Michelle Krocker and Shelley Murphy were honored at the Jan. 24 meeting of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Krocker, the founder and executive director of the Northern Virginia Housing Alliance, was recognized for her 17 years of advocacy and service. Shelley Murphy, president/CEO of Wesley Housing, for her 15 years of pioneering the provision of supportive services and affordable housing in the area.

The board recognized Michelle Krocker and Shelly Murphy. 

 

“Because of your tenacity, we've moved the needle significantly on affordable housing, particularly in the last couple years,” said Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. ”What I'm most proud of is we're finally starting to see affordable housing being built throughout this county, near transit in areas where traditionally there's been no affordable housing, giving people opportunities not just to have a roof over their head, but to utilize that roof into something else, maybe a better job, perhaps a better situation for them and their family.”

During a Public Hearing on Jan. 24, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a lower real estate tax rate for surviving spouses of military service members who died in the line of duty, significantly lowering their tax bills. Fairfax County is the only jurisdiction in Virginia to provide these surviving spouses with tax relief. The lower tax rate is retroactive to January 1, 2022. 

The board's action establishes a tax rate of $0.01 per $100 assessed value for these spouses. It is the lowest permitted rate under a state law passed last year. Local governments can offer a lower tax rate by creating a separate classification for real property owned by surviving spouses.

The board also approved the following administrative items:

In the Sully District, “Watch for Children” sign as part of the Residential Traffic Administration Program. Funding for $300 is available in Fund 300-C30050, Project 2G25-076-000, Traffic Calming Program.

In the Springfield District, “$200 Additional Fine for Speeding” signs as part of the Residential Traffic Administration Program For the “$200 Additional Fine for Speeding” signs, $500 is to be paid out of the VDOT secondary road construction budget.

In the Dranesville District, Discontinuance of a Portion of Route 1049 (Mackall Avenue) from the Secondary System of State Highways

In the Hunter Mill District, authorization to advertise a public hearing to consider adopting an ordinance to establish the Covington Community Parking District

Supplemental Appropriation Resolution for the Department of Family Services to accept Workforce Innovation Grant funding from Virginia Community College System to support the Northern Virginia Career Pathways for Refugees Initiative of $168,201. According to Fairfax County,  funding will be used for a career pathways workforce development initiative to serve refugees over 17 months. It will provide targeted professional job development, work-based learning opportunities, training, and the acquisition of industry-recognized credentials to assist them in successfully integrating into the local economy.

Authorization for the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination to apply for and accept $830,000 in grant funding if received from the U.S. Department of Energy to support the Charge Up Fairfax Program. No new positions will be created, and no Local Cash Match is required.