In this issue…

Patriot Park North Opening Marks 1st Sports Tourism Success – On Saturday, we cut the ribbon on Patriot Park North, the County’s first sports tourism facility. In 2017, I asked the Board to create the Sports Tourism Task Force to look at how the County could become a destination for sports competitions, competing for a share of the nearly 40-billion-dollar, recession-proof industry. The goal of the task force is to build high quality sports facilities for our residents, bring in tourism revenue to diversify our revenues, pay for the facilities and reduce the tax burden on residents. Already, there are 26 commitments for tournament events and camps between now and November, anticipated to net between $162,000 to more than $1 million in projected revenues per event. In addition, these tournaments are expected to generate over $11 million in direct economic impact in Fairfax County. More details below.
 
Workforce Retention Should be a Priority – Workforce is the issue of our decade, affecting all industries including the public sector. Staffing issues affect the primary function we provide for residents: critical services. My colleagues on the Board are pushing a false narrative that in the FY 2024 budget we can either fund competitive employee compensation or reduce the tax burden for residents, but not both. We can do both if we make the hard decisions like our residents must do every day about their household budgets. See more below.

Other News and Information

  • Shredding Events Being Hosted Near You!
  • Fentanyl Public Health Crisis Presentation (4/24)
  • Repaving Meeting (4/26)
  • Support ServiceSource – Wine in the Woods (4/27)
  • National Distracted Drivers Awareness Month
  • CRASE Training @ West Springfield District Station (April 25th)
  • AARP’s Fraud & Identity Theft Session @ Wellness Center for Older Adults (April 26th)
  • Bike to Work Day Pit Stop at West Springfield Gov. Center (5/19)
  • Beware of Callery Pear Trees!