Welcome to the podcast of meeting highlights for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Sept. 8, 2008.
The Board approved the budget carryover package which reflected a state budget reduction of $3.9 million and established a reserve of $12.4 million to address FY 2010 budget requirements. It also funded the extension of a $13.13 per hour living wage to limited term employees who are scheduled to work 1,039 hours or more per year. Also, the Board told the county executive to report back at the next board meeting on Sept. 22, 2008, on various ways that the county can enhance savings during the current fiscal year (FY 2009) which would enable us to apply the savings to the FY 2010 budget which has a projected deficit of more than $400 million. Some of the ways could be to limit filling vacant positions, look at replacing vehicles on a priority basis, and to review and possibly limit travel, training, and consultant services.
The Board received a presentation of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments draft climate change report that includes significant greenhouse gas reduction goals for the region as well as 78 recommendations to help area leaders and the public meet the targets. It is open for comments through September 30th. The COG Board expects to vote on the final report and recommendations in the fall.
The Board approved the schedule of board meetings for calendar year 2009; this schedule will be formally adopted at their first meeting next year, January 12, 2009, per the code of Virginia.
Between the morning and afternoon sessions of the meeting, the Board attended the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Memorial Grove, behind the government center. Three speakers shared their thoughts on this seven-year anniversary of 9/11: Chairman Gerry Connolly, Fire Chief Ronald Mastin; and Police Chief David Rohrer.
The Board appointed Nannette M. Bowler as director of the Department of Family Services (DFS). She will begin on Sept. 29. Bowler was chief judge of the Family Division for the 8th Judicial Circuit, Ionia County, Michigan. She has also served in the governor's Cabinet as head of the Michigan Family Independence Agency, where she directed 22 programs, including child welfare and adult protective services.
The Board appointed George Braunstein as executive director of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board. He will begin on Oct. 13. Currently, Braunstein is executive director of the Chesterfield Community Services Board, which provides services to more than 8,000 annually and prevention services to another 6,000 annually. He has more than 24 years of experience in public and private sector behavioral health service systems, including experience as a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Board members expressed their appreciation and thanks to the staff from many different agencies who responded over the weekend to the AEOC and various locations in the county to deal with the impacts of Tropical Storm Hanna.
That’s all for this podcast of meeting highlights for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, thanks for listening. For more information about the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, including full meeting minutes and documents, visit the county Web site: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/board. This podcast is produced by the Fairfax County, VA, government.