Tag: government services
Viewpoint: Fairfax County’s trash fee stinks!
By Greg Crider Fairfax County has the highest trash collection fee in the area, which is proposed to go even higher starting July 1. After raising the fee 25 percent over the past two years, County Executive Bryan Hill proposes to raise the fee yet again from the current rate of $610 to $630 a … Continued
Fairfax County expands textile recycling
Fairfax County has expanded its textile recycling program to three new locations, including the West Springfield Government Center, at 6140 Rolling Road. Residents can drop off clothing, shoes, and household textiles in blue Helpsy bins. The bins are also located at the Jim Scott Community Center in Fairfax, the Sully Government Center in Chantilly, the … Continued
Pennino Building to remain closed for months
The Pennino Building, which houses many of Fairfax County’s human services agencies and was damaged by flooding in February, won’t reopen until this summer, at the earliest. Significant progress has been made to repair various issues, including damage to the elevators, carpet, drywall, electrical components, and technology, the county announced on March 31. “But additional time … Continued
FY 2027 budget would retain current tax rate
Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill presented a FY 2027 advertised budget to the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 17 that proposes maintaining the current real estate tax rate of $1.1225 per $100 of assessed value. If that rate is adopted by the board, the average homeowner’s tax bill is projected to increase by approximately $356 … Continued
Pennino Building closed until further notice
Fairfax County’s Pennino Building remains closed since it was damaged by flooding caused by a water leak on Feb. 6. The building, at 12011 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax, will remain closed until further notice, according to Fairfax County’s emergency blog. Walk-in services are unavailable. The county urges people who need to drop off documents … Continued
HOA leaders oppose a USD
Not a single HOA representative who commented on a proposed Unified Sanitation District at a virtual meeting on Feb. 3 support the concept. The general consensus among the nearly 30 homeowner association leaders who spoke at the meeting is, “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” The USD proposal calls for the county to take … Continued
Trash haulers oppose the county’s takeover of waste collections
At a Jan. 21 meeting convened by the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, representatives of trash companies said Fairfax County’s proposal for a Unified Sanitation District would lead to fewer choices and higher costs while driving smaller companies out of business. The USD proposal calls for the county to take over … Continued
Fairfax County pauses yard waste collections this winter
Fairfax County will not pick up yard waste this winter, the Solid Waste Management Program announced on Dec. 17. During the period from Dec. 25 through the end of February, yard waste must be bagged and placed in a trash cart. Yard waste left on the curb will not be collected. Brush and tree limbs … Continued
County seeks youths for part-time jobs
The Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) is launching a Work Student Program for youths looking to build their skills and jump into real-world experiences by working for the county. The program, to begin in January, is aimed at high school students ages 16 and up, college students, and young adults. Participants … Continued
Fairfax County supports LGBTQ+ residents
Fairfax County has earned the highest score possible on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, a measure of support for LGBTQ+ residents. The county received the top score of 100 on the index, which rates cities and counties on how inclusive their policies and services are for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. … Continued
Residents complain about deteriorating conditions at the Bailey’s Shelter
The failure of New Hope Housing to adequately manage homeless shelters, including the one in Bailey’s Crossroads, has had a negative impact on clients, as well as staff. Shelter employees have complained about missing paychecks, suspended benefits, and shelters running out of supplies. Meanwhile, homeless people served by the shelter say conditions have deteriorated in … Continued
Fairfax County promises improved vacuum leaf collections
After major delays in vacuum leaf collections last year, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services has made several improvements to ensure leaf pickups go smoothly during the upcoming leaf season. In some cases, leaves were picked up a month late. By the time the vacuum trucks showed up, the wind had … Continued
BoS will consider alternatives to a USD
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26 approved a resolution to weigh alternatives before considering the establishment of a Unified Sanitation District. A public hearing on a USD, which had been scheduled for October, has been canceled. The USD concept calls for the county to take control of trash and recycling for single-family … Continued
Clerk of the court focuses on improved access
Fairfax County court records are now more accessible than ever, due to innovations implemented by Clerk of the Court Chris Falcon. “All people deserve the right to access their case information,” Falcon said at a community barbecue he hosted at Mason District Park on Aug. 16. Until recently, people had to physically go to the … Continued
Board defers USD hearing to October
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors deferred the public hearing on a Unified Sanitation District from June 24 to Oct. 14. That would provide more time to address the displacement of small trash haulers and carry out more outreach to the public, Board Chair Jeffrey McKay said at the June 10 board meeting. Related story: … Continued