A Penny For Your Thoughts:
News of Greater Falls Church

By Penny Gross (D-Mason)
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Assessments, tax rates, and the Fairfax County budget for Fiscal Year 2007 will be the focus of discussion at the Mason District Spring Town Meeting next Wednesday, March 22, at Parklawn Elementary School, 4116 Braddock Road in the Lincolnia area of Mason District. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Fairfax County Executive Anthony H. Griffin will present an overview of his proposed county budget, assisted by Chief Financial Officer Edward Long. After the presentation, both Mr. Griffin and Mr. Long will answer questions from the audience.

The County Executive’s Advertised Budget for FY 2007 proposes expenditures of $3.2 billion, an increase of 2.74 percent from the FY 2006 Revised Budget Plan. In conformance with the Board of Supervisors’ Budget Guidelines for FY 2007, the proposed budget is balanced, increases funding for schools by six percent, or an additional $85.88 million, and includes a recommended seven-cent reduction in the real estate tax rate. The current rate of $1 per $100 of assessed value would drop to 93 cents, and the Board of Supervisors is committed to reducing the rate even further.

The proposed budget maintains the Board’s commitment to the county’s strategic priorities, including a strong investment in education, public safety and gang prevention, affordable housing, transportation improvements, and revenue diversification to reduce the burden on homeowners. New positions recommended by the County Executive are nearly all a result of public safety needs and opening new facilities. Three new fire stations will open during the next two years, and a fourth person would be added to each Rescue Company, consistent with National Fire Protection Association standards. Twenty-four new police patrol officers are recommended, and several new positions also would staff the Criminal Investigations Bureau. Financial crimes, especially identity theft and credit card fraud, are increasing in the region, demanding additional detectives. Increased calls for service also prompted the County Executive to recommend three more Animal Control Officers in the new budget.

There are several opportunities for Fairfax County residents to comment on the proposed budget. In addition to the Mason District Spring Town Meeting, budget public hearings will be held the evenings of April 3, 4, and 5 in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center in Fairfax. To sign up as a speaker, you may call the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors at 703/324-3151 (TTY: 703/324-3903). The Board Auditorium is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Another public meeting of interest to residents in the Falls Church area will present the latest preferred alternative for the Columbia Pike Transit project, which would connect the Pentagon City and Skyline areas with modified streetcar service (an initial streetcar line with supporting bus service). The meeting will be held on Monday, March 20, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Sheraton National Hotel, 900 South Orme Street in Arlington (off Columbia Pike just west of the Pentagon). For more information, call 703/892-2776, or visit the Web site at www.piketransit.com.