Article Text

Fairfax County leaders are considering whether to consolidate or restructure several “placemaking” organizations as they search for savings ahead of a difficult budget year.

The Board of Supervisors directed County Executive Bryan Hill on Feb. 3 to review Visit Fairfax, Volunteer Fairfax, the Tysons Community Alliance and other organizations that may provide overlapping services. Hill was asked to develop a plan before the county’s new fiscal year begins in July.

Although each group provides value, board members said fragmented operations and duplicated services can weaken their collective impact and efficiency.

Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, who requested the review, said the organizations have intersecting missions involving tourism promotion, business recruitment, workforce engagement and place-based development.

“We’re really going into a very difficult budget year,” Palchik said, adding that the county must closely examine every dollar it spends.

Hill acknowledged that some county-supported work is performed duplicatively and said he would return to the board with serious proposals. He described the review as an opportunity to better align the organizations.

Both Hill and Palchik stressed that the review was not intended as criticism of the groups or their accomplishments.

The proposal began with a focus on Tysons before expanding, Palchik said. In addition to the three named organizations, the directive permits supervisors or Hill to identify other groups for consideration.

Created in 2022 with $2.5 million in county funding, the Tysons Community Alliance officially launched in February 2023. It is responsible for advancing Fairfax County’s vision for Tysons and, under an agreement completed in July 2023, may request county funding annually through the budget process.

Visit Fairfax is a nonprofit serving as the county’s official tourism marketing organization. It receives revenue from transient occupancy taxes collected from hotels.

Volunteer Fairfax receives donations and county budget support, including $490,290 during the current fiscal year.

Palchik said the affected organizations were notified before the directive was introduced.

The board approved the review unanimously among the supervisors present. Board Chair Jeff McKay did not attend the meeting.

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck said he hoped the process would ultimately improve the county’s work.

Centreville Volunteer Fire Department Marks 75 Years

During the same meeting, supervisors honored the Centreville Volunteer Fire Department for its 75th anniversary.

Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith praised the department’s long history of community service.

The Centreville department is one of 12 private, nonprofit volunteer fire companies that work with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. It provides additional staffing at two stations.

At Fire Station 17, located at 5856 Old Centreville Road, the volunteer department owns the land, building and apparatus. At Fire Station 38, located at 6001 O’Day Drive, it owns the ambulances, while the county owns the property, building, engine and ladder truck.

Department members attending the recognition included second-generation volunteers and people who had served for at least three decades.

John “Pete” Kirby, representing the department, said the recognition meant a great deal to its members and the community.

Kirby said the organization was founded in 1955 after a business owner discovered that insurance was unavailable because there were no nearby fire brigades. Emergency service at the time had to come from Fairfax, Herndon, Chantilly and Gainesville.

Volunteers may serve in operational or administrative positions.

The department raises money for equipment through smoke-free bingo at 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays at Fire Station 417. The event can accommodate 200 people and uses computerized bingo equipment.

Supervisors Honor Retiring Cornerstones CEO

The board also recognized Kerrie Wilson as she prepares to retire after 25 years as CEO of Cornerstones, the nonprofit formerly known as Reston Interfaith.

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn called Wilson’s retirement a loss for Fairfax County and praised her impact on residents’ lives.

Cornerstones provides safety-net assistance to about 26,000 people annually. Its services include emergency shelter, affordable housing and support for day laborers.

Wilson moved to the Herndon area with her family in 1976 and has led Cornerstones since 2001. She announced her planned departure last summer to give the organization time to find her successor.

A new CEO is expected to be announced in the spring. Wilson said she believes the next leader will continue the nonprofit’s progress, emphasizing that its work is not finished.

Religious organizations founded Reston Interfaith in 1970. The nonprofit adopted the Cornerstones name in 2013 to reflect its broader mission and expanded service area.