Board Adopts FY 2014 Budget

The Arlington County Board adopted a $1.09 billion general fund budget for fiscal year (FY) 2014 that includes a 3.5-cent increase in the real estate tax rate and additional funding for affordable housing, maintenance of County-owned facilities and infrastructure, land acquisition, and core services.

“We heard from Arlingtonians that they want to preserve key services, restore proposed cuts to our police and fire departments and inspections of child-care facilities; care for those most in need; do what it takes to keep our schools among the nation’s best, and increase our investments in affordable housing and capital maintenance,” said County Board Chairman J. Walter Tejada. “This budget builds on the Board’s direction to the Manager to sustain vital services while building for the future.”

The Board made a number of changes to the county manager’s proposed budget after hearing from hundreds of County residents. The adopted FY 2014 general fund budget, which includes funding for Arlington Public Schools, grew 3.7 percent over the FY 2013 budget. The real estate tax rate will rise from $0.971 per $100 of assessed value (including sanitary district tax) to $1.006. The overall tax and fee burden for the average Arlington homeowner will increase 4.1 percent — or about $23 a month.

The FY 2014 budget includes no increases for personal property tax, business tangible property, business and professional occupational licenses, water-sewer fee, dedicated stormwater tax, or commercial transportation tax rates. The household solid waste rate will also be slightly reduced, from $293.92 to $293.76.

Affordable housing is one of our community’s top priorities. Noting the County’s high property values, the Board added $3 million in one-time funding to the Manager’s proposed $9.5 million for the County’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF). The Board’s actions bring AHIF funding to its highest levels.

Tejada cautioned that sequestration, Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process and sluggish pace of the nation’s economic recovery will continue to put pressure on the County budget for at least the next two years. Many of the funding restorations made by the Board this year, he said, were with one-time funds and may not be continued in coming years. For more information, visit the County website, http://www.arlingtonva.us; search “budget.”

Arlington Employment Center Ramps Up Services for Vets

With so many military veterans calling Arlington home, Arlington Employment Center has always offered programs that help with the transition to civilian life. Two new initiatives are taking that service to the next level.

The Employment Center’s IT Jobs for Veterans program connects those who have recently finished their military service with careers in high-growth, high-demand information technology (IT) fields. The program includes free education, certification, and job training activities and will assist 50 veterans between now and the end of 2014. “

There is a huge demand for a credentialed IT workforce locally,” said Arlington County Board Chair J. Walter Tejada. “And for all that our veterans have done for us, it is an honor to be able to provide them with the support they need to access these IT career opportunities.”

A range of services is available to veterans because the Employment Center is a comprehensive one-stop employment center with an onsite veterans employment representative. This specialist, a representative of the Virginia Employment Commission, conducts employment-related skills assessments, refers veterans to resources such as resume workshops and skill development classes, and connects job-seeking veterans with employers interested in hiring veterans. He also assists veterans in applying for VA benefits, education benefits and federal jobs.

Anyone interested in learning more about services for veterans should call the Arlington Employment Center at 703-228-1400.

Commissioning of the USS Arlington

The USS Arlington (LPD 24) joined the US Navy’s fleet after its commissioning ceremony on April 6, 2013, in Norfolk, Virginia. The ship was “brought to life” before a crowd of more than 5,000 attendees.

The USS Arlington is the second of three ships named to commemorate the attacks of 9/11 and will be the only ship with an onboard Tribute Room. To learn more about Tribute Room or how you can help, call 703-328-5246 or www.ussarlingtonlpd24.org. View photos of the USS Arlington commissioning.

Columbia Pike Streetcar Project Moving Forward

Arlington is moving forward with its planned streetcar for Columbia Pike, and is exploring all options for funding the project in the wake of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) decision in April not to include the project in its fiscal year 2014 admitted projects.

“The County is committed to building a streetcar line on Columbia Pike,” Arlington County Board Chairman J. Walter Tejada said. “Our community has spent years developing a vision for the Pike, and a modern streetcar is central to that vision. We are confident that we can put together a funding package that works for Arlington.” Tejada noted that the state recently adopted a new transportation funding mechanism that significantly increases funding available to the County for transportation projects.

Arlington and Fairfax Counties have together opted for streetcar as the best transit option for the Pike, one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the Commonwealth. Only a modern streetcar line provides the capacity needed to handle projected population and ridership increases along the Pike while supporting planned development. The County’s plan for the Pike calls for transforming it to a more transitoriented, pedestrian-friendly Main Street, while preserving diversity and affordable housing.

In 2012, Arlington applied to the FTA’s Small Starts Program to cover a portion of the project costs. The Small Starts Program provides a maximum of $75 million towards projects costing less than $250 million. Staff continues to move forward with project work, including conceptual engineering and environmental approval processes.

New Traffic Signal Coming to Crystal City

The County is installing new HAWK (High-intensity Activated Crosswalk) traffic signals at Crystal Drive and South Hayes Street as part of the Crystal Drive Two-Way Conversion project. These signals help pedestrians and bicyclists cross busy streets safely and efficiently, while stopping road traffic on an as-needed basis. HAWK signals can already be found in Alexandria and Washington, DC. These signals will increase safety and efficiency for pedestrians and bicyclists.

How do HAWK signals work?
To pedestrians, HAWK signals work the same as standard button-activated traffic signals. They stop traffic with a red light, allowing pedestrians to cross safely.

To motorists, HAWK signals will appear dark until a pedestrian triggers the signal by pushing a button. The signal then goes through a series of yellow and red sequences, requiring motorists to slow down and stop. While the “walk” signal flashes to pedestrians, the HAWK signal flashes red to motorists. This should be treated as a stop sign, indicating motorists must stop and may continue after yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk. After pedestrians cross, the HAWK goes dark again, allowing motorists to continue through the intersection.

Where you can expect HAWK signals
Arlington will be installing HAWK signals at the following intersections:

• Crystal Drive between 23rd Street South and 26th Street South
• South Hayes Street between 12th Street South and 15th Street South
• South Hayes Street between Army Navy Drive and 12th Street South

To learn more about HAWK signals in Arlington, visit: http://www.arlingtonva.us; search “HAWK.”

Meet the Goodharts: Arlington’s Foster Parents of the Year

Rebecca and Mark Goodhart are Arlington’s 2013 Foster Parents of the Year. The Goodharts became foster parents in April of 2011 and have since cared for four teens ranging in age from 14 to 16.

“Foster parenting and adoption has always been something that interested me,” said Rebecca Goodhart. “I asked Mark one day what he thought about fostering children and we decided to do some research and attend an information session. After realizing how many children need loving foster homes and how many children, especially teens, have to be placed in foster homes outside of Arlington County, we knew that we wanted to help.”

The annual award is sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to recognize foster parents in the region who have exhibited extraordinary courage, patience and care while working with the region’s foster children.

“The Goodharts have excelled in providing a loving, safe and supportive environment for the children they have welcomed into their home,” said Department of Human Services Director Susanne Eisner. “They have demonstrated understanding, commitment and genuine concern, going above and beyond to help Arlington children.”

Teens in Foster Care
Arlington typically has about 100 children in foster care — many of them teens.

“The teenage years are challenging for everyone, and even more so for teens in foster care,” said Sherri Brothers, the County family services team supervisor who nominated the Goodharts for the award. “The Goodharts have stepped into an area of critical need in the community and are making a real difference in the lives of young people.”

Becoming a Foster Parent
Arlington County will be holding an information session on Saturday, June 8 for anyone interested in learning about becoming a foster parent. Call Erica Serrano at 703-228-1550 or visit openheartsopenhomes@arlingtonva.us.

Senior Spotlight: 36th Annual Senior Law Day

Equality for All

May 23 1-4 p.m.

Speakers:

• Proclomation: County Board Chairman J. Walter Tejada
• “View from the Bench,” The Honorable Louise DiMatteo, Judge
• “Legislative Update,” the Honorable Alfonso Lopez, Delegate
• “Legislative Update, General Assembly”
• Arlington Sheriff Beth Arthur, “Court & Courthouse Security.”

There will be informational exhibits, free photo id cards, free emergency cell phones and refreshments. Free. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St. (fully accessible). To arrange for disability-related accommodations: Jessica Vasquez, 703-228-0948, jvasquez@arlingtonva.us.