The Falls Church City Council went into closed session tonight to discuss details of the terms with Fairfax County for the sale of the City’s water system to the County. The outcome of the meeting was intended to provide language for a City ordinance authorizing the sale that would be passed in late June and then subject to approval by a public referendum in November.

The water system has been appraised with a value of $40 million, and the City, under terms already agreed to by both parties, will annex about 40 acres of land at its west end, including the property where George Mason High School and Henderson Middle School now sit. The Council is slated to adopt the “first reading” of the ordinance on June 10, with final approval coming two weeks later.