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Health & Fitness

February 2014 Newsletter

Dear Neighbors, 

Welcome to the February edition of the Broad Run District newsletter.  On February 5th, County Administrator Tim Hemstreet presented the Broad of Supervisors with his FY 15 Proposed Fiscal Plan  The Board is currently in the process of holding public hearings on the budget and will begin worksessions next week.  I’m looking forward to addressing many needs in the Broad Run District in this budget process.  In this month’s newsletter, I have updates on: 

  • FY 2015 Proposed Fiscal Plan and Upcoming Worksessions
  • Broad Run High School Renovation/Expansion Update
  • Loudoun County Public Schools Operating Budget
  • Metrorail Bike and Pedestrian Accessibility Study
  • TopGolf Application
  • Major Economic Development Win
  • Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station Renovation
  • Progress Report on the Waxpool Road/Ashburn Village Boulevard Widening and Traffic Signal Project
  • Community Events and Information 
 As Always, I appreciate your feedback on this newsletter.  Feel free to call me at 703-771-5088 or email me at shawn.williams@loudoun.gov with any questions or comments.  For more regular updates on what I am doing as your Supervisor and to see what is going on around the Broad Run District, follow this link and ‘like’ my growing Facebook page.

Thanks,

Shawn 

Proposed County Budget – Upcoming Worksessions
 

On February 5th, County Administrator Tim Hemstreet presented the Board of Supervisors with his recommended FY 2015 operating and capital budget.  The fiscal plan approaches $2 billion in appropriations for the general county government and school system (more on school funding below).  The fiscal outlook for this budget is positive.  Real property values in Loudoun County have increased by over 8% in calendar year 2013 and are projected to increase another 5% over 2014.  This proposed budget assumes a property tax rate of $1.155, which is the equalized tax rate at which the average homeowners would see their tax bill remain flat when compared with the previous year.  During his presentation, Administrator Hemstreet noted that 86 cents of every dollar of local tax funding goes towards schools, capital projects, debt service, and public safety, showing a commitment to funding core government services.  

The proposed FY 15 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes $198 million for general government projects and $121 million for public schools.  The largest expenditure category is transportation infrastructure at $126.5 million, which includes $40 million for Metrorail; $80.3 million for roads (more details in next month’s newsletter); and $6.2 million for transit buses and facilities.  Other large expenditures include $33.5 million in public safety projects and $13.3 million in parks, recreation and cultural projects.  The Board of Supervisors will be holding worksessions throughout March to consider both the operating and capital budget proposal.  Currently, the Board plans to adopt the budget at our April 2nd business meeting.  For more information on the budget,click here.   

Broad Run High School Renovation Update
 

The County Administrator’s proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP) included $26.5 million for the renovation and expansion of Broad Run High School (BRHS).  The project provides funding to design and construct a ten classroom addition to BRHS, as well as expand the cafeteria, two resource spaces and a health room, along with other improvements.  Athletic improvements include synthetic turf and track replacement in the stadium, improved press boxes and other needed infrastructure.  The renovation and expansion will increase student capacity from 1,468 to 1,600, eliminated the need for trailers.  

This renovation at BRHS is one of my largest priorities for the FY 2015 budget.  After observing the current conditions and overcrowding back in January, it is clear action is needed this year.  The Board of Supervisor’s deliberations on the CIP began at the Finance/Government Services and Operations Committee on Tuesday.  We voted to fund this project using $13.25 million in fund balance, $13.25 million in bond financing and $1.5 million in left over funding from previous school construction.  I want to thank my colleagues on the Finance Committee and our capital budget staff for working to find this funding for FY 2015.  The full Board of Supervisors will be voting on the CIP, including this project, later in March.  

Proposed LCPS Operating Budget
 

As I mentioned above, the Board of Supervisors has begun deliberations on the FY 2015 budget. We met with the School Board last week; I think our meeting was productive, although unfortunately some of my and other Board member’s comments have been inaccurately reported and mischaracterized.  For more on that issue, see this story in theLeesburg Today.  I want to clearly present the facts for this budget:
  • The County Administrator’s proposed fiscal plan, which assumes property taxes stay flat compared with last year, can provide the Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) a $67 million (7.9%) increase over last year with new local and state funding.  For reference, enrollment is projected to grow by 3.4%. 
  • There is also potential for as much as an additional $7 million in state revenue to LCPS depending on the budget the Virginia General Assembly passes. 
  • This is a significantly better starting fiscal position than the past two previous budget cycles, where the Board of Supervisors was still able to provide adequate funding to LCPS. 
  • This budget is also much more positive than many neighboring jurisdictions’ current proposals.  For example, the Fairfax County School Board endorsed a plan to lay off over 700 staff members and raise class sizes because of budget constraints.  Fortunately, Loudoun is not in that situation.   
For more information on this Board’s history of prioritizing education, click here to see my letter  to the editor that was published in December. 

However, the School Board has requested approximately $106 million (12.6%) in increased funding over last year’s budget, leaving a difference of a little below $40 million.  Because state funding is only increasing by about 7.8%, in order to fulfill these School Boards’ proposed budget, we would be required to increase local tax funding by 15.3%.  I want to be clear; there are no ‘budget cuts’ on the table.  In a year when enrollment is only growing by 3.4%, the debate is whether a 7.9% increase, a 12.6% increase, or an increase in-between will provide the right amount of funding.  I plan to carefully weigh this issue as we deliberate on the budget.  My greatest priority for the LCPS budget is teacher compensation increases, as has been the case in the past two years when we provided approximately $26 million for compensation increases.  I approve the School Board’s plan to fix the ‘sag’ in the middle of the salary scale.  The question is, however, whether we can afford to fix it in one year or if we need to phase in the plan.  The overall budget will be finalized by the Board of Supervisors at our April 2nd meeting.  

Prior to this Board taking office, there were years in which LCPS was underfunded.  In my opinion, this was due to difficult economic conditions.  Even though we are on a solid path of recovery from the recession, the Board needs to carefully manage the budget to provide for all of Loudoun’s needs.  In the upcoming budget, the Board will need to balance our needs, which include education, public safety, transportation, social services, and parks and recreation.  We also must ensure our tax rate remains competitive so we can continue to attract commercial development to Loudoun which will address the tax revenue situation long term.  It is about finding the right balance to best serve our community.  As I said above, I’m committed to funding a budget which covers our educational needs and preserve Loudoun’s high educational standards.  As always, I’m happy to hear your thoughts on the LCPS budget.   

Metrorail Bike and Pedestrian Accessibility Study
 

With Metrorail construction starting soon, Loudoun County is undertaking a study to formulate a bike and pedestrian access plan.  Last week, I met with transportation staff and the consultant performing this study.  We toured the transportation network around the future Route 772 Metrorail station.  We are in the process of identifying and prioritizing the missing segments of the bike and pedestrian network necessary to access the Metrorail stations.  I need your feedback to help identify bike and pedestrian deficiencies we need to address before Metrorail.  Send me an email at shawn.williams@loudoun.gov with your input and I will make sure that it’s included in the study.  We are expecting to have the study results this summer.  Once the study is complete, the Board of Supervisors will be formulating a plan to get the network deficiencies addressed before Metrorail becomes operational.   

TopGolf Application
 

TopGolf has filed an application to build a facility in the Broad Run District, in the southeastern corner of the Route 7/Loudoun County Parkway interchange.  The proposal is for a 65,000 square foot golf-based entertainment complex with a driving range.  I have been meeting with TopGolf since last summer to discuss their interest in coming to Loudoun County.  TopGolf is certainly a representation of the high quality entertainment options I want to see in Loudoun.  However, the Board of Supervisors first needs to weigh the application for this specific site.  The Board will be holding a public hearing to consider this application on March 12th at 6pm at the Government Center in Leesburg.  I would appreciate your feedback on this application.  For more information on this application, see the Loudoun Times Mirror's coverage

Economic Development Update
 

Earlier this year, the Telos Corporation, which is based in the Broad Run District, announced plans to expand their footprint in Loudoun, after contemplating a move to other jurisdictions.  This $5 million investment by Telos will retain 240 jobs and bring 160 additional new high-paying jobs to Loudoun.  This is a significant economic development ‘win,’ especially considering the tough competition we faced.  Once again, this highlights Loudoun as a dynamic location to do business.  For the incentive package, Loudoun was able to receive a state grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund by using the already planned extension of Russell Branch Parkway between Ashburn Road and Ashburn Village Boulevard as an infrastructure match, using no local tax funding.   I want to specifically thank Loudoun’s Department of Economic Development and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership for their hard work on this win.  For more details, see the Governor's press release.   

Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department Capital Fundraising Campaign
 

The Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department (AVFRD) is about to begin a much needed renovation on their outdated station facilities.  The project includes reconstruction of all the apparatus bays and crew rest and training areas.  Loudoun County has already committed half the funds needed for this $7 million renovation and AVFRD is undertaking a capital campaign to raise the rest.  I’m honored to serve as Co-Chairman of the capital campaign for the renovation.  We have already received many commitments from AVFRD members and corporate donors, so we are now looking to the community to finish raising the needed funds.  For more information on the station renovation plans, see this Leesburg Todayarticle.  For more information on how you can participate in the campaign, click here

Transportation Spotlight:
Progress Report on the Ashburn Village Boulevard/Waxpool Road Widening and Traffic Signal Project 

Last week, I received a report from the Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure on the construction progress for the Ashburn Village Boulevard/Waxpool Road widening and traffic signal process.  Even with the bad weather, the contractor has only lost four days of work. The contractor is currently installing new storm water pipes under the roadways, so expect some lane closures over the next few weeks as they continue to dig under the road.  They have also begun grading for the widening along Waxpool Road.  The construction contract has an end date of September 16th, but the contractor’s current schedule is targeting a project completion date in August.  The end is in sight for the terrible four-way stop!  

Community Events and Information

Congressman Frank Wolf:
 Representative Wolf is coming to Ashburn on Saturday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Way Lutheran Church in Ashburn, Virginia.  He will be giving a special presentation to the community on the topic of religious freedom both at home and abroad.  The event is open to the public and free of charge.  All are welcome to attend and the church is providing free child care.  There will be a short reception following the speech with an opportunity to speak with Representative Frank Wolf personally.  Please register at the church’s website.

Broad Run High School Musical:
 The Broad Run High School Theatre is pleased to invite the public to their spring musical, "The Fantasticks."  Take time to enjoy the talents of the young people from your community.  Production times are March 26-28 at 7:30p.m., March 29 at 2p.m. and 7:30p.m., and March 30 at 2p.m.  Tickets are $10 for both students and adults. 

Lions Club Community Dinner:
 Sterling and Reston Lions Club is hosting their community dinner at the Herndon United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall (701 Bennett Street, Herndon VA 20170) on Wednesday, March 12 at 6 p.m.  They will be serving an Italian dinner, salad, drinks, and dessert.  Dinner is open to all, so bring family and friends.  The Lions will provide free vision screening for children and adults.  Cost is $5 per person or $15 per family; proceeds will go to the Lions’ local community charity efforts.  For more information, call (703) 723-0077 or email SterlingLions@Verizon.net.

Loudoun Symphony Orchestra:  
My wife and I had the opportunity to attend the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra’s (LSO) Valentine’s Day concert where we thoroughly enjoyed an evening of quality orchestra and culture.  I encourage my constituents in the Broad Run District to take time to discover the cultural opportunities the LSO has to offer through their quality productions and educational programs. On Saturday, March 29, The Loudoun Youth Symphony is producing “Ensembles for Everyone” at Stone Bridge High School at 4 p.m.  This unique program uses special equipment so that people with hearing disabilities can enjoy the program.  To attend a concert or learn more about LSO’s educational programs, please visit their website.

Loudoun Workforce Resource Center:
 Career Support Services manages the Loudoun Workforce Resource Center, a facility that provides no-cost resources and equipment to both job seekers and businesses.  Their mission is to connect businesses and job seekers to achieve their employment goals.  The WRC offers a variety of events and workshops to assist in the job search.  See the entire schedule of events here. Click here  for more information about the WRC list of events and available workshops.

One Loudoun:  
New businesses are opening in downtown One Loudoun and you can feel the buzz each day as staff and customers fill restaurants, shops, and the plaza.  For more information about the events and businesses openings in One Loudoun, visit iONEder.

Prom Wishes:  
The Junior Woman’s Club of Loudoun is hosting their 12th annual “Prom Wishes” on April 5th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Teen Center at Rust Library in Leesburg. Prom Wishes is a boutique for local high school girls who would not otherwise be attending prom, due to the cost of purchasing prom attire.  To make the event successful, JWCL needs new or gently worn formal dresses, shoes, purses, jewelry, accessories, and un-opened cosmetics to help every girl find the perfect dress.  Donations may be left at several Loudoun County Community Centers: Claude Moore, Dulles South, Loudoun Valley, and Sterling February 10th  - March 30th.  For more information, visit their website or email promwishes@jwcl.org.

Van Metre 5-Mile-Run
: I am excited to participate in the 22nd Annual Van Metre 5-Mile-Run.  The race will take place Saturday, March 28, starting at 8:30 a.m., beginning and ending at the Broadlands Marketplace on Wynridge Drive at the McDonald's entrance.  Join me in supporting the children’s hospitals in our community!  Registration is $25 per individual or $50 for a corporate team.  All proceeds go to benefit the Children’s National Medical Center.  For more information and to register, visit their website.
                
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