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TextBoard of Supervisors Meeting Podcast Transcript: March 9, 2009
Welcome to the podcast of meeting highlights for the Fairfax County
Board of Supervisors meeting on March 9, 2009.
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The Board recognized Fairfax Cares for its efforts in the community to
help people with basic needs, such as food and shelter.
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In order to facilitate completion and allow the interchange project to
be advertised for construction at the end of 2009, 18 months ahead of
schedule, the Board approved more pedestrian lighting for the future
improvement project at Fair Lakes Parkway and Fairfax County
Parkway.
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The Board authorized advertisement of a real estate tax rate for FY
2010 of $1.05 per $100 of assessed value. The current FY 2009 rate is
$0.92. Advertising an increase in the rate does not prevent the board
from lowering any advertised tax rate, but a higher tax rate
cannot be imposed without advertising the higher rate. This $1.05 rate
will provide flexibility of one cent or $20.54 million above the county
executive’s FY 2010 proposed budget. Each one cent increase in the real
estate tax rate impacts the average residential taxpayer’s annual bill
by $45.92. In addition, the board authorized the advertisement of a
Stormwater Management Service fee of 1.5 cents per $100 of assessed
value to support stormwater management programs and services and
capital project requirements. Residents can submit comments about the
tax rate and the budget 24 hours a day on the county's Web site or by
calling the budget hotline at 703-324-9400. Public hearings before the
Board of Supervisors have been scheduled for Monday, March 30, at 7
p.m.; Tuesday, March 31, at 3 p.m.; and Wednesday, April 1, at 3 p.m.
To place your name on the speakers list, call 703-324-3151, TTY
703-324-3903, or sign up online.
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With Fairfax County facing a $58.2 million shortfall for the current
fiscal year (FY 2009), the Board approved the advertisement of the FY
2009 Third Quarter Review, which includes a withdrawal of $18.7 million
from the Revenue Stabilization Fund to close the budget gap. The
current Revenue Stabilization Policy permits a withdrawal when General
Fund revenue is decreased 1.5 percent from the current estimate. In
addition, the policy limits the withdrawal to one-half of the reserve
and required accompanying spending reductions. The current forecast, as
a result of the severe economic downturn, marks the first time these
conditions have been met since the creation of the fund in 1999.
Fairfax County, as an AAA-rated jurisdiction, has a history of strong
financial management and taking the actions necessary to responsibly
deal with the realities of the financial situation. The Board also
approved for advertisement a number of other steps to maintain a
balanced budget, including:
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Agency personnel budgets were reduced by an additional 3
percent.
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All non-essential travel and training has been canceled.
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All General Fund paydown capital project spending is being
reviewed.
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A furlough day was implemented on Jan. 2, 2009.
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Vehicle replacements scheduled for FY 2009 have been
suspended.
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Agency personnel budgets were reduced by an additional 3
percent.
- The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors received an update on critical transportation projects within the county. Sound walls are to be added along most of the Capital Beltway (I-495) High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes Project and landscaping plans are to be developed in coordination with adjacent communities to help mitigate concerns with the tree canopy loss and to take advantage of available green space.
That’s all for this podcast of meeting highlights for the Fairfax County
Board of Supervisors, thanks for listening.
The Office of Public Affairs is now using Twitter, a social media
platform that allows short messages/updates. Highlights of Board of
Supervisors meetings are now covered live on the county's Twitter page at
www.twitter.com/fairfaxcounty.
For more information about the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors,
including full meeting minutes and documents, visit the county Web site:
www.fairfaxcounty.gov
This podcast is produced by the Fairfax County, VA, government.
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