Dranesville Virtual Town Hall To Focus On Revised Budget Proposal

MCLEAN, VA — Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust will host a virtual town hall on the revised Fairfax County fiscal year 2021 budget on Tuesday, April 21 at 7 p.m. The revised budget proposal accounts for anticipated impacts of the new coronavirus crisis. Residents can ask questions and provide feedback during the meeting and during the Fairfax County public hearings on the budget.

"The Revised Proposal would eliminate the tax rate and fee increases included in the Advertised Budget," said Foust in a newsletter to constituents. "In addition, most new spending has been eliminated or re-prioritized to address services deemed essential to meet community needs during the coronavirus pandemic and to support recovery."

County Executive Bryan Hill submitted a revised budget proposal to the Board of Supervisors on April 7. The budget eliminates the proposed 3-cent real estate tax rate, which would keep the rate at $1.15 per $100 of assessed value. In addition, the proposed 4 percent admissions tax on movie, theater and concert tickets has been withdrawn.

Hill said the pandemic's impact on Fairfax County's revenue is hard to predict, prompting him to defer spending adjustments from his original budget proposal. Officials are anticipating impacts on sales tax, transient occupancy tax, business, professional and occupational licenses tax, building and inspection fees, and interest on investments. The operating fund transfer to Fairfax County Public Schools would increase by $7.31 million instead of the $85.52 million increase originally proposed.

According to Foust, county employee pay increases are no longer being proposed, although the county plans to maintain current positions. Most new positions are no longer in the new proposed budget, although there are exceptions for public health positions and one for the county's Office of Elections. In addition, $9.84 million would be put in a reserve in response to health and economic impacts of the coronavirus.

Foust and Fairfax County Chief Financial Officer Joe Mondoro will discuss the budget proposal and answer questions during the virtual meeting. The virtual town hall will be shown on the county's Channel 16 (Cox Channel 1016 or Verizon/Comcast Channel 16), streamed online, and streamed live on Foust's Facebook page. Residents can submit questions during the meeting by calling 703-324-1114 or posting them in the comments on the Facebook live stream. Questions can also be sent ahead of the meeting by emailing Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov with "Dranesville District Budget Town Hall" in the subject line. The Facebook Live recording will be available after the event.

More opportunities for public feedback will be upcoming public hearings, rescheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 29 at 3 p.m., and Thursday, April 30 at 3 p.m. Written testimony can be submitted by emailing ClerktotheBOS@fairfaxcounty.gov or filling out the online form. Residents can sign up to provide testimony by phone during the hearings. Pre-recorded video testimony is also accepted. In-person testimony is not allowed.