Views: Action Report from Loudoun Board of Supervisors March 6-7 Meeting

"Views" are opinion pieces, columns or letters penned by those in the Loudoun community ...
Today's View is from Scott K. York, Chairman of Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, letter to the public ...

(March 13, 2012) - The "Action Summary Report" from the Loudoun Board of Supervisor's business meeting on March 6th and 7th has been posted at http://chairmanyork.wordpress.com. If you wish to read staff reports on any specific item the link is here: Business_Meeting_Packets. Our next Board Business meeting will be Tuesday, March 20th, starting at 5:00 p.m.

Budget:
As of our March 12th budget worksession, the proposed FY 13 budget tax rate stands at a $1.21. Besides approving the funding to open Gum Springs Library, we also approved a few enhancements for the Sheriff's office. Sheriff Chapman is to be congratulated for his good work as he and his team came to the meeting last night with proposed savings from both the FY 12 and FY 13 budgets that totaled $450,000. The last real major discussion for the Board will center on the Funding for the schools. As of now, there is a differential of $44 million between the School Board adopted budget and where the Board of Supervisors currently stands with its work on the budget. We will be meeting with the School Board on the 21st to discuss both their Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP). For refernece, the current tax rate is at a $1.285.


At another budget work session, the Board supported my motion to direct staff to prepare an "Intent to Amend" item to amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow government facilities, including schools, as a by-right use in all zoning categories with performance stands. We are the only jurisdicition in the area that allows these facilites as a "Special Excepion" use. This change will save tax payers several millions of dollars.

Rail to Loudoun Update:

We recieved the "100% Preliminary Engineering" documents on March 6th. Our 90 day review period has started, and as a Board we have met to layout the next steps. The Board is requesting for an additional 30 days to review and discuss Rail to Loudoun. That request will need to be accepted by both Fairfax County and MWAA since they are the two funding partners.

We have directed staff to put together public outreach sessions, and a public hearing. Once the dates have been chosen, I will send an advisory e-mail. I received a letter from Congressman Wolf regarding the Dulles Rail project on March 8, 2012 and have posted it to my website. Click here to view the letter.

Events, Volunteer Opprotunites and Reminders:

The Loudoun Symphony Orchestra's next concert, 'Fantasy & Romance,' is set for 7:30 p.m. on March 24th at the Virginia Academy, the theate is the Community Church-- at the Steeple on Route 7, in Ashburn. Selections include Bruchner's Symphony No. 4 in E-flat Major, the 'Romantic,' and Mark Edwards Wilson's winning entry from the American Composer Competition: The Phoenix. Tickets will be available at the door, or in advance at www.loudounsymphony.org. The Loudoun Symphony is a major cultural asset for our County, and would be a great date night or family outing.

The Spring 2012 Cascades Trash Bash is being held March 25th from 1:00-5:00 p.m. This event is not just about collecting litter, it's about brining awareness to our growing litter problem not just in Cascades, but around Loudoun. These community based clean up days are a opprotunity to educate our children on the negative effects of littering. Do you know that it takes up to 10 years for a cigarette butt to bio-degrade. For more information on the Cascades Trash Bash, click here.

And lastly, from now util April 7th the Junior Women's Club Loudoun (JWCL) is accepting new or gently worn formal dresses and accessories for the JWCL Prom Wishes. JWCL Prom Wishes is an annual event that provides local area young ladies with dresses that otherwise might not have Prom attire. Items collected will be distributed, free of charge on April 21st from 10:00-2:00 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott Dulles Town Center, 45500 Majestic Dr. Dulles, VA. For more information visit www.jwcl.org or email at promwishes@jwcl.org.

Best wishes,

Scott K. York
Chairman