At its June 7 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to request that the Fairfax County Circuit Court approve including a meals tax referendum on the ballot for the November 8, 2016 general election. Many jurisdictions in Northern Virginia, including Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax City, Herndon, and Vienna, already have a meals tax. In November, County voters will have the opportunity to vote for or against implementing a 4 percent tax on prepared foods and beverages in Fairfax County.
 
Fairfax County has very limited authority to diversify its revenue stream. Most potential revenue streams are capped or require General Assembly action to be adjusted. As a result, the County's budget is heavily reliant on real estate taxes, which account for almost sixty-five percent (65%) of the General Fund. Nearly eighty percent (80%) of the County's total real estate tax revenues are paid by residential property owners.
 
The Board of Supervisors has long supported revenue diversification but does not have the authority to implement a meals tax unless approved by the voters. The Board's action to place it on the ballot gives that choice to Fairfax County residents. The Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget estimates that approximately $100 million in revenue would be generated from a 4 percent meals tax in the first year. That is equivalent to more than 4 cents on the real estate tax rate. Seventy percent (70%) of the net revenue generated from the meals tax would go to Fairfax County Public Schools, and the remaining thirty percent (30%) would go to Fairfax County services, capital improvements, and property tax relief.

If a meals tax is approved by voters, it would apply to tourists, commuters and travelers, as well as residents who choose to dine out. It is estimated that non-County residents eating in Fairfax County would generate nearly thirty percent (30%) of total meals tax revenue annually for Fairfax County.

Signs that are removed will be stored for five calendar days at the I-66 Transfer Station where they may be reclaimed. Signs will be destroyed after five days.

The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, is re-initiating a planning process for the rehabilitation of the northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP). The NPS is accepting public comments through July 8 to inform the beginning stages of an Environmental Assessment (EA).

The project, which is not currently funded, will address the rehabilitation of the GWMP from Spout Run to the Capital Beltway in Virginia. The EA will analyze reconstructing the asphalt pavement and constructing new concrete curbs, replacing drainage inlets and culverts, stabilizing erosion at drainage outfalls, improving safety to roadside barriers, options to reconfigure the interchange at Route 123 and GWMP, and other small project elements.

Members of the public and organizations are encouraged to provide comments no later than July 8, 2016, via online submission through the National Park Service Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) project website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/northparkway. 

Comments may also be submitted by mail to the address below:

Superintendent
George Washington Memorial Parkway
c/o Turkey Run Park
McLean, VA 22101

The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Potomac Meadows Water Quality Improvements project near Monalaine Court and Riverbend Road in Great Falls was substantially completed in March 2016. The primary goal of this project was to improve water quality treatment within the watershed by retrofitting the Potomac Meadow dry detention pond and the outfall channel downstream of the pond. 

The work included retrofit of the existing drainage channel, replacement of driveway culverts, installation of a constructed stormwater wetland, installation of a bio-swale, and replacement of the existing top structure with a modified top. The site was graded for positive drainage and restored with selective seed mix and replanting of trees and shrubs. 

The McLean Revitalization Corporation (MRC) applied for and was awarded $120,000 in federal grant money for the Mclean Gateway-Old Dominion Drive project. The required local match funding came from the McLean Community Foundation, McLean Properties LLC, and Supervisor Foust's Dranesville District Walkway Fund.

The landscape median and "Welcome to McLean" sign on Old Dominion Drive near McLean Drive (pictured below) was recently completed and landscaped to provide a welcoming and attractive entrance into downtown McLean. These improvements remind motorists that McLean is pedestrian friendly and encourage drivers to slow down.

View of "Welcome to McLean" sign looking east towards downtown McLean. The sign says "McLean is a pedestrian and pedestrian friendly community. Please drive carefully."

There are four signs throughout downtown McLean designed in a similar style. The signs are located on:

• Chain Bridge Road on the median near the Westmoreland Street intersection
• Chain Bridge Road near the Dolley Madison Boulevard intersection
• Old Dominion Drive near the Beverly Road intersection
• Old Dominion Drive near the Mclean Drive intersection (shown above)

The four signs were designed and constructed with grant funds also awarded to the MRC.

The Lord and Lady Fairfax Awards Program honors two volunteer leaders from each Magisterial District every year. The honorees are selected for their outstanding volunteer service in their home districts or for an act of heroism. This program is a long-standing partnership between Celebrate Fairfax! and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Col. William Glenn Yarborough, Jr. and Ms. Barbara Glakas are the 2016 Lord and Lady Fairfax for the Dranesville District.

Lord and Lady Fairfax Award Winners from each district were recognized at the June 7 Board Meeting. Photo credit: Fairfax County.

2016 Lord and Lady Fairfax for the Dranesville District, Ms. Barbara Glakas and Col. William Glenn Yarborough Jr., with Supervisor Foust. Photo credit: Fairfax County.

Ms. Barbara Glakas is a lifelong resident of Fairfax County and a retired teacher and coach in the County's public school system. She is a member of Herndon's Cultivating Community Initiative, which undertakes the Herndon Garden Tour and the Good Neighbor Award. Ms. Glakas is a member of the Herndon Historical Society, serving as docent at the Herndon Depot museum, as well as the County's Barbara Varon Volunteer Award Selection Committee. She also volunteers at ArtSpace Herndon. Ms. Glakas is a member of the Dranesville District Budget Task Force, a former umpire for Youth Optimist baseball, and a former member of the Fairfax County Athletic Council. She is the recipient of the 2008 Exemplary Citizen Planner Award from the Town of Herndon's Planning Commission and the Mayor's Distinguished Service Award for Volunteerism in 2011.

Col. William Glenn Yarborough, Jr. is a consummate volunteer in McLean. He has served for six years as the Commander of the American Legion Post 270, and is Vice Commander of the 17th District, which has 7100 members. Col. Yarborough organizes Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies throughout the community. A former president of the McLean Rotary Club, Col. Yarborough is currently its Foundation Chair and was the Rotarian of the Year in 2013. Col. Yarborough is President of the Friends of the McLean Community Center and the George Washington Chapter of the Association of the United States Army. In this role and along with its 4500 members, he actively supports wounded warriors and veterans. Col. Yarborough served as the audit and finance chair of the Easter Seals Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia chapter and raises funds for many organizations such as SPARC and the Falls Church-McLean Children's Center.