Thursday, May 2, 2013
Supervisors in Loudoun are counting on saving from a federal loan; express desire to engage MWAA on airport development.
The most notable elements of a presentation Wednesday about the second phase of Metro’s Silver Line were news that the project appears to be nearing final approval for a federal loan that will save Loudoun millions and concerns about potential development on Dulles International Airport property. Last month, bids came in for the bulk of the project and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the entity tasked with constructing the project, indicated it would likely chose a $1.18 billion bid by Capital Rail Constructors, which includes Clark Construction Group and Kiewit Infrastructure South. That bid was lower than the anticipated $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion cost. Loudoun’s share of the project equals 4.8 percent of the total …
Thursday, April 4, 2013
The Board of Supervisors approved the FY 2014 budget along with a $1.205 real estate tax rate; what will it do to your tax bill?
The Loudoun Board of Supervisors on Wednesday approved a $1.8 billion FY 2014 budget that equates to a slightly reduced tax rate for the average landowner. Supervisors lowered the tax rate from $1.235 per $100 of assessed valued to $1.205, which equates to a $69 for a $405,977 home. The personal property tax rate remains unchanged at $4.20 per $100. Supervisors opposing the budget and tax rate said they preferred to make additional cuts. Supervisor Suzanne Volpe (R-Algonkian) said increased assessments in eastern Loudoun mean that the new tax rate, even though it’s lower than the current rate, “in effect is a tax increase in my district.” However, Supervisor Matt Letourneau (R-Dulles) said there were many speakers at budget hearings …
Friday, March 22, 2013
An Ashburn resident raises concerns about the perceived reduction in speaking opportunities before the board of supervisors.
Dear Editor: For a very long time Loudoun residents who wished to speak before the Board of Supervisors during public comment sessions of hearings or meetings, were limited to 3 and sometimes 5 minutes. It depended of course on whether a small or large number had signed up to speak, or whether meetings were running late. Time was when those representing organizations such as HOAs, non-profits or other organizations were granted a full 5 minutes to speak and sometimes longer, because they were representing large numbers of residents. But no longer. Board Chairman York, citing ‘time constraints’ and other excuses decided some time ago that comments be limited to two minutes, or even one minute (when certain agenda items drew in many speakers…
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
County ponders how to cover agency spending that outpaced its budget by millions.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
A Leesburg resident and teacher at Ashburn school urges attendance at Feb. 27 LEA rally.
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Tuesday, February 19
Here we go again, but this time, the Loudoun School Board and Board of Supervisors have devised a new strategy to justify ideological cuts with little regard for the continued erosion of our schools. Fortunately, there is a way that you, as parents, can tell your elected officials to stop doing this. Please consider joining teachers and staff at the Loudoun Education Association rally to "Fund Their Future" at the Government Center in Leesburg at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27. [Read Leesburg Today’s report about the school budget.] Rather than targeting teacher and staff paychecks directly this time, the School Board has figured out how to fund their cuts by increasing the cost of benefits to current employees and slashing their benefits in …
Friday, January 18, 2013
Del. Minchew’s proposal would give localities option for transportation needs.
With Gov. Bob McDonnell pushing the idea of eliminating the gas tax and raising the sales tax by 2 cents for transportation, Loudoun supervisors are concerned that the county could get shortchanged. But not enough to back a proposal by Del. Randy Minchew (R-10) that would allow localities to collect up to a 10 percent gas tax for transportation needs within their borders. Currently, Northern Virginia jurisdictions receive gas tax revenue as a group and split it up for transportation needs. The governor’s proposal would put the new sales tax revenue in the state’s General Fund, where it would complete with other items, like public safety and schools. Supervisor Ralph Buona (R-Ashburn) proposed endorsing Minchew’s bill – HB 1663 – to …
Thursday, January 3, 2013
The LCDC gives its support to the board for taking action as investigation continues.
The Loudoun County Democratic Committee issued the following statement today regarding the Loudoun Board of Supervisors’ removal of Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) from standing committees. The move, which received a response from Delgaudio’s attorney, denies Delgaudio a vote in board committees, but does not bar him from attending meetings. Here is the full LCDC statement: Last night, the Loudoun Board of Supervisors stripped Sterling Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio of his committee assignments. LCDC Chair Evan Macbeth made the following statement in response to this action: “Serious allegations of wrongdoing were lodged against Sterling Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio last March, and revealed to Board Chairman Scott York within days. Chairman York…
Supervisor’s attorney calls for hearing about accusations against the Sterling representative.
While there was little talk on the Loudoun Board of Supervisors’ dais about changes to standing committee assignments, Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio’s (R) removal from all committees prompted a quick response from his attorney decrying the move. Delgaudio remains under investigation by a special prosecutor after a former aide accused him of violating board policy and questions were raised about mixing campaign and county office work as well as potential campaign finance violations. No charges have been filed against Delgaudio. Board Chairman Scott K. York (R-At Large) proposed the new committee assignments and the board voted 8-0-1 to approve them. Delgaudio voted with the majority, while Supervisor Janet Clarke (R-Blue Ridge) was absent for…
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Broad Run supervisor chosen to replace Janet Clarke, who asked to rotate the position.
The Loudoun Board of Supervisors elected Shawn Williams (R-Broad Run) to serve as the board's vice chairman for 2013. The vice chairman performs duties of the chairman in his absence. Williams replaces Janet Clarke (R-Blue Ridge) who said she preferred that the postition rotate among supervisors, a practice in place in many town councils. Supervisor Suzanne Volpe (R-Algonkian) nominated Williams, and not other nominations were made. Williams was chosen on an 8-0-1 vote with Clarke absent.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Supervisors will also consider organizational matters, including the election of the board’s vice chairman
The Loudoun Board of Supervisors has a heavy agenda planned for its Jan. 2 business meeting from organizational matters and electing a chairman to opposing Greenway toll hikes and resolving a dispute about the Route 7/Ashburn Village Boulevard Interchange. Election of Vice Chairman – Since Supervisor Janet Clarke (R-Blue Ridge) announced in December that she would not seek a second term as vice chairman this year, the board must elect someone else who will perform the chairman’s duties in his absence. Ashburn Center North – Latisys-Ashburn North LLC, of Englewood, CO, has submitted special exception requests to permit data center uses on 11 acres east of Ashburn Village Boulevard and north of Redrum Drive. Ashburn Village/Route 7 …
Bob Bruhns
9:57 am on Friday, May 3, 2013
Also - the estimate for the three Metro parking garages to be built by Loudoun County WAS $130.3 million in the July 3, 2011 FTA White Paper - but MWAA suddenly hyperinflated that estimate to $168 million in their March 6, 2012 project estimate. And Loudoun County agreed to pay about $269 million for its 4.8% share in the rail project. That adds up to $269 million + $130.8 million to $168 million… more ›