Tag: government services
Fairfax County plans to install solar panels on government buildings
The Mason Government Center. Fairfax County is proposing a plan to install solar panels at 22 public buildings. The Board of Supervisors is holding a public hearing March 9 on a proposal to lease county-owned property to Sigora Solar LLC for the installation, operation, and maintenance of solar photovoltaic panels for electricity generation.
Draft county budget would cut real estate tax rate
The Fairfax County Government Center Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill is proposing a 1-cent decrease in the residential real estate tax for fiscal year 2022. That would help offset a big increase in real estate value over the past year, Hill told the Board of Supervisors in his presentation on an advertised budget Feb. 23.
Fairfax County addresses confusion on vaccine registration
Now that the Virginia Department of Health has put out a statewide COVID-19 vaccination registration system, there have been a lot of questions about why Fairfax County isn’t participating in it. The Fairfax County Department of Health launched its own Vaccine Registration and Data Dashboard and Registration Status Checker last week.
Opinion: Park Authority funding priorities address community needs
The following opinion piece, by William G. Bouie, chairman of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, was submitted in response to Jan. 19 article by Marie Reinsdorf raising concerns about the board’s decision-making focus on revenue generation. We live in an age when relying on solid facts is more critical than ever. Just part of the … Continued
Opinion: How the Park Authority’s increasing focus on parks-as-a-business is bad for us
The pool at the Oak Marr RECenter has a beach area and hot tub. By Marie Reinsdorf A friend returned from a swim at Oak Marr RECenter recently and proclaimed: “It’s big, beautiful! Compare it to Providence. Where Audrey Moore is the Chevy, Oak Marr is the Cadillac.” Well, I told her, that is by … Continued
Park bonds: The public needs good reporting
This chart is from a Park Authority brochure on the 2020 park bond. By Marie Reinsdorf A few weeks ago I wrote about my experience looking into bond fund expenditures at the John & Margaret White Gardens. I decided to write more about park themes and issues. In this piece, I take a quick look … Continued
CDC imposes eviction moratorium
An eviction protest in July in Alexandria. [Janet Barnett/Connection] Northern Virginia residents worried about paying rent could be helped by a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order issued Sept. 3 to temporarily halt evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. That order is critical, as a moratorium on evictions authorized by the … Continued
Fairfax County property taxes due Friday
The Fairfax County Government Center [Keith Pham] Fairfax County property taxes are due Friday, Aug. 28. That’s a month later than usual, as the Board of Supervisors approved a one-month delay to accommodate people facing hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic. The board also reduced the late fees for taxes. For 2020 only, the penalty for … Continued
Protesters object to postal service cutbacks
Dozens of people attended a rally on Lee Highway in front of the Merrifield Post Office Aug. 22 to protest efforts to curtail mail service. “We’re here to support the right to vote safely by mail,” said organizer Mary Farrell of the Vienna Postcard Group. “Mail is deliberately being slowed, and postal workers are concerned about … Continued
Fairfax County summer camps canceled
Park trails, like this one at Luria Park in Annandale, are open, but just about all other Fairfax County park facilities remain closed. The Fairfax County Park Authority and the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) have cancelled all summer camp programs, due to the COVID-19 crisis. That includes all summer camps sponsored by the … Continued
Yard waste collection to start next week
This is how Fairfax County wants people to bundle yard waste. Fairfax County will resume yard waste collection pickups the week of May 25, and started special pickups on May 18. The county had cut back on waste collection in March to protect sanitation workers during the pandemic. Yard waste – including grass trimmings, leaves, … Continued
Fairfax County seeks public input on CARES funds
The Fairfax County flag in front of the government center was flown at half staff on March 29 in honor of COVID victims. Fairfax County is getting $5.2 million in federal funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for housing and emergency funding needs. (That just a small part of the … Continued
COVID takes a big bite out of county budget
Fairfax County Chief Financial Officer Joe Mondoro and Mason Supervisor Penny Gross speak at a virtual Mason District Budget Town Hall. A virtual budget town hall hosted by Mason Supervisor Penny Gross revealed how much Fairfax County’s economic picture has been upended by the coronavirus pandemic. At the last Mason District budget town hall, on … Continued
Spiritual Support Team aids older residents overwhelmed by coronavirus fears
A Call Center staff member answer questions about COVID-19. The Fairfax County Spiritual Support Team is offering support by telephone to adults age 60 and over who are feeling overwhelmed, scared, isolated, and in need of comfort during the coronavirus pandemic. Fairfax County announced this service in its Emergency Information blog April 20. The team … Continued
Financial aid available for small businesses hurt by pandemic – apply now before the money runs out
If you own a small business that’s facing economic hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic, several new federal programs could provide a lifeline. The office of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) has prepared a guide on the assistance available to small business under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and other sources. These … Continued