Proposed Zoning Changes Could Impact Your Neighborhood 
  • County staff is proposing some zoning changes on Accessory Dwelling Units (now called Accessory Living Units) that could significantly impact the character and density of our residential neighborhoods. More details below on this change and the zMOD process. The Board will hold a public hearing on March 9th at 4 p.m. as a part of the zMOD process.

Proposed Regulations on the Flying of the American and Other Flags 
  • County staff is proposing a regulation that would restrict the flying of the American and other flags. It would limit the height of flagpoles to 25 feet on single family lots and 60 feet on all other lots. In addition, the proposed amendment would also limit single-family lots to two flags, each limited to a maximum size of 24 square feet. The County is trying to solve a problem that currently does not exist. I find this to be a poorly thought-out amendment and one that I will strongly oppose if it comes before the Board of Supervisors. The Board will hold a public hearing on the regulations on March 9th at 4 p.m. as a part of the zMOD process.

Initial thoughts on the FY2022 Advertised Budget 
  • At the February 23rd Board meeting, the County Executive presented the Advertised Budget for FY2022.  While this budget includes a decrease of one penny in the tax rate, it results in an overall increase of 3.4 percent for the average homeowner because of the rise in assessment values. As a taxpayer, I would have hoped for at least a flat tax bill from my government during a pandemic. Taxes for the average homeowner have increased 45 percent over the last ten years. A budget that raises taxes an additional 3.4 percent this year is not only unsustainable, but unacceptable in light of the pandemic and the challenges our community is facing. See more of my initial thoughts on the budget below. 

Vaccine Update 
  • I want to report some progress we have made in the vaccine rollout, share what is being worked on, and highlight the latest blog posts from our health department on some very important information. I am pleased to see the increased transparency on the vaccine doses and queue as I continue to work with staff to address issues as they arise. To date the health department has received 192,573 doses from the Virginia Department of Health and has administered 183,076 (includes first and second doses). Vaccine supply from the state is still limited at about 16,380 doses per week, but our health department and vaccine partners are working tirelessly to administer these as quickly as possible, working down our queue to under 100,000 on the wait list. See below for details on the queue system and links to the latest blogs from the health department. 

Annual Summer Concert Series at Burke Lake Park 
  • I am excited to announce that we are well along in the planning process for the annual summer concert series at Burke Lake Park. While we cannot predict the pandemic conditions of this summer, I am extremely excited and hopeful that our community will continue to move in a good direction, and we will be able to host the concerts in a way that is safe and fun. See below for more details and the full line-up of performing bands. 

Board Votes to Ban Plastic Bags for Yard Waste 
  • On February 23rd, the Board voted to ban the use of plastic bags for yard waste. I was the only Supervisor to speak against and to vote against the ban for the reasons I have reported on previously in the Herrity Report. My amendment to revise the ban to exclude biodegradable bags failed to receive a second. The ban went into effect on March 1st but there will be a grace period until April 19th. Additional details below.


Other News & Information...
  • DTA Tax Assessments 
  • Agritourism Town Hall (March 29)
  • Budget Town Hall (March 31)
  • Teen Job Fairs (March 13 and 20)
  • Sully Police District Community Engagement Meeting
  • 19 
  • Fairfax Water Payment Assistance
  • Four-Legged Friend of the Month: Ruth