Public Affairs

As it vies for more data centers, Fairfax County approved Coresite Realty’s plans for a new, more than 943,600 square foot data center in Reston on a second campus.

The Board of Supervisors signed off on the company’s plans on July 31, 2018. This marks the first approval under new provisions in the county’s land use policy that were put in place to more easily allow data centers to locate in Fairfax County.

Coresite will build its new data center at Sunrise Technology Park which it bought from Boston Properties for $60 million in 2016. The almost 22-acre property is located at Sunrise Valley Drive, near Glade Drive.

Coresite will transform the site that currently has four, 1980s-era office buildings. The project will remake 463,212 square feet of office space into a data center with up to 943,600 square feet.

Two of the existing, one-story buildings will remain, and Coresite will demolish the others. Six new buildings ranging from two to four stories will replace them. Coresite plans to build out its overall campus in four phases.

Construction is already underway on the first phase. The company is renovating the office buildings at 12369 and 12379 Sunrise Valley Drive into data centers. With its development plans now approved, it will be able to add a new, two-story data center building and a four-story, infrastructure building as part of this first phase.

Data Centers Drive Economic Growth

Fairfax officials want to attract more data centers and other technology firms to the county as part of its strategic plan to grow and diversify the economy.

Data centers create high paying jobs, attract high skilled workers and generate a large economic impact. For example, Coresite says that it’s new center may employ about 150 workers, and it could invest up to $500 million in this facility when fully built out. At its current center in Reston, the company invested $417 million and employs 73 workers.

Data centers account for more than 8,600 jobs in Northern Virginia, and they generated $5.7 billion in economic output, according to a recent report by the Northern Virginia Technology Council. Workers earn $121,688 on average in our area.

In Fairfax County, there are at least 43 data centers occupying about 2.5 million square feet of space, according to the county’s Economic Development Authority.

Land Use Policy Encourages More Data Centers

Fairfax County updated its land use plan about 18 months ago to make it easier for data centers to build larger facilities in certain industrial districts, such as Coresite’s newest campus.

The change was made specifically to support the county’s efforts to grow the economy.

The new policy allows for centers that are bigger than what’s recommended as a baseline in the Comprehensive Plan. Importantly, it also eliminates the need for qualified centers to go through the process to amend the land use plan first in order to seek a larger facility. This makes it both faster and easier to open up shop.

However, data centers must meet specific criteria to benefit from this policy. This includes demonstrating they will generate less traffic than the amount of development recommended in the land use plan.

Coresite's Presence in Fairfax County

Denver-based Coresite opened its first data center in Reston 10 years ago, purchasing property at 12100 Sunrise Valley Drive from AOL. This two-building facility offers more than 390,000 square feet of turn-key data center capacity, and the company is working to expand its capacity at this location.

The center offers direct connections to five of the major public cloud providers, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, IBM, and Alibaba.

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Fairfax County Executive Bryan J. Hill presented his recommendations for use of Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 carryover funds to the Board of Supervisors today. Carryover is the process by which certain unspent or unencumbered funds for commitments to pay for goods and services at the end of one fiscal year are reappropriated to the next fiscal year. FY 2018 ended on June 30, 2018.

The FY 2018 carryover balance, after funding prior year obligations and associated reserves, is $58.16 million, which is approximately 1.4 percent of the county’s total General Fund budget. Hill’s recommended allocation:

• $47.66 million to be allocated in the carryover package as follows:
  • $34.89 million for funding county reserves and infrastructure needs based on county policy.
  • $6.03 million to support infrastructure needs at county facilities, including emergency repairs in the event of major systems failures, infrastructure replacement and upgrades at county facilities, space realignment and reconfiguration projects to maximize owned space. Also included are renovations and improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  • $2.42 million for new and continuing information technology (IT) projects.
  • $0.50 million to expand the capacity of the Artemis House domestic violence shelter.
  • $1.03 million for other requirements such as increasing the capacity of the School-Age Child Care (SACC) Program, extending the hours of the Rec-Pac Program and providing forestry services to address hazardous trees in county parks. In addition, at no net cost to the county, 26 positions are added to address increasing public assistance caseloads, eight positions are added to address increasing caseloads in Adult and Aging programs and eight positions to enhance the TARGET Program that identifies vehicles that are not properly registered.
  • $2.79 million in reserves associated with disbursement increases funded in the carryover package.
  • Other adjustments with no net impact to the General Fund includes $2 million to replenish the Economic Development Support Fund funded with debt service balances.
• $10.50 million to be held in reserve to address critical one-time requirements and funding needs. When added to the $0.12 million held in reserve as part of the 2019 Adopted Budget Plan, a total of $10.62 million is available for the Board of Supervisors' consideration as part of the carryover process.

Next steps: Sept. 25 is the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors, which will include public hearings on the carryover recommendations and a vote on the FY 2018 Carryover Budget Package.

2018 Carryover Budget Package

For the 16th year, Fairfax County has been recognized for excellence in performance management by the International City/County Management Association.

The county is among only 29 jurisdictions nationally to receive ICMA’s Certificate of Excellence in 2018, for its commitment to collect and analyze data, report it transparently and use it to continuously engage our communities and improve our performance.

The ICMA recognition is based on established criteria and awarded at three levels: Achievement, Distinction, and the highest level of recognition, Excellence. Recipients at all levels collect and verify data to ensure reliability, train staff in performance measurement, and report data to the public through budgets, communications and information provided to elected officials.

Certificates of Excellence go to jurisdictions that also track and report key outcomes, survey residents and local government employees, incorporate data into performance dashboards or other visual communications and foster the development of a performance culture throughout their organizations.

The county will be recognized at the ICMA’s 104th annual conference in Baltimore in September and in the October 2018 issue of PM (Public Management) magazine.

Fairfax County performance data is published along with the annual budget; the latest data is available at FY 2019 Adopted Budget Performance Measures. This data set includes data for three prior years as well as current and future year estimates. Additionally, Fairfax County has developed a set of 35 measures and indicators for the Economic Strategic Success Plan.

Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judge Todd G. Petit began his term as chief judge on July 1. He takes over from Judge Thomas P. Sotelo, who served for a two-year term. Petit has been a Fairfax County JDRDC judge since July 1, 2016. The court currently has six judges elected by the General Assembly for six-year terms.

Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court hears cases involving juveniles, crimes against juveniles and family matters (except divorce) in Fairfax County, the city of Fairfax and the towns of Herndon, Vienna and Clifton.

JDRDC programs include a Pre-Trial Supervision Program that allows juvenile offenders to remain in the community under supervision while awaiting trial, offering assessment, treatment and needed support while maintaining public safety.

Over the past year, JDRDC staff, the Fairfax County Police Department and Fairfax County Public Schools increased opportunities to divert youth from the juvenile justice system while still holding them accountable for their actions. The key components of the project include expanding the Alternative Accountability Program and implementing a new juvenile intake process to encompass additional opportunities for diversion.

Petit graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Northeastern University. His law degree is from Catholic University of America – Columbus School of Law.

Fairfax County General District Court Judge Lisa Mayne began her term as chief judge on July 1. She succeeds Judge Michael J. Cassidy, who has been the chief judge since March 2015. General District Court chief judges are elected every two years.

Mayne has been a Fairfax County General District Court judge since Oct. 1, 2006. The court currently has 10 judges elected by the General Assembly for six-year terms.

The General District Court handles approximately 300,000 court cases per year through its three divisions: civil and small claims; criminal; and traffic. Cases include landlord/tenant disputes, traffic summons, protective orders, personal injury claims, violations of local ordinances and criminal misdemeanors, among others.

Additionally, Mayne will oversee a court that, like the Fairfax Circuit Court, has one of the five Veteran Treatment Dockets currently operating in Virginia, an intensive court-supervised docket for military veterans with substance abuse and/or mental health issues. The Fairfax County General District Court is also involved in Diversion First, a county initiative that promotes alternatives to incarceration for people with mental illness or developmental disabilities coming into contact with the criminal justice system for low level offenses.

Mayne received her undergraduate degree from Pitzer College and her law degree from the George Mason University School of Law (now the Antonin Scalia Law School).

Fairfax County General District Court Judge Lisa Mayne began her term as chief judge on July 1. She succeeds Judge Michael J. Cassidy, who has been the chief judge since March 2015. General District Court chief judges are elected every two years.

Mayne has been a Fairfax County General District Court judge since Oct. 1, 2006. The court currently has 10 judges elected by the General Assembly for six-year terms.

The General District Court handles approximately 300,000 court cases per year through its three divisions: civil and small claims; criminal; and traffic. Cases include landlord/tenant disputes, traffic summons, protective orders, personal injury claims, violations of local ordinances and criminal misdemeanors, among others.

Additionally, Mayne will oversee a court that, like the Fairfax Circuit Court, has one of the five Veteran Treatment Dockets currently operating in Virginia, an intensive court-supervised docket for military veterans with substance abuse and/or mental health issues. The Fairfax County General District Court is also involved in Diversion First, a county initiative that promotes alternatives to incarceration for people with mental illness or developmental disabilities coming into contact with the criminal justice system for low level offenses.

Mayne received her undergraduate degree from Pitzer College and her law degree from the George Mason University School of Law (now the Antonin Scalia Law School).

Fairfax County’s Department of Vehicle Services was recognized by Government Fleet magazine and the American Public Works Association as the 15th Leading Fleet for 2018 out of more than 3,000 government level fleets. DVS Director Mark Moffatt accepted the award at The Honors Celebration during the Government Fleet Expo and Conference in San Diego, Calif., last month. 

The award recognizes operations that are performing at a high level, particularly in fleet leadership, competitiveness and efficiency, planning for the future and overcoming challenges. The 50 Leading Fleets represent the best in the industry. The Department of Vehicle Services provides fleet management and maintenance services for the county's and Fairfax County Public Schools’ vehicle fleets of 6,211 vehicles, including 1,625 school buses.

DVS’s four maintenance facilities — Alban, Jermantown, Newington and West Ox — have been awarded the Blue Seal of Excellence by meeting standards established by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. DVS currently has 176 technicians who have earned at least one ASE, 32 employees with at least one master ASE and eight employees with three or more master ASEs. In addition, all technicians who service motor vehicle air conditioners and the team that purchases and supplies stock have completed the ASE Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Program. “The professional certifications give our customers confidence and trust that their vehicles and equipment are being maintained and repaired properly, the first time,” says Moffatt.

DVS established a student internship program to train the next generation of technicians and parts specialists and developed new position classifications to hire graduates after high school. Seven students from three different schools participated in the fall and eight students from five different schools participated in the spring. Two interns have been offered full-time positions with DVS.  “This cultivates a stream of talented, young professionals that will carry the department forward,” points out Moffatt. 

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors today appointed John S. Butler as the county's next Fire and Rescue Department chief. He succeeds Chief Richard Bowers, who retired in April. Butler’s appointment is effective Sept. 1.

Butler has been with the Howard County, Md. Department of Fire and Rescue Services since 1993 and was appointed chief in 2014. He began as a firefighter-paramedic in Howard County, rising through the ranks to serve in a variety of roles with that department, including as battalion chief, emergency medical services chief and administrative chief. In addition to his firefighting experience, Butler served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 21 years, including two combat tours.

“After an extensive search including a community engagement process, Fairfax County is pleased to appoint Chief Butler to the position of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Chief,” said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova. “He will have the opportunity to lead an elite world-renowned department and I look forward to working with him.”

During his tenure in Howard County, Chief Butler expanded services, hired the most diverse firefighter/paramedic trainee class in the department’s history, helped establish the first and only local affiliate of the International Association of Women in Fire and Emergency Services (iWomen), established numerous community outreach programs, led the construction of several fire stations and improved service delivery and response times.

“We had a number of strong candidates, however, Chief Butler demonstrated the leadership, vision and communications skills that will move our excellent Fire and Rescue Department forward,” said County Executive Bryan Hill. “His proven experience and successful leadership at the helm of a large department will continue to strengthen our culture and contribute to a positive future for the department.”    

Butler holds a Master of Science in management from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Baltimore. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and holds a certificate from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Leadership in Crisis Program. He is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Human Relations Committee and Maryland’s Emergency Medical Services Board and is a 2014 recipient of Johns Hopkins University’s Global Achievement Award for his humanitarian work in Africa.

He will receive an annual salary of $201,878.77.

Fairfax County’s ambitious planning effort called Embark Richmond Highway won the 2018 Commonwealth Plan of the Year Award from the American Planning Association’s Virginia Chapter.

Embark is a sweeping, new land-use plan that supports walking, biking and a bus rapid transit, or BRT, system along Richmond Highway. The plan, which was adopted in March, transforms the 7.5 mile corridor into a multi-modal destination, featuring a series of vibrant, mixed use places that are connected with continuous walking and bike paths in addition to the BRT system.

The three-year effort involved multiple county agencies and community representatives, including the Department of Planning and Zoning, Department of Transportation, Office of Community Revitalization, Park Authority and a 13-member community advisory group.

The award will be presented on July 24, 2018, during the APA chapter’s annual conference.

The Commonwealth Plan of the Year Award honors the best planning document of the year. Award-winning plans must show that they include outstanding planning processes, vision, implementation strategies and innovative approaches.

For more information, contact Sophia Fisher, Department of Planning and Zoning, 703-324-1349, TTY 711.

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Fairfax County Government offices are closed Wednesday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. However, some facilities are open and schedules vary. For specific schedule information, click on the appropriate link below.

• Public Schools and School Offices
• Library
• Animal Shelter

Trash and Recycling

• County Trash and Recycling Collection - Residents should contact their trash and recycling collector directly for service schedule changes due to the holiday.
• Private Collection Service Providers
• I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex - Closed July 4

Courts

• Circuit Court
• General District Court
• Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Transportation

• Fairfax Connector
• Fastran

Parks, Recreation and Community Centers

• Park Authority (The Oak Marr and Wakefield farmers markets will be closed July 4.)
• Community Centers
• Teen and Senior Centers
• McLean Community Center and Old Firehouse Teen Center
• Reston Community Center