🌱 Fairfax Co. Expected To Reduce Taxes + County Salary Increases

Hello, friends! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new edition of the Tysons Corner Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your weekend weather:

• Saturday: Breezy with clouds and sun. High: 53 Low: 27.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and colder. High: 43 Low: 28.
• Monday: Partly sunny and warmer. High: 52 Low: 27.
• Tuesday: Sunny to partly cloudy. High: 59 Low: 33.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Tysons Corner who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories today in Tysons Corner:

1. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is expected to reduce real estate taxes in the fiscal year 2024 budget, according to Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw. Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill has proposed maintaining the current tax rate of $1.11 per $100 of assessed value in his budget. The board will also consider the reduction of the assessment ratio for vehicles when it votes on the budget in May. (Patch)
2. County government employees in Fairfax are opposing the proposed salary increases for board members, which would see a pay increase of almost 37 percent for supervisors and 45 percent for the board chair. The proposal has been criticized for prioritizing politicians' salaries over worker pay raises, which are not expected to be fully funded in the county's next budget. A union representing over 2,000 county employees has voiced its objection to the proposal and the disparity between the salaries of the board members and employees, which highlights the need for a union contract to achieve pay fairness. (FFX Now)
3. Fairfax County officials are utilizing spatial analysis tools to prioritize over 2,000 potential pedestrian and bicyclist improvement projects for a $25 million allocation. The prioritization process includes examining network connectivity and trip generators; the county has already approved over $7 million for crosswalk projects and other safety improvements. A proposed list of projects includes crosswalk improvements, trail connections, and sidewalk installations, with final allocations to be determined at an April meeting. (FFX Now)

Coming up in Tysons Corner:

Sunday, March 19

• Todd Wright Duo At Starr Hill Brewery (2:00 PM)

Wednesday, March 22

• Photo Skills: Editing On iPhone At Apple Tysons Corner (6:00 PM)
• R.E.S.P.E.C.T At Capital One Hall (8:00 PM)

Thursday, March 23

• Center Bi+ Happy Hour At Starr Hill Biergarten (6:00 PM)

Friday, March 24

• Aladdin At Capital One Hall (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Looking for something fun to do this month with Instagram-worthy photos? Check out Candytopia at Tysons Corner Center! (Northern Virginia Magazine)
• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Tysons Corner area at the link! (Tysons Corner Patch)
• Thinking of dipping your toes into the housing market? Check out the list of open houses happening TODAY, Mar. 18, in the Tysons Corner area at the link. (Tysons Corner Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Festival Ballet Virginia Presents Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (March 18)
• Redeemer Renaissance After-School Program & Camps (March 22)
• Holy Happy Hour at Lewinsville (March 22)
• Easter Brunch (April 9)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today! I'll see you around.

— Kaytlyn Mroz

About me: Kaytlyn Mroz is a copywriter at Lightning Media Partners – a content creation agency. She is a Rowan University graduate where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in writing. Outside of work, Kaytlyn is a dog mom to a boglen terrier named Finn and a golden retriever named Willow.