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City
One Journey to Make Pride Celebrations Across Northern Virginia Within Reach
Pride Month is a celebration of courage, community, and the freedom to live authentically. It’s a time to recognize the progress that has been made toward equality, while also honoring the resilience of LGBTQ+ people whose voices, stories, and advocacy continue to make our communities stronger.
Bringing the World Home: Au Pair Program Charms Families in Northern Virginia
The au pair program, specifically through organizations like Cultural Care Au Pair, is a cultural exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding between Americans and international participants that is facilitated by the US Department of State. Unlike traditional childcare, an au pair is a vetted young adult from another country who lives with a host family, providing personalized care while engaging in a deep cultural exchange, according to Cultural Care.
City FY2027 Budget: Taxes, BPOL, Meals Tax, and the Cost of Funding Growth
City of Fairfax, VA - The Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) budget for City of Fairfax outlines a broad financial plan that increases funding for schools, infrastructure, and public services while relying on a diversified set of revenue sources. Rather than a single large tax hike, the city spreads revenue adjustments across property taxes, business taxes, meals tax, hotel tax, and utility fees, creating a gradual but noticeable increase in overall costs for residents and businesses.
Fairfax County Adopts $5.7 Billion FY2027 Budget, Slightly Lowers Tax Rate
Fairfax County, VA - Fairfax County officials adopted a roughly $5.7 billion FY 2027 General Fund budget, maintaining spending across schools, public safety, transportation, health services, and infrastructure while navigating rising costs in staffing, healthcare, and long-term capital needs. The Board of Supervisors approved the plan in May, along with a quarter-cent reduction in the real estate tax rate to about $1.12 per $100 of assessed value.
City
City of Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read Announces She Will Not Seek Re-Election
On January 13, 2026, City of Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read announced that she will not seek re-election this year, ending her bid for a third term. The announcement came abruptly at the end of a public hearing which cancelled the continuance of the George Snyder Trail by a 4 - 2 vote by council members related to the funding of the trail.
Council
City Council Cancels George Snyder Trail in 4–2 Vote
The Fairfax City Council voted 4–2 to cancel the proposed George Snyder Trail, ending plans for the long-debated shared-use path. Supporters of the project said the trail would have improved pedestrian and bicycle access and strengthened connections between neighborhoods. Opponents raised concerns about cost, environmental impact, and tree loss along the proposed route.
Sports
National Rugby Day In Fairfax City
Tonight, Mayor Catherine Read declared Nov. 25, 2025, as National Rugby Day in #FairfaxCity, encouraging the #FairfaxCity community to welcome Old Glory DC and to embrace the values of teamwork, respect, and community that rugby represents. Representatives from Old Glory DC , Fairfax City Economic Development and Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce received the proclamation.
City
Mary Petersen: A Lifelong Advocate for Fairfax City’s Homeless Community
Honoree Mary Petersen has been a cornerstone of The Lamb Center, playing a vital role in its evolution from a modest outreach initiative into a comprehensive support center for individuals experiencing homelessness. The Lamb Center began in 1987 as a social outreach ministry of Truro Church, providing daytime support for those without stable housing. Petersen became involved early on, dedicating her time and energy to the center’s mission. Her commitment eventually led her to serve on the board of directors, where she helped guide the organization’s strategic growth and expansion.
Council
Council Misled on George Snyder Trail Cancellation Payback Terms
A vote to build the George Snyder Trail (GST) was pushed through last June despite significant community and Council opposition. Whatever your position on the project, you may be interested to learn that the June vote was based on misinformation. Council had been told by the acting city manager and his staff, in no uncertain terms, that the City would have to pay back $3.7 million if the project was canceled. This is simply not true.
Council
Public Hearing on Willard Sherwood Sept 30th – Op-Ed by Katy Johnson (Fairfax City Resident)
Public Hearing on Willard Sherwood Sept 30th. City of Fairfax needs to live within its means. The Willard Sherwood will cause 20 years of big debt! This single project will add at least $8.1M to our operating budget over the next two decades. Each penny on the tax rate generates about $835,000 – this is a 9.7-cent increase for the Willard Sherwood. Our portion for the base building alone is right around $52M, plus an additional $3M for underground parking for a grand total of: $54,930,000. There is also an additional $4M Performing Arts Option.
