On The Ballot: Fairfax County Bond Issues

Money for studying a plan for a new Reston Regional Library will be part of the bond referenda Fairfax County voters will be asked on Nov. 6.

On Election Day, local voters will be asked to vote YES or NO on four separate bond questions in the general election for:

• Libraries ($25 million)
• Parks ($75 million)
• Public Safety ($55 million)
• Stormwater ($30 million)

Ten million dollars of the library money will be allocated for construction of a new Reston Regional Library. The library is currently located north of  Reston Town Center. Because this area will be near the planned Reston Parkway Metro station, it may be redeveloped into a more urban, mixed-use center with government facilities. As part of the redevelopment, the library may be relocated within this area north of town center.

Bond funds will be used for the site studies, design and construction once the library location is confirmed, county officials said. None of the bonds are expected to raise tax rates for residents.

The remaining money will go towards renovations for Pohick Regional Library ($5 million); John Marshall Library ($5 million); and Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library ($5 million)

These older libraries will be renovated to add more public computers; enhance wireless access; add quiet and group study spaces; and upgrade old building systems to improve their energy efficiency and operations.

The park bond, if approved by voters, will help pay for improvements to many county parks.  Of the total, $63 million will go the Fairfax County Park Authority, and $12 million will pay for the county's share of costs to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. 

For county parks, money will be spent in four areas (to see more details, click here):

• Land acquisition and stewardship ($12.9 million)
• Community parks and new facilities ($7.2 million)
• Facility expansion ($19 milliion)
• Existing facility renovation ($23.3 milliion)

If approved by voters, the $55 million public safety bond will pay to rebuild three fire stations and renovate 22 courtrooms in the Fairfax County Courthouse.

Of the total, $35 million will go towards the fire stations, and $20 million will pay to renovate courtrooms. Fire stations that will be renovated:  Baileys Crossroads Volunteer Fire Station ($9 million);  Jefferson Fire Station ($14 million); and Herndon Fire Station ($12 million)

Courthouse improvements include renovations to 22 courtrooms (nine General District Court and 13 for the Circuit Court).  The renovations will improve security; fix walls, ceilings, ducts, and lighting; make required American with Disabilities Act upgrades; and upgrade technology for digital evidence presentation, video arraignments, and remote witness testimony.

If approved by voters, the $30 million stormwater bond will pay to build a levee and pumping station to protect the Huntington neighborhood from flooding.

During the past 10 years, three floods have damaged homes, vehicles and other property in this neighborhood, and there are 180 homes in the FEMA-designated floodplain that are at risk in the future.

At Fairfax County’s request, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers studied the best ways to protect Huntington from future floods. The study examined a number of options, including dredging Cameron Run, buying the flood-prone properties and flood proofing individual homes. It found that a levee and a pumping station are the most cost-effective way to protect Huntington.

Fairfax County will hold an online chat to answer bond questions on Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. For more info, click here.

To read Frequently Asked Questions about the bond referenda, click here.