PWC Board Chair Highlights Key Successes, Plans State Of The County Address

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — At the Prince William Board of County Supervisors' first meeting of 2025 Tuesday, Chair Deshundra Jefferson outlined successes of the last year and looked ahead to several key items coming up. The board also selected Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey as vice chair and Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir as chair pro-tem.

Jefferson, who was elected in 2023 and ousted the former incumbent Ann Wheeler in the primary, is in her second year as chair. The chair invited the community to the first state of the county address at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 28 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Jefferson provided a preview of the state of a county in remarks to the board on Tuesday.

"Last year, I made a commitment to collaborate with my colleagues on the Board of County Supervisors so that we may better serve you," said Jefferson. "I also pledged to lead in a way that encourages dialog while respecting each other's decisions. I am proud to say that we have a board that has truly come together, putting the needs of the greater community at the forefront of the decisions we make."

One major item Jefferson highlighted was the board's unanimous support for the last county budget, which reduced the real estate tax rate from $0.966 to $0.920 per $100 of assessed value. In addition, the board praised the tax on business tangible computer equipment and peripherals from $2.15 to $3.70 per $100 of assessed value, a priority Jefferson had highlighted during her campaign. The $3.70 rate was the highest rate the board could adopt since it matches the personal property tax rate on cars.

The budget also included more funding for public schools and police and fire services.

"The board increased our contribution to Prince William County schools by $105.1 million, or 13 percent more than the previous budget. This is the largest year-over-year dollar increase ever in our county's history," said Jefferson. "And we are equally committed to increasing safety within our community. That's why we added new funding for new police officers and medics and our most recent budget."

The board also allowed a 60-day extension of the car tax due date, giving car owners more time to pay their bills than the typical early October due date.

Jefferson said the county will continue to tackle the challenge of affordable housing. The board had created an affordable housing office in the budget and provided $5.5 million to an affordable housing trust in the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years, according to the chair. The board will work on adopting an affordable dwelling unit ordinance in 2025. Jefferson hopes actions on affordable housing will stimulate development and allow more county and school employees to live within the county.

"Many of you have heard my journey as a single mom buying a home in Prince William County," said Jefferson. "We need to make that dream a reality for others in our community and create opportunities for those who want to continue to rent."

The board will soon take action on a county strategic plan for 2025 to 2028, according to Jefferson. Planning for the four-year plan kicked off in January 2024, with feedback collected from residents, towns, county employees, business leaders and advisory committee members. The draft plan includes four-year priorities in the areas of education, the environment, government, mobility, quality of life, safety and security, service delivery and smart growth. The board could adopt the final strategic plan in February.

The chair's remarks were followed by the votes for vice chair and chair pro-tem. Bailey received votes from all supervisors except Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega and Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry. Weir abstained from the chair pro-tem vote but received support from other colleagues. The chair pro-tem steps in when the chair and vice chair are both not attending.

At Tuesday's meeting, the board also took action on its 2025 meeting schedule and was set to receive updates on the fiscal year 2026 budget outlook and capital budget update.