill of  $26.93.  

 

• The Budget includes a  Vehicle Registration fee of $33.00 per vehicle for most vehicles.  Most other localities in Virginia utilize this fee to provide local services.

 

• The  Sewer Service charge increases by  77 cents/1,000 gallons, from $4.50 to $5.27.  This fee increase addresses aging sewer infrastructure and compliance with State and Federal Clean Water and environmental mandates. Our rates continue to be among the lowest in the region.

 

• The Fiscal Year 2011 General Fund (Schools & General County Combined) Budget is a  2.7% reduction from the previous year. 

 

• The  Fairfax County Public Schools continue to be over 53% of the County's General Fund Budget.

 

 

 

 

I will now move approval of the separate motions for the FY 2010 Third Quarter Review and the FY 2011 Mark-up.

 

FY 2010 Third Quarter Review

I move approval of the FY 2010 Third Quarter Review including approval of Supplemental Appropriation Resolution AS 10145 and Amendment to the Fiscal Planning Resolution AS 10901which includes the revenue, expenditure and transfer adjustments and grant awards and adjustments and associated reserve adjustments contained in the County and School's Third Quarter Review and Supplemental Appropriation Resolution AS 09162 which reflects final FY 2009 audit adjustments.  

 

FY 2011 Budget Mark-Up

• I will now move approval of the FY 2011 Mark-up budget proposal.  As the Board 

is aware, this budget:

 

• Sets the real property tax rate at $ 1.09 per $100 of assessed value. As a result of this action, the real property tax rate for calendar year 2010 will increase by $0.05 over the real property tax rate for calendar year 2009 of $1.04 per $100 of assessed value.  

 

• Adopts Article 17.2, Chapter 4 of the Fairfax County Code to establish  Local Vehicle Registration License fees for FY 2011, 

 

• Amends Fairfax County Code Section 4-22-2 to impose the  Courthouse Facilities Fee on Civil Cases

 

• Sets the  Stormwater Service District levy at $0.015 per $100 of assessed value. 

 

• Amends the Fairfax County Code, Chapter 67.1, Article 10, Section 2, Subsection (d) Service Charges to maintain the  sewer service charges on a multi year basis as included in the ordinance amendment.  The effect of this approval for FY 2011 is a sewer service charge rate of  $5.27 per 1,000 gallons.  This is an increase from the FY 2010 service charge of $4.50 per 1,000 gallons.

 

• Amends the Fairfax County Code, Chapter 67.1, Article 10, Section 2, Subsection (a) Availability Charges to maintain the  availability charges on a multi year basis as included in the ordinance amendment.  As a result of this motion, the availability fee for a single family residence  increases to $7,750 from $7,310 in FY 2010.

  

• Approves the County Executive's recommendations for the  FY 2011 Advertised Budget Plan, as Advertised with FY 2011 revenue and administrative adjustments as identified in the FY 2011 Add-on memo dated April 8, 2010, and with adjustments outlined in the Board of Supervisors' "Adjustments to the FY 2011 Budget Proposal" package which follows.  

 

 

Summary of FY 2011 Budget Proposal

 

1. Using a $21.7 million Reserve established through agency/ department savings throughout Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010 anticipating State Reductions the following adjustments are made which reduce the reserve to $11.6 million:

 

 

 

2. Add additional Revenue from Courthouse Facilities Fee of  $96,000

 

3. Reduce  Board of Supervisors' Office Budgets by 2%, resulting in  $81,350, which is used to add one position to the  Auditor to the Board's office.  The Auditor to the Board acts as an Inspector General's Office, and works through the Board's Audit Committee.

 

4. Use Remaining Balance of $11.7 million for Restorations and adjustments to the Advertised Budget

 

• Mental Health Adult Day Treatment Sites,
• Home Respite for individuals with Intellectual Disability Services
• Emergency Services at Mount Vernon Center and Northwest Center for Community Mental Health, 
• Substance Abuse Counselor Positions in Prevention Services, at Cornerstone, and in Jail Services
• Mental Health Forensic Staff Position at Adult Detention Center,
• Partial restoration for Domestic and Sexual Violence Services & limited- term support for Commission for Women 

 

• School Resource Officers in Middle Schools
• 50% of Police Citizen Aide Positions at District Stations
• Marine Unit
• Traffic Safety Officers

 

• Basic Life Support units
• Seventh Fire & Rescue Battalion
• Hazardous Material Support Unit
• Second set of gear for firefighters
• Fireboat Patrols on the Potomac River and Pohick

 

• Approximate 3% restoration to Libraries to maintain Tuesday evening hours at all 8 regional libraries
• Library Access Services
• Parks Athletic Field Maintenance Program
• Parks Grounds maintenance staff (including restoration  of restrooms)
• Nighttime court lighting and lighting for practice fields
• Parks Truck Driver and Heavy Equipment (mobile crew) positions
• Operation and management at Martin Luther King Jr. Pool

 

 

• All CONNECTOR route reductions (except for partial reduction of stand-by buses
• Note:  Bicycle Program coordinator position is not eliminated.
• 5 Law Clerks supporting Circuit Court Judges
• Support for Families4Kids to non-profit - to be funded from Human Services Transition Reserve
• Mount Vernon District Satellite Intake Center
• Fairfax Magistrates are transferred from General District Court to the Office of the Sheriff

 

5. This Budget also fully funds the Priority 1 requirements of the Board Adopted  Affordable Housing Blueprint through the use of $4 million in operating revenues from the Wedgewood complex to fund the Bridging Affordability portion of the Blueprint and recommended funding in the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) for the capital projects at Lincolnia, North Hill and Lewinsville).

 

6. As mentioned above, this Mark-up Adjustment maintains the Fairfax County Public School Transfer at the County Executive's recommended level which is a reduction of 1%, or $16.1 million.   Coupled with a positive formula change (of $61 million) in the Local Composite Index (LCI) - State Funding to localities - our $1.6 billion Transfer to the Schools fully funds the Schools Board's requested budget and leaves them with a $45 million balance for future Virginia Retirement System (VRS) requirements.

 

 

As a result of the adjustments I have just discussed, and having provided public notice and conducted a public hearing as required by Virginia law, I move approval of the FY 2011 Budget as Advertised, with the changes to Revenue and Administrative Adjustments included in the FY  2011 Add-On Package dated April  8, 2010, the Real Property Tax Rate, Vehicle Registration License Fee, Courthouse Facilities Fee, Stormwater Service District Levy, Sewer Service Charge and Availability Fee and Board Adjustments outlined in the "Adjustments to the FY 2011 Budget Proposal" package which follows.  The tax and fee increases become effective on and after July 1, 2010.  Copies of the amended sections of the Code are included at each Board member's seat.  These actions result in a balanced budget for FY  2011.

 

 

 

Celebrate Earth Day/Arbor Day All Weekend on April 24 & 25! (Updated April 20, 1010)

 

To promote awareness of and to benefit our local environment, the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program, Clean Fairfax Council and Northern Virginia Community College have come together to provide several opportunities for county residents to celebrate Earth Day/Arbor Day all weekend on April 24 and 25:

Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration: Saturday, April 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Campus (8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale). There is no cost to attend this family-friendly event. With games, exhibits and several hands-on workshops and activities, this year's celebration will have something for everyone in the family.

Document Shredding: Saturday, April 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Campus (8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale). Residents may shred up to 5 medium-sized boxes of personal documents per household at no charge. Remove all paper from binders. Also remove binder clips. Information stored on film or computer disks will not be accepted - paper documents only.

Electric Sunday: Sunday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax). Residents may recycle old televisions, computers and peripheral electronics such as speakers, printers, scanners, etc. Also, residents can recycle unbroken fluorescent tubes and light bulbs.

Complete details for these events and other recycling opportunities planned for 2010 can be found on the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program's web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/recycling, or by calling the Recycling InfoLine at 703-324-5052, TTY 711.

 

Cleaning Up (Updated, March 19)

Now that the snow has finally melted, the damage and mess from the unprecedented snow events we experienced in February is in evidence everywhere. Because this situation is so widespread, VDOT has asked for our help with cleaning up the 17,000 miles of roads that they’re responsible for in Northern Virginia.  Yesterday I was contacted by Delegate David Bulova who suggested the Sheriff’s Office’s Community Labor Force (CLF) as a way to help with the clean up. 

When I contacted Sheriff Stan Berry, he responded immediately and the CLF began work today.  They will be working throughout the weekend to clean up dirt mounds dislodged by VDOT snowplows and, where possible, put sod back in place. 

The CLF consists of non-violent offenders accompanied by personnel from the Sheriff’s Department.  This resource provides an innovative approach to incarceration and work release. Labor crews already provide services to the county that include graffiti removal, blight abatement, county wide litter pickup, bus stop maintenance, and overall beautification. They partner with other county agencies to provide light landscaping services on county-owned property, saving taxpayer dollars.

Residents and businesses are also asked to assist in this effort.  In many cases, the sod plowed up in the VDOT right-of-way is still alive, and can be transplanted back on the sides of the roads. 

The can-do spirit of our Fairfax County community is one of our greatest assets and a continual source of pride.  In my April Byline I will include a wrap-up of the Board’s “Snow Summit” held with County and VDOT officials to discuss what was done well in the response to February’s storms as well as lessons learned for future events.   

 

Census Information, and more! (Posted on January 19, 2010)

I wanted to let you know about two statements I recently made.  I delivered the first statement regarding Fairfax County's priorities at the annual public hearing held by the Fairfax delegation to the Virginia General Assembly. 

 

The second remarks are from a media briefing held last week concurrent with the opening of the Fairfax Local Census Office; I spoke of the importance of the 2010 Census to Fairfax County and to Virginia. 

 

Also, the U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary, part-time census takers for the 2010 census.  These short-term jobs offer good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and reimbursement for authorized work-related expenses, such as mileage incurred while conducting census work.  Best of all, census takers work right in their own communities.

 

Census taker jobs are excellent for people who want to work part-time, those who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service for their community.

 

Apply Now! 1-866-861-2010.  The local census office number is 703-865-3060.  More information is available online at:  http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/.   
 

 

CHAIRMAN BULOVA'S STATEMENT TO THE FAIRFAX DELEGATION TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Saturday, January 9, 2010 

 

On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I'd like to welcome you to the Fairfax County Government Center and thank you for providing this opportunity to make a few brief remarks and also to listen to our community's concerns.  

 

As you heard at our legislative work session in December, the most critical issue facing governments at every level is revenue shortfalls, due to falling property values and the struggling national economy.  Fairfax County is already experiencing the effects of millions of dollars in state funding cuts, at a time when our local revenues are plummeting.

 

Because we understand that the Commonwealth's fiscal situation is also dire, I would like to share with you again the three budget principles I expressed at our legislative work session: (1) Don't shift responsibilities to localities - we cannot absorb the burden of additional state responsibilities being shifted to the local level.  (2) Don't make structural changes - structural changes to funding formulas often become permanent cuts, which hurt localities long after economic recovery takes place.  (3) Don't disproportionately target or affect Northern Virginia - localities throughout the state have benefited and continue to benefit from the contributions of Northern Virginia to state revenues.  

 

Unfortunately, the recently proposed executive budget does not meet these principles in many key areas - shifting state costs for Constitutional officers, jails, K-12 education and others onto localities.  

 

As the County faces hard economic times, we have chosen to eliminate a number of non-critical programs and facilities and to scale back services for things like libraries and parks in order to get through the recession without decimating entire programs.

 

We know that getting through this fiscal crisis will require tough choices, but we hope that our delegation will work to make sure any cuts do not cost the County in years to come, by making permanent, structural changes to the relationship between the state and localities.  And, without providing adequate tools to deal with these changes.

 

Regrettably, it has increasingly become the practice of the Commonwealth to underfund core services, and what was once a partnership between the state and localities is changing dramatically.

 

It is in this context that I ask you to consider the need for equal taxing authority for counties and cities.  If the state cannot, and will not, ensure the quality of life that Fairfax County is known for - the same quality of life that brings major Fortune 500 companies to the County each year, putting income tax revenue into the State coffers - then at least allow us to diversify our revenues, so that we are not so dependent on fluctuations in the real estate market.

 

For example, if Fairfax County had the taxing authority of the City of Fairfax, we would generate an additional $94 million in revenue per year.  While I am not advocating for all of these revenue sources, that additional authority would be a useful tool in diversifying taxes so that we are not so dependant of the real estate tax, which makes up 64% of the revenue that we use to provide County services. 

 

Already, Fairfax County, based on our own declining revenues, is projecting a shortfall for FY2011 of $316 million.  The Governor's budget proposals, as outlined in the budget memo you received this morning, would add an additional revenue loss of more than $10 million on the general county side of the budget.

 

While K-12 was protected in the past, this is not the case in the Governor's 2010-2012 biennium budget proposal.  We are particularly concerned about the Governor's proposal to delay implementation of the composite index.  

 

This single action penalizes Fairfax County and other Northern Virginia localities - this delay will cost the County approximately $61 million, and will cost Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William Counties a total of over $118 million.  Supervisor McKay, our Board's Legislative Chair, will go into more detail about the County's strong opposition to this proposal, but we are asking our delegation to make this issue a top priority.

 

While we are discussing significant reductions in state aid to localities, I feel it is important to also mention the car tax.  While the executive budget eliminates the $950 million per year car tax subsidy, the incoming Governor, as well as leaders in the House of Delegates have made it clear that proposal will not stand.  If the State Reimbursement were eliminated, it would mean a loss of over $200 million to Fairfax County.

 

As a result, we know that more budget reductions are coming, on top of the ones we are already struggling with. Fairfax County is already impacted by sizable State cuts in addition to our own losses from local revenue sources - we cannot fill in for cuts in State programs with local funding. 

 

We are asking for your help, your cooperation and vigilance this year in protecting our County's interests.  We are partners in serving our Fairfax community. We appreciate the support you gave us last year on the County's legislative package, and we hope to achieve similar results on the County's 2010 legislative initiatives.

 

Thank you in advance for your efforts on behalf of Fairfax County, and we look forward to working with you throughout the session.  

 

 

CHAIRMAN BULOVA'S REMARKS ON THE CENSUS, (Updated: Thursday, January 7, 2010)

 

Once every 10 years, our nation performs a task set forth by the U.S. Constitution " a count of every person living in this nation. As many people know, this decennial count will take place again this year, starting in March.

 

The census isn't simply a 220-year-old ritual of our democracy ?" it serves a very important function for local communities across the nation. The census helps determine political representation, and it helps to determine how billions of dollars in federal money is distributed to local communities like ours.

 

The census is used for redistricting federal, state and local legislative boundaries, and these boundaries are drawn based on population figures. Our population affects how many seats we get in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Virginia legislature.  In other words, the greater our population the greater our voice" the greater representation we'll have on Capitol Hill and Richmond. Since we are one of the most populous counties in Virginia, it's no small matter that the voices of our residents are represented in Congress and the General Assembly.

 

Fairfax County has one of the most diverse communities in the nation.  In Fairfax we celebrate our diversity and consider it one of our greatest assets.  It is very important that this diversity is represented in the political process. Since the last census in the year 2000, we have likely become an even more diverse community, as this year's census results may demonstrate.

 

Already, according to data gathered in 2004, more than 20 percent of Fairfax County residents were born in another country.  In comparison, only about 12 percent of the U.S. population was born outside the United States.  In Fairfax, more than 100 languages are spoken by families with children enrolled in Fairfax County public schools.                

 

We are proud to have one of the most educated foreign-born populations in the nation, according to the last census. Many new comers to this county come here because of our excellent educational system. Among Fairfax County residents born outside the U.S., 41 percent have college or graduate degrees compared to 24 percent nationwide.

 

Besides political representation, there is another and equally important reason for why the census matters. Census data determine how billions of federal dollars is distributed to cities and counties, including Fairfax. This federal money is used for critical local services and programs, such as education, health care, public safety, roads, and housing.

 

According to a Brookings Institute report, Fairfax County received more than $359 million dollars in federal funds in fiscal year 2008 based on census data. When dealing with such a large dollar figure, it may be difficult to understand what this means on a personal level. To put it in perspective, this means that every household in Fairfax County received the equivalent of $943 dollars in federal funding.  

 

While this money didn't go directly to every county household, the money helped to fund the basic services that we all use and benefit from.  Let me give you a specific example. Fairfax County received more than $50 million dollars in federal funds for our public schools based on census data in fiscal year 2008.  I'm proud to say that we have one of the best school systems - not just in the state, but in the nation.  All of our high schools rank in the top 5% nationally, and once again, Thomas Jefferson has been ranked #1 in the U.S.

 

Our schools are one of the most important reasons for the high-quality of life we enjoy in Fairfax County.  Because of our great schools, business want to locate here and our children benefit from good jobs and career paths close to home.  Good schools require the investment of funds to make them successful.

 

As another example, the county received more than $67 million dollars for health care programs, including $2 million dollars for health care for children from low income families (i.e. S-CHIP program.)

 

In these days of tight budgets, it's especially important that we get every federal dollar that we're entitled to receive. This money will help us to continue to provide important local services.  

 

So, there are more than 359 million reasons for everyone in Fairfax County to fill out their census form. When you fill out your census form, you're doing something to help yourself, your family, and your community. You're helping to fund the programs and services that benefit you, your family, and your neighbors" and it's a quick, simple and easy way to make a big difference.

 

If you live in Fairfax County, make sure you fill out your census form and mail it back by April 1. It doesn't matter  whether you are a citizen or not" you count. I want to stress this point because it's important for  everyone to participate in the census.  If the census is a snapshot of our country" and our county" it's important that everyone who is here is part of the picture.  

 

Some members of our community may be fearful to fill out their form because they worry the information will be used against them. To those, I want to offer reassurance. By federal law, your answers are private and confidential. They cannot be given to any local, state, or federal government agency, including Fairfax County. 

There are stiff penalties for census workers who reveal your answers, including fines of up to $250,000 and up to five years in prison. It's safe to fill out your census form, and you'll also be helping your family and your community when you do so.

 

If you have neighbors, co-workers, friends or family who don't think it's important to be counted, tell them they DO count and that the census matters.  Let them know it is safe, and how it benefits them. By sharing this information, you can play an important role in making sure that we are all counted and that we get our fair share of representation and funding.

 

I especially want to ask members of the media here tonight to help spread the word. You are members of the community and you can help educate our residents, especially those who don't speak English as a first language. Because of the diversity of our community, it is important that we promote the importance of the census in multiple languages, not only English. You especially can play a role in making sure ALL of our residents are counted, even those of us who may be difficult to reach.  

 

To help with this effort, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appointed a committee of residents that represents the diversity of our community. I'd like to ask Fairfax County  Complete Count Committee members who are in the room to stand up to be recognized. I personally want to thank you for your work. 

 

Specifically, we are asking our community and press to: 

 

• Learn all you can about the Census.  Information is available on the county's web page and U.S. census web pages  

• Write articles about the Census before April 1 

• Set up interviews and broadcast information and announcements on radio and TV 

• Publish Census information in newsletters, brochures, flyers, on your web page 

• Send Census information out electronically - text, tweet, put it on your facebook page, and distribute Census information in emails. 

 

Help us start the dialogue in the community.  Word of mouth is a powerful tool.

 

 

I encourage everyone to fill out their census form and mail it back by April 1. With just a 10 minute investment of time, you can help to bring back millions of dollars for our schools, roads, and other services.  One of my favorite quotes is a Woody Allen Quote, "80% of success in life is showing up."  It is important to ALL of us that ALL of us show up in our Community Snapshot.

GREAT NEWS ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FRONT! (posted November 24, 2009)

On Monday, November 16th, I was extremely pleased to welcome the Ignite Institute to Fairfax!  Please see the attached picture taken at the event (courtesy of Anne Ford Doyle, Inova.)

This announcement is on the heels of the decisions by Hilton Worldwide and SAIC to relocate their headquarters to Fairfax County.  

Participating in the ceremony were members of the Board of Supervisors, Governor Tim Kaine, Governor-Elect Bob McDonnell, and Gerald Gordon, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA). 

At the ceremony Governor Kaine announced a $3 million grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund.  The Ignite Institute will be eligible to receive additional incentive grant funds subject to General Assembly approval.

Fairfax County did not contribute any monetary incentives. 

The Ignite Institute is a unique nonprofit center that applies the latest genomic, biomedical and technological innovations to pioneer the development of personalized health care at the community level. The project's $200 million investment will create 415 new jobs over five years. 

A founding partner in the initiative is Fairfax County-based Inova Health System, and more partners in Virginia and the Washington, D.C. area will be announced in the coming months.

By deciding to locate in Fairfax County, Ignite will be able to take advantage of the many great things that Fairfax County has to offer.  One of our best resources is our workforce, one of the most educated and highly skilled labor forces in the world.  Ignite's decision to locate here will strengthen the county economy and Ignite will become an important part of an already dynamic business community. 

We look forward to working with Ignite and having the institute as part of our community for years to come. 

 

 

PUTTING TYSONS TRANSPORTATION COST ESTIMATES IN CONTEXT (posted November, 2009

 

An article in  The Washington Post on Friday, October 30, 2009, "Tysons will need $15 billion -- 'with a B'" gives the impression that the costs for "Transforming Tysons" will break the bank and makes the changes unwise.  Neither is true and it's important to put the order of magnitude cost estimates as presented by County staff last week, in context.  

 

Starting with the  $14.8 billion figure in staff's charts for "Projects Serving Tysons 2010 - 2030 and 2030 - 2050."  Of this:

 

- $5.5 billion is for the Dulles Metrorail Silver line capital costs ($5.2 B), funding for which is already accounted for through tolls, federal funding, and special tax districts for commercial land owners in the area.  Operating costs are estimated at ($0.3 B) over 40 years.

 

- $5.4 billion is for the future westward extension of the I-66 Metrorail line.  Also included in this figure is an estimate for another Metrorail or other high capacity transit system extension in the County (location not yet identified).  This figure includes estimates for commuter parking facilities outside of Tysons, and express bus service on the Beltway HOT lanes, I-66, and other major corridors, some of which will carry passengers to Tysons.  

 

-$1.2 billion is for the proposed grid of streets within Tysons, including the costs of land.  These costs will be captured in large part as development occurs. 

 

Which leaves:

              

$2.7 billion in estimated transit and roadway capital and operating costs associated with the Tysons Plan over a 40-year period of time.

 

The Tysons Plan is a 40-year Plan.  While $2.7 billion over the next 40 years sounds like a large number, it breaks down to $67 million per year.  This figure includes operational costs for enhanced bus service and a new circulator in Tysons, some of which will be paid in fares by riders. 

 

Our region has grown and prospered over the past 40 years.  We will continue to grow during the next 40 years.  Some of that growth will be in Fairfax County. 

 

When we look back forty years to 1969, Fairfax County had a population of roughly 500,000 people. Since that time, working with the state, the federal governments and landowners, we have made transportation improvements to support our growing population: 

 

• building the entire regional Metrorail system including the extensions to Franconia-Springfield, Huntington, and Vienna in Fairfax County,

• implementing the Fairfax Connector bus service, 

• widening the Capital Beltway, I-66, and I-95 multiple times, 

• building the Dulles Toll Road, the Fairfax County Parkway, the Springfield Mixing Bowl, and 

• countless other roadway widening, intersection, and grade-separated interchange improvements.   

 

Today with a population of nearly 1.2 million, we are planning ahead for how we will accommodate our future growth in a way that addresses the challenges our past growth patterns have presented us with.  What is particularly important about the Tysons Vision is that growth is oriented around mass transit and represents a shift in our planning paradigm. Tysons will be an urban growth center created to be less reliant on the automobile.  It will provide people with multiple transportation options. The plan proposed by County staff calls for reducing car trips in and out of Tysons by 65%. 

 

More urban mixed use transit-oriented land-use patterns, in addition to our single family subdivisions, will provide County residents with a diversity of life style choices at all stages in life. By offering more transit-oriented urban-style communities as we prepare for our future growth, we will be able to better address the transportation and environmental challenges that plague us today.

 

 

YEAR-LONG I-95 RAMP CLOSURE ACCOMPANIES FAIRFAX COUNTY PARKWAY DETOUR

 

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will close I-95 southbound Exit 166B to Alban Road for one year starting Thursday, Nov. 5. This closure allows crews to prepare the site at Fullerton Road and the Fairfax County Parkway for a future overpass that will carry the parkway over Fullerton Road. Motorists on southbound I-95 headed for Fullerton Road should use Exit 167.

 

The closure is part of a larger detour that will be implemented in the overnight hours on Friday, Nov. 6, when the intersection of Fullerton Road and the Fairfax County Parkway will be completely closed. Motorists will be detoured to Boudinot Drive or a new detour road that links directly to the parkway. The segment of Fullerton Road between Backlick Road and the Fairfax County Parkway will be limited to local traffic only.

 

These detours will be in place for nearly one year as the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Department of the Army and VDOT complete the final two-mile stretch of the Fairfax County Parkway from Rolling Road to Fullerton Road. Phase I & II of the parkway project, which includes the four-lane parkway and the intersection with Rolling Road, will be completed in late 2010. Phases III and IV, which include ramps to Boudinot Drive and Hooes Road, will be completed in 2012.

 

For more information please visit: www.fairfaxcountyparkway.org or www.VAmegaprojects.com/news/featured-headlines/fullerton-road-detour-nears/

 

 

TAX DISTRICT CREATED FOR PHASE II OF RAIL TO DULLES (Posted October 15, 2009)

 

Great news! Last Friday signed petitions were presented to Fairfax County to establish the Phase II Tax District which will build three Metrorail stations to serve the Reston/Herndon area in the Dulles corridor.  This is a major milestone for the construction of Rail to Dulles. 

 

A majority, well exceeding the required 51%, of commercial landowners in the Western Dulles Corridor have voluntarily agreed to create a special tax district to pay for the construction of Metrorail stations in the Reston and Herndon areas. This tax district will provide $330 million in capital funding for the project. This will be a major economic boon for the County and the corridor, and will provide a much needed transit option for that part of the county.  

 

On behalf of the Board I would like to extend thanks to these landowners for having the vision and foresight to take this critical step despite these difficult economic times. In particular, I'd like to thank members of the Western Alliance for Rail to Dulles (WARD) for their leadership in bringing the property owners together to sign this petition.  

 

I'd also like to recognize the tireless efforts of my colleagues on the Board, Supervisors Cathy Hudgins and John Foust, for their efforts in ensuring that the new Silver Line will have stations between Tysons Corner and the Dulles Airport servicing the western corridor.   

 

Rail to Dulles is one of our Board's top priorities. In the months since I took office in February, we have seen the signing of the Full Funding Grant Agreement with the federal Government, this summer the Commonwealth secured its share of the funding, construction has begun on Phase I of the project, and now we have secured funding for stations in the Western Corridor. 

 

Major transportation projects are not an easy undertaking and are the culmination of years of effort. In concept this project began four decades ago with the construction of the Dulles Airport. This effort began in earnest under the leadership of Kate Hanley when she was Chairman of the Fairfax Board and her successor Gerry Connolly worked hard to keep it going and put in countless hours keeping the project on track.  

 

We have much left to do and the project is far from complete. The next steps for creating a tax district are public hearings and approval by the Herndon Town Council and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Our Board hopes to hold those hearings in November and have formally adopted the district by the end of the year.