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FAIRFAX, VA — Fairfax City homeowners could see their annual real estate bill increase by an average of $633 if the City Council adopts the maximum real estate tax rate it set at its meeting on Tuesday night.

The council voted 4-3 to advertise a maximum real estate tax rate of $1.095 per $100 of assessed value for Fiscal Year 2027.

The decision establishes a legal ceiling for the upcoming budget. While the council can adopt a lower rate during final deliberations on May 5, it cannot exceed this advertised limit without restarting the public notification process.

For the average Fairfax City homeowner, the combined annual impact of the advertised tax rate and utility fee increases is estimated at $687.84, or approximately $57.32 per month. This total does not include the additional costs associated with the 0.5 percent meals tax increase.

The advertised rate is higher than the $1.08 rate originally proposed by City Manager Daniel Alexander.

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Councilmembers Anthony Amos, Stacey Hardy-Chandler, Billy Bates, and Mayor Catherine Read voted in favor of the higher ceiling to provide more budgetery flexibility. Councilmembers Stacy Hall, Tom Peterson, and Rachel McQuillen voted against the motion.

The potential increase for homeowners is driven by two factors: a 4-cent hike in the tax rate (up from the current $1.055) and a projected 4.3 percent average increase in property assessments.

Estimated Tax Increases By Property Value

Utility Fees And Additional Taxes

The proposed budget also includes adjustments to utility rates and the city’s meals tax:

Total Combined Costs

For the average Fairfax homeowner, the combined annual impact of the advertised tax rate and utility fee increases is estimated at $687.84, or approximately $57.32 per month. This total does not include the additional costs associated with the 0.5 percent meals tax increase.

FY 2027 Budget Plan Timeline

City residents can use Engage Fairfax to provide feedback on the FY 2026 budget. They can also send an email to the mayor or City Council, speak at a council meeting or submit a video for a public hearing. Learn how to use all these tools at the City Meetings page.

RICHMOND, VA — A bill introduced by Del. Rip Sullivan (D-Great Falls) targeting loud vehicle mufflers is expected to pass the Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday.

Sullivan introduced the legislation in response to frequent constituent complaints about loud mufflers that significantly diminish quality of life.

Some mufflers are even modified to sound like "automatic weapon fire," according to Sullivan, leading residents to call 911 fearing "gunplay" in their neighborhoods.

House Bill 55 authorizes a pilot program for the use of noise abatement monitoring systems in specific Virginia localities. The bill amends the Code of Virginia to allow these systems to detect and help enforce exhaust system violations — specifically targeting vehicles emitting noise exceeding 95 decibels.

The legislation establishes the legal framework for how these monitoring systems operate, how the resulting data is handled, and the civil penalties that can be imposed on violators. This act is temporary and is set to expire on July 1, 2028.

Monitoring System Operations

Enforcement and Penalties

Vendor And Administrative Rules

Under the provisions of HB55, the pilot program for noise abatement monitoring is authorized for localities within four specific planning districts. Based on the 2026 regional designations, the eligible counties and cities are:

This district covers the highly populated areas near Washington, D.C.:

This district includes the Piedmont region southwest of Northern Virginia:

Also known as PlanRVA, this district encompasses the greater Richmond metropolitan area:

HB 55 originally included Planning District 15 (Richmond), which includes Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan counties, and the town of Ashland and the City of Richmond.

When the Senate voted to pass the legislation, it added an amendment to remov District 15. Sullivan will recommend the House accept the change when he introduces the bill for a final vote on Wednesday.

In 2025, both houses of the Virginia General Assembly passed similar noise abatement legislation, but Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed it. Although Sullivan hasn't spoken to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) about HB55, he expects her to sign it.

"I'm glad that residents of Fairfax will finally have its leaders in power to help address what I think is an issue of real concern to people's quality of life," he said.

Though DC Water has lifted its advisory warning against recreational activities on the Potomac River, Virginia health officials are remaining cautious after millions of gallons of raw sewage spilled into the water earlier this year.

The Virginia Department of Health announced yesterday (Thursday) that it has lifted a recreational water advisory for the river from Chain Bridge (Glebe Road) in Arlington to the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge in King George County, but it remains in place for a 4.7-mile stretch upstream from Chain Bridge to the American Legion Bridge (I-495) in Fairfax County.

“For the safety of people and pets, VDH is advising Virginia residents to avoid recreational water activities in this area of Potomac River, such as swimming, wading, tubing, white-water canoeing or kayaking, where full-body submersion is more likely to occur,” the department said for the area still under an advisory.

The advisory against boating and other activities on the water has been in place since Feb. 13 after wastewater overflows caused by clogged pumps in early February exacerbated a sewage spill from Jan. 19, when the Potomac Interceptor collapsed in Montgomery County.

The 54-mile-long pipeline carries sewage from Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County and Dulles International Airport, to a treatment plant in D.C. Its collapse near Clara Barton Parkway dumped more than 200 million gallons of wastewater into the Potomac River, requiring DC Water to set up an emergency bypass system so the sewer can continue functioning while repairs are made.

According to the VDH, water quality samples taken by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on Feb. 17, 25, 26 and 27 found that the bacteria concentrations in the Potomac had become “acceptable for all recreational use,” though swimming has long been prohibited.

Samples collected by D.C. closer to the spill site, however, “continue to show higher values of E. coli,” the Virginia health department said.

There remains no evidence that the spill has affected drinking water, health officials say.

More tips from the VDH on how to prevent recreational water illnesses:

Fairfax, Virginia — Authorities are warning residents about scam text messages claiming unpaid toll violations and demanding payment.

According to the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are sending messages that appear to be official notices for a “Toll Violation” or “Toll Violation Hearing.” The texts often include a QR code, links, and documents displaying the Virginia state seal and a signature in an attempt to appear legitimate.

Officials say the messages are fraudulent and designed to trick recipients into making payments or providing personal information.

The sheriff’s office emphasized several key precautions for residents who receive the messages:

Investigators say scammers frequently rely on urgency and fear, hoping recipients will quickly comply without verifying the message’s authenticity.

Images shared by the sheriff’s office show documents labeled “Notice of Hearing — Toll Violation” with a QR code directing victims to make payment. Authorities say these documents are part of the scam and are not legitimate government notices.

Residents who receive suspicious toll violation messages are encouraged to delete the text and avoid interacting with the sender. Those concerned about real toll violations should check directly with their toll operator or official state websites.

Officials say reporting scams helps investigators track patterns and warn others before additional victims are targeted.

Digital payment scams have increasingly targeted commuters who frequently travel on toll roads across Northern Virginia.

Younger drivers and daily commuters—who often rely on mobile alerts and digital payments—may be especially likely to encounter these types of messages.

Anyone with information about the scam can review additional guidance through the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office fraud prevention resources.

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Local lawmakers and activists weigh in on the Fairfax casino legislation's advancement in the Virginia General Assembly.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — As news spread that the Virginia House of Delegates passed an amended version of the Fairfax County casino bill on Wednesday, opponents in Richmond and Northern Virginia were quick to express their displeasure.

“We’re disappointed with this result, and disappointed that our representatives weren’t allowed to voice their opposition to this bill on the House floor," said Paula Martino, president of the Tysons Stakeholder Alliance.

"The ill-conceived and radioactively unpopular Fairfax County casino bill regrettably passed the House of Delegates today," said Supervisor Jimmy Bierman (D-Dranesville) in a statement. "I thank the majority of the members of the Fairfax County delegation who listened to the people of our County and voted against it. I share their and my constituents' disappointment with this outcome and urge the Governor to veto the bill to ensure that this silly idea goes no further."

In December, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to include language in its 2026 legislative program opposing any legislation to emerge from Richmond promoting a casino referendum.

"If this bill does become law, I look forward to upholding my duty as the duly elected representative of the Dranesville District and, on behalf of my constituents, flatly rejecting a costly, divisive, and clearly unnecessary casino referendum as soon as possible," Bierman said. "It’s a shame that Richmond has wasted all of our time while so clearly ignoring the people of Fairfax County and the Board of Supervisors."

The House of Delegates passed Senate Bill 756 as amended on a 59 to 37 vote, with one abstention and two delegates not voting.

Scroll Down To View Supervisor Jimmy Bierman's Full Statement.

Shortly after the vote was taken, the Virginia Senate rejected the House version of the bill and voted to confer with members from the other chamber to hammer out joint legislation, which would then be sent to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) for her signature.

Representing the Senate will be the bill's sponsor, Majority Leader Scott (D-Mount Vernon), Sen. Bryce Reeves (R-Fredericksburg), and Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke), who carried earlier versions of the casino legislation during the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions.

On the House side will be Dels. Luke Torian (D-Prince William), Keith Hodges (R-Urbanna), and Rodney Willett (D-Henrico), who introduced SB756 to the House floor on Wednesday for a vote.

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Rep. Rip Sullivan (D-Great Falls), who represents many of the same constituents as Bierman, was also disappointed with Wednesday's outcome.

"My 6th District constituents and Fairfax residents more broadly have made it abundantly clear that they do not want a casino in Tysons and have serious concerns about it being anywhere else in the county," he said. "There have been fundamental issues with this legislation from the beginning."

Del. Irene Shin (D-Herndon) turned to social media to vent her frustration over Wednesday's vote.

Read Patch's reporting on Comstock Companies' plan to build a casino in Fairfax County at Silver Line Casino.

"The community has been unequivocal in their opposition to proposals to develop a casino in Fairfax County for YEARS," she posted on X. "This is, however, not the end of the road & I will continue to remain opposed to these efforts."

Sullivan and Shin were not alone in their opposition to the casino bill. They were joined by 35 other delegates voting against the legislation, including 10 who represent portions of Fairfax County: Dels. Gretchen Bulova (D-Fairfax); Karrie Delaney (D-Alexandria); Dan Helmer (D-Burke); Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria); Karen Keys-Gamarra (D-Reston); Paul Krizek (D-Alexandria), Holly Siebold (D-Vienna); Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church); Kathy Tran (D-Springfield); and Vivian Watts (D-Annandale).

Only two lawmakers with constituents in Fairfax County voted in favor of SB 756: Dels. Laura Jane Cohen (D-Burke) and Rozia Henson Jr. (D-Prince William).

The following is the full text of Supervisor Jimmy Bierman's (D-Dranesville) statement following Wednesday's vote.

"The ill-conceived and radioactively unpopular Fairfax County casino bill regrettably passed the House of Delegates today. I thank the majority of the members of the Fairfax County delegation who listened to the people of our County and voted against it. I share their and my constituents' disappointment with this outcome and urge the Governor to veto the bill to ensure that this silly idea goes no further. That being said, in the event that this unwanted and unwise option lands at the feet of the Board of Supervisors, I look forward to standing with the people of Fairfax County, who repeatedly in polls have rejected this idea at a nearly 3-1 clip, and ending this ddiculous charade once and for all.

"From the start, I have criticized this bill as seeking to yet again use working families of Fairfax County as an ATM for the rest of the Commonwealth all in service of lining the pockets of a single well-heeled casino developer. I have pointed out faulty tax revenue projections (revenue that, even under the best of circumstances, would not be realized for more than half a decade) and emphasized that this idea represents economic development in the reverse for the benefit of the few at the expense of the many. This isn't a plan to lower property taxes; it's a plan to enrich casino magnates. The saga in the House over the past week has done everything to prove my criticisms fair and accurate.

"The Board of Supervisors has been crystal clear that it has no interest in this bill that maintains a revenue split that deeply disfavors the County, that infringes upon local land-use prerogatives, and that turns the process by which casino gaming has been introduced into every other Commonwealth locality, with local representatives leading the way, on its head. In response to these stated concerns and others, Del. Paul Krizek (D-Alexandria) presented and passed a substitute bill in the General Laws Committee that, among other things, required that any referendum pass not just County-wide but in the Magisterial District where the casino was to be located, created a 50/50 state/local revenue split (which, incidentally, still would not have met the Board's requirement that a split substantially favor the County), upped the tax rate to a flat 40 percent, created a $150 million casino licensing fee split equally, and implemented labor protections.

"But these new provisions were subsequently stripped right back out of the bill in the Appropriations Committee. In other words, bill proponents freely admitted that a truly localized referendum would never pass, quite an admission especially considering that a single Magisterial District is, in fact, larger than the localities of Bristol, Danville, Petersburg, and Portsmouth that have all conducted referendums. (Those preaching that we should “just let the people decide” suddenly lose interest when it involves the people most affected!) Bill proponents further showed that they have no interest in altering a revenue split that fundamentally favors the Commonwealth at the expense of the County. Only it’s even worse: in rejecting the increased tax rate proposed by Delegate Krizek’s substitute, bill proponents in fact passed a bill that will result in fewer tax dollars for the Commonwealth and the County, which can only at best be seen as an admission that the claims regarding the lucrativeness of a Fairfax County casino have been grossly overstated. (So much for lowering property taxes!) And of course, after bill proponents have repeatedly claimed that this bill isn't really about a single developer but is a pro-labor bill due to a side agreement no one has ever seen with a single developer, the bill will contain no labor protections whatsoever. Simply put, this bill is not beating the allegations that it is designed to benefit a prospective casino developer, not the people of Fairfax County.

"The Spanberger Administration has already expressed skepticism at expanding the Commonwealth’s gaming options without a Gaming Commission and it remains questionable what bills like this one have to do with the major issues of affordability facing Virginians today. I hope that Governor Spanberger will see this bill for what it is and veto it.

"Make no mistake though: if this bill does become law, I look forward to upholding my duty as the duly elected representative of the Dranesville District and, on behalf of my constituents, flatly rejecting a costly, divisive, and clearly unnecessary casino referendum as soon as possible. It’s a shame that Richmond has wasted all of our time while so clearly ignoring the people of Fairfax County and the Board of Supervisors."