After the Council’s vote to increase the real estate tax rate to $1.055 last spring, many residents are taking a more critical look at which recommended capital improvements are “nice-to-have” projects, such as the extensive recreational component of the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center, and which are “must-have” projects, such as replacing the high school roof and renovating the elementary schools.
According to Katy Johnson, “This past budget cycle was an eye opener for many residents. Our Arts had to beg for the small funding they depend on. Our Renaissance Housing program was completely cut. I could go on, but you get the picture.”
Other residents, however, disagree. D.T. “Tom” Ross, former City Council member, wholeheartedly supports the proposed capital improvements, arguing that “communities thrive when they invest in community services and infrastructure.” Further, he voiced the opinion that “the Willard-Sherwood Center is being shared with the County in a favorable cost sharing arrangement that will benefit both the City and the County.”
Ms. Johnson, however, remains unconvinced that City residents can afford to bear the financial burden of funding the extensive wish list of projects and expressed concerns about the impact on the city taxpayers over time. She pointed out that the city’s population is about 25,000 or 0.02% of the county’s population of almost 1.2 million people. Nevertheless, the city “will be paying more than 40% of the cost [of the Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center], taking on 20 years of debt”. She added, “This Center will serve only a fraction of our [city] population. This is not a good deal for the City of Fairfax no matter how you spin it. These services are important, absolutely, but the level of financial commitment is not prudent for a City of our size to commit to without being fully aware of how we will be paying for it which, unfortunately, is by way of our taxes being raised a significant amount for not many more services than we already have access to”.
Jeb Mann, a long-time resident, noted that formal and informal recreational facilities abound in the city at private gyms and clubs, as well as in the surrounding region. To his point, Oakmont, Wakefield, and Providence Recreation Centers are easily accessible by car, bike, scooter, or bus from the city and offer extensive services and classes at a reasonable cost.
Indeed, in recent social media posts, city residents noted that local businesses already offer many of the fitness services that the Center would provide. For example, Planet Fitness offers low-cost fitness memberships starting at $15 per month. The Silver Sneakers program offers seniors a no-cost health and wellness program with locations to choose from in the city. The Down the Line (DTL) Sports Center offers indoor pickle ball. Orange Theory offers fitness programs. Lifetime Fitness offers a basketball court, swimming pools, bocce and pickle ball, day care, and classes for all age groups. City residents also have access to the fitness centers at George Mason, and swimming pool and golf at the County’s Oakmont Rec Center, which also offers drop-in day care.
Mr. Mann summarized the situation: “Bottom line: The City of Fairfax is heading on the fast train to financial ruin. It is time to put the brakes on. We cannot afford “nice-to-have” projects and services. We must begin living within our means or many residents and local businesses will be priced out of the city.”
City residents have time to voice their concerns to the City Council. As Katy Johnson, a long-time city resident, noted, “The good news is that for the planned Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center, there are ‘exit ramps’ built into every phase of this project that allow the City to terminate it. I hope the City Council takes one of those exit ramps.”
