In Fairfax County, when we adopt the budget, we are investing in the priorities and needs of the community. At the center of this open and transparent process is community engagement. It is critical that we have the community at the table with us when we are considering changes to the budget that the County Executive released for advertisement at our Board Meeting on Feb. 25. Below are some opportunities to learn about the budget, ask questions and make suggestions during the months of March and April. I look forward to hearing from you.
Ask Fairfax Chat: The Ask Fairfax Chat is a great opportunity for residents to submit questions about the County's proposed Fiscal 2015 budget directly to County Executive Ed Long. The chat takes place online from 2-3 p.m. on Friday, Feb, 28. To submit questions and join the chat visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/askfairfax.
Track BOS Budget Questions: You can view the answers to budget questions asked by the Board of Supervisors throughout the budget process at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb/qa_search.htm.
Sign up to speak: All public hearings take place in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Virginia 22035) and are open to the public. To sign up to speak at a hearing, please visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/speaker_bos.htm or call 703-324-3151.
Important public hearing dates:
Effective Tax Rate Hearing - Board Auditorium - Govt. Center - 3 p.m., April 8, 2014
Public Hearing - Board Auditorium - Govt. Center - 6 p.m., April 8, 2014
Public Hearing - Board Auditorium - Govt. Center - 3 p.m., April 9, 2014
Public Hearing - Board Auditorium - Govt. Center - 3 p.m., April 10, 2014
BUDGET FORUMS AND TOWN MEETINGS will be hosted by Supervisors and community organizations throughout the county. Below is a list of currently scheduled meetings. Information on additional forums, as well as a current full budget calendar, will be listed in the coming weeks at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb.
Hunter Mill District Meeting, Frying Pan Park, 2709 W. Ox Road, Herndon — Saturday, March 1, 9 a.m.
Dranesville District Budget Meeting, Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls — Wednesday, March 5, 7 p.m.
Braddock District Budget Meeting, Kings Park Library, Braddock Hall, 9000 Burke Lake Rd, Burke — Wednesday, March 12, 7:30 p.m.
Herndon Town Council, Herndon Town Council Chambers, 765 Lynn Street, Herndon — Thursday, March 13, 7 p.m.
Mason District Budget Meeting, TBD — Tuesday, March 18 - 7 p.m.
Providence District Budget Meeting, Dunn Loring Admin Center, 2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring — Tuesday, March 18, 7 p.m.
Dranesville District Budget Meeting, McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean — Thursday, March 20, 7 p.m.
Lee District Budget Meeting, Franconia Government Center, 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria — Wednesday, March 26, 7:30 p.m.
Braddock Town Hall, Robinson Secondary School, 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax —
Tuesday, April 1, 7:30 p.m.
I hope you will take the time to learn about and participate in this year’s budget process. You can contact my office directly by calling 703-324-2321 or emailing chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov.