n LOUDOUN
4 | n LEESBURG
VOL. 9, NO. 14
8 | n EDUCATION
10 | n PUBLIC NOTICES
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Releases Bald Eagle into Wild A juvenile bald eagle was released back into the wild Feb. 9 after being rehabilitated by Blue Ridge Wildlife Center.
BY HANNA PAMPALONI
hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
Onlookers gathered at the Evergreen Christian School near Leesburg on Friday to watch the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center release a rehabilitated bald eagle. The eagle was found at the Loudoun County Landfill three weeks ago suffering from lead poisoning, facial abrasions, and a mouth sore. He also had a sore on his keel, or chest area, that signified he had
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
EAGLE RELEASE continues on page 37
Dentler Proposes ‘Lean’ FY25 Budget, Holds Property Taxes Flat BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
Leesburg Town Manager Kaj Dentler presented his fiscal year 2025 budget recommendations to the Town Council on Tuesday, seeking a 4% increase in General Fund spending. Dentler is recommending the council retain the 17.74-cent real estate tax rate for the third consecutive year. Based on the recent property assessments, that would result in a $50 increase in the an-
nual tax bill for the average single-family detached home property. “It’s a lean budget. It’s intended to focus on our ability to control the growth of the budget and not worry so much about expanding the budget—to focus on what we’re doing and do that well,” Dentler told the council. However, he warned that such a closeto-the-line approach, including the use of reserves to provide some revenue stabilization, isn’t sustainable in the long run. “There will be future conversations that we need to address on other needs, but at
this time, the focus is on just controlling a lean budget with modest revenue forecasts,” he said. The General Fund is proposed at $81.6 million, a $3.18 million increase. Key drivers include two new office leases as the Department of Public Works and Department of Community Development move out of Town Hall, and the lease of the temporary air traffic control tower at Leesburg Executive Airport. Those three projects total $376,000. Dentler has proposed a 3% COLA and a 4% pool for merit pay increase, at a
combined cost of $2 million. For the first time in a decade, the town is experiencing a large increase, 9.6%, in its health insurance costs, adding another $395,000 to the General Fund. The town also has some areas of savings, including $100,000 through the expiration of a high fuel cost surcharge in its trash hauling contract. Dentler is proposing only two new programs. A $30,000 contribution to support LEESBURG BUDGET continues on page 37
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Two Long Time Crossing Guards to Retire with VDOT Awards BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com
Two long time Loudoun County Sherriff ’s Office crossing guards were named Outstanding Crossing Guards for 2023 by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Courtney Markowski and Dave Becker—two of six statewide to receive the award—learned of the award Feb. 7, National Crossing Guard Appreciation Day. This was Markowski’s first time winning the award in 11 years as the crossing guard at Round Hill Elementary School. She said it was the perfect ending to a job she loved. “I never would have thought when I took the position that I would still be here,” she said adding that she started when her kids were in fourth and fifth grade and now her daughter just graduated college and her son is a junior in college. “It’s a nice way to close out 11 years of service,” she said. “Nothing like going out on a high.” She said she took the job because she felt it was the perfect job for a stay-athome mom because it gave her flexibility and her work schedule was the same as her kids’ school schedule. “The highlight of the job is seeing the kids in the morning. I’m the first one they greet before they go over to school and I
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Courtney Markowksi has been at her post as a Round Hill Elementary School crossing guard for 11 years.
really do enjoy the conversations I have and the things they tell me,” she said. She said she has tried to get to know each of the kids and the parents and learn everyone’s name. “It really went by fast,” she said. Markowski resigned last year but said she would stay on in the position until the Sheriff ’s Office found a replacement. She is planning on this year being her final
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Blue Ridge Middle School’s crossing guard, David Becker greets students and drivers each morning with high fives, a salute or heart hands.
year. One of Loudoun’s original 12 paid firefighters, Becker retired in 2011 after 30 years in Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. He said he had seen it all in his line of work, including being a Pentagon first responder on 9/11 and said he wanted something different. Plus, he said, he was driving his wife nuts being home so he decided to apply for the crossing
guard position. “I’ve seen everything from SID’s babies to teenage wrecks, now I get ‘crossing guard Dave, I forgot my homework,’” he said adding he gives the kids lots of love, advice and sends them safely to school. Becker has been the crossing guard at CROSSING GUARD continues on page 39
Senate Passes Travel Transparency Bill Over Supervisors’ Objections BY HANNA PAMPALONI
hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
A bill introduced by Sen. Russet Perry (D-31) that would require local governments to be more transparent about travel expenses passed in the Senate on Friday. The bill would require elected officials to obtain a public vote by the governing body approving any travel that uses public funds and is expected to cost over $5,000. It also requires that officials inform the public if the final expenses exceed the previously approved amount. Perry said the bill is a “transparency bill.” The proposal was spurred by controversy over two trips by Loudoun County Supervisors to sister-city venues in Ghana and Uruguay. Perry said she heard
a lot of concerns about the travel while campaigning last year. “The sister-city travel controversy isn’t new in Loudoun County; this has been an issue for voters every year since it was first implemented under a Republican chair,” she stated. “The goal is not to place additional restrictions on local government, but to ensure the public has access to how public dollars are being spent by their elected officials. This legislation is simply about transparency and accountability, irrespective of the party or persons in power.” The bill cleared the Senate on a 29-9 vote with one abstention. Loudoun Sen. Suhas Subramanyam (D-32) opposed passage saying he understood Perrys’ intent, but thought the bill should expand to other elected officials. “Why are we singling out local
goverments?” he asked. The bill is also opposed by the Virginia Association of Counties and the county board. Perry’s original language would have required a formal vote of approval by supervisors for travel by all elected officials and some staff members, including the chief administrative officer and his deputies as well as all department heads, that cost $2,500 or more. During debate in the Senate Local Government Committee, some members questioned the change to include only elected officials, but a motion to revert the language failed. During that Feb. 5 discussion, Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D-13) referenced the criticism that Loudoun supervisors faced in 2023 following a trip to Ghana and asked if the county had amended its
travel policy since then. “There were a number of conversations, specifically at the Board of Supervisors level, to try to address this issue,” Perry said. “I don’t know if you’ve seen their amendments or not, but they specifically exclude the chair from having to comply with any of their recommendations, and it’s my position that all members of elected officials should be under this requirement.” In December 2023, county supervisors adopted an amended travel policy that permits the county chair and the chief of staff to travel internationally with 45 days advance notice to the board; permits supervisors to travel domestically using their constituent office TRAVEL BILL continues on page 39
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Loudoun
ON THE Agenda
Planning Commission Rejects Data Center in Metro Planning Area BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
The Loudoun County Planning Commission is recommending denial of a plan to build a data center along Rt. 28 in an area planned for Metro-oriented development. The Innovation Gateway project envisions a 425-unit apartment building and 700,000 square feet of data center space on 29 acres southeast of the Rt. 28/Old Ox Road interchange. The property is just over a mile from the Innovation Station Metrorail stop and the county plans call to it a development style designated at Urban Transit Center, characterized by dense, urban, walkable, mixed-use, and transit-oriented uses close to Metrorail stations. The developer argued that the property was on the fringe or outside the typical Metro planning zone and that the noise of Rt. 28 traffic made a data center a good use. The planning staff recommended denial of the applications based on the project’s incompatibility with the comprehensive plan’s transit center development concepts. During a Feb. 8 work session, commissioners opposing the project said they worried about opening the area—long planned for high-density, mixed-use
A rendering of the Innovation Gateway development with a 425-unit multi-family residential building along a widened Shaw Road and two data center buildings along Rt. 28.
development—to data centers. But they also praised the proposal for showing how data centers and residential development can be designed together. That work may offer an example to be considered in other areas of the county, they said. “This is one of the nicest data centers that ever come before us. Maybe the nicest,” Chair Michelle Frank (Broad Run) said. Clifford Kierce (Sterling) made the motion to recommend denial. “There’s a lot of good things with this
application I just wish it were somewhere else,” he said. Vice Chair Eric Combs (Ashburn) and James Banks (Algonkian) voted against a denial recommendation. They supported continued talks to explore how this type of development could be incorporated in county plans. Commissioners Dale Polen Myers (At Large) and Mark Miller (Catoctin) were absent for the vote. The project next moves to the Board of Supervisors for a public hearing. n
Supervisors Briefed on DEIA Assessment Results BY HANNA PAMPALONI
hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
County supervisors last week heard results from the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Assessment Report that was funded as part of the fiscal year 2021 budget and conducted beginning in November 2022. In July 2021 Carl Rush was hired to head up the county’s new Office of Equity and Inclusion. The board authorized a $125,000 contract with MGT of American Consulting to conduct the study and de-
velop an equity plan. The assessment included a survey taken by 1,043 county staff members and four focus groups with over 40 staff members participating. “The primary purpose of the assessment was to develop a baseline evaluation of the organization’s performance related to DEI indicators,” Rush told supervisors during the Feb. 6 meeting. The survey, which included 48 multiple-choice questions and five open-ended questions, found that staff members felt the highest level of discomfort when
discussing topics related to LGBTQIA+ identities with coworkers, MGT DEI consultant Juan Osuna said. “While a majority (69%) of survey respondents indicated they were comfortable ‘raising a concern to the person I report to,’ there were clear indications that employees perceive opportunities for County Department Directors to improve in areas such as being ‘fully ready to engage in difficult conversations regarding DEIA RESULTS continues on page 5
Employee Energy Challenge Wins Innovation Award Loudoun County’s Employee Energy Challenge has been recognized by the Association of Energy Engineers as the 2023 Innovative Energy Project of the Year in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast region. County employees have the opportunity to pledge to take action to help save energy each month. The actions include turning off lights and computers when not in use, setting printers to double-sided printing, recycling recyclable materials and more. Three employees are selected at random each month and receive energy-efficient LED light bulbs as a prize. Since the program’s inception in 2013 more than 2,700 Loudoun County employees have made more than 20,000 pledges and more than 6,400 energy-efficient light bulbs have been distributed. The employees’ individual actions have resulted in an energy reduction of more than 750,000 kilowatt-hours and a carbon dioxide emissions reduction of 532 metric tons, which is equivalent to the electricity use of about 100 average homes over a year’s time. Learn more about the county’s energy initiatives at loudoun.gov/energy.
Four Tax Relief Seminars Planned Commissioner of the Revenue Robert S. Wertz Jr. is holding free information sessions to familiarize residents who are 65 years or older, or are totally and permanently disabled, with the county’s real estate and vehicle tax relief programs. Qualifying residents may benefit from a reduction in the amount of property taxes they pay. The sessions will be held Monday, Feb. 26 at Ashburn Library; Wednesday, Feb. 28 at Cascades Library; Monday, March 4 at Purcellville Library; and Monday, March 11 at Rust Library. The sessions will begin at 10:30 a.m. In 2023, residents qualified for more than $9 million in real estate and vehicle property tax savings. For more information or to obtain an application go to loudoun.gov/taxrelief. n
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
DEIA results continued from page 4 equity,’” according to the staff report. Sixty-two percent of survey respondents said they felt that employees respect others whose identities are different from their own, but only 17% answered that they had a sense of belonging at Loudoun County. Rush said the focus groups had discussed concerns about the high cost of living adversely affecting recruitment and retention. The report cited six broad recommendations including: strengthen leadership and management accountability in alignment with DEIA practice; evaluate and enhance communication channels for efficacy; foster awareness and shared understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; cultivate a culture of inclusivity and psychological safety through feedback mechanisms; monitor and track equity in job selections, career development, and promotions; and focus efforts on community-facing DEIA work. County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) asked if the consultants could elaborate on the recommendations. “I’m pretty good with this language and I know what you just said to me. I understood the words, but I don’t have context around those words,” she said. Rush said the second recommendation, to evaluate and engage communication, was intended to make sure that the DEI’s purpose and work are being effectively communicated across every county department. He said psychological safety involved feeling included and how safe staff members felt interacting with leadership. “The proposed next steps that we’re looking for are, we’re seeking the board’s feedback on the key findings and recommendations in this report to incorporate in the equity action plan,” Rush said. Supervisor Laura A. TeKrony (D-Little River) asked if the assessment included collaboration with Loudoun County Public Schools’ DEIA and if the demographics of the survey respondents matched the county staff demographics. Rush said the assessment had not been coordinated with the school division because the assessment was an internal process and that he could send her the survey respondents’ demographics. Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Ca-
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
toctin) said he had concerns about the recommendation to monitor equity in job selections, development, and promotions. “As an employer, I am looking at who the most qualified person is when I’m trying to hire someone. So, what is the purpose of tracking equity in terms of job selection if we want to get the most qualified people, and how does that interact with your qualifications?” he said. “When we’re looking at equity and job selection and development and career promotions, it really is, how are we recruiting? How are we marketing? How wide are we casting our net, as well? What are some of the questions and attributes that we’re asking during recruitment that align with the equity resolution that was passed?” Rush said. Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) said he was concerned that only 17% of employees felt a sense of belonging. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in an organization in my whole career where I would not have answered, yes I had a sense of belonging,” he said. Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said he felt that response contradicted the results from another question in the survey, where 65% of respondents answered that they had “a genuine sense of belonging” at the county. “Have these questions been asked of other jurisdictions or workforces? And do we have comparable data? Because I’ll be honest, I do not know how to interpret this. I don’t know whether these numbers are high or low or unusual or usual?” he said. Osuna said his team has run similar surveys in other jurisdictions and they could provide some general results for comparison. “Part of the reason we don’t generally provide that benchmarking when it comes to these questions is because every municipality is different … and sometimes folks really get too much into the weeds of comparing and say like, ‘oh, if we’re doing relatively better than this other county, then I think we’re in a good space.’ But relatively, they’re missing the bigger picture which is there is still room for improvement,” Osuna said. Rush said development of the Loudoun Equity Action Plan would begin Feb. 23 and that it would come before the board for further input later this year. n
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Round Hill Lifts Water Restrictions The Town of Round Hill ended its mandatory water conservation order Feb. 7. The town’s 1,800 utility customers have been under orders to reduce water usage since Nov. 1 as a prolonged drought reduced production in its system of 12 groundwater wells. The lifting of the restrictions came just hours after the town got state approval to add a new well to the system. Well D will be the town’s highest producing water source, capable of pumping out 180 gallons per minute—a capacity that exceeds the production of the town’s two top wells combined and is more than the current treatment plant can handle. Initially, the well is expected to run at a 115 gallons per minute rate, with more capacity available after the town builds a new treatment plant, according to town Project Manager Rob Lohr. The Town Council voted last month to lift the water use restrictions once Well D was certified for use. With the action, the town returns to a status of voluntary water conservation, with residents encouraged to continue to conserve and to avoid outdoor
water use. After the mandatory restrictions were announced Nov. 1, utility customers significantly reduced their water usage, to an average of 119 gallons per day in November and December. However, during January usage returned to normal, about 143 gallons per day on average. Despite the recent rains and the promise of a boost from Well D, town leaders warned that mandatory restrictions could return this summer if the region experiences dry conditions this spring. Well D was the town’s most urgent utility project, but others are in the works. This month, the council is expected to approve a switch to monthly billing from the current two-month cycle. The change is intended to allow customers to better track their water use. In addition to plans for a new water treatment plant on the north side of town, Round Hill is moving toward construction of a new 500,000-gallon water tank on the south side of town to improve the system’s performance and resiliency. n
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General Assembly
Reid’s Rural Roads Bill Approved by House BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
Legislation introduced by Del. David Reid (D-28) that would allow highway construction district grants to be used for improvements, other than paving, of gravel roads in the state, was adopted unanimously by the House Feb. 7. The bill is the result of years of work by the Rural Roads Committee, part of the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition, to work with the Virginia Department of Transportation, the county’s transportation staff, and local representatives to improve the county’s over 250 miles of unpaved roads. Typically, funding from the highway construction grants is routed to the Rural Rustic Roads Program. Reid said that VDOT representatives and county officials understood that state code limited the improvements able to be made to paving. This bill would clarify that improvements may include drainage upgrades, new materials and other types of treatment if they will increase safety, reduce maintenance costs, or enhance the historical qualities of the highway without paving them. “The entire intent of this is for them to
get permission from the General Assembly that says you can do other things to improve rural roads other than paving them,” Reid said. While in the House Transportation Committee, language was removed from the bill that would have given localities the authority to design and implement the improvements as well. VDOT representatives objected to that language because, since the funding was provided through them, the projects needed to meet their designs and standards, something they would not have control over if the design was implemented by a locality, Reid said. Representatives from Reid’s office, VDOT, the Rural Roads Committee and Sen. Russet Perry’s (D-31) office have been working to find language that would give localities the ability to be involved in the design and implementation process while keeping within VDOT’s project standards. Perry introduced a similar bill in the Senate, which passed with the language stricken from Reid’s bill, Jan. 24 with a unanimous vote. Advocates plan to amend both bills as they cross over to be considered by the opposite chamber to include language that any improvements must conform to VDOT’s project standards. “Improvements pursuant to this
section shall be designed and implemented, utilizing project standards that conform to then-existing federal and state requirements and standards and if no such standards exist, that conform to standards as mutually agreed by the Department and the locality,” according to the proposed amendment. Del. Geary Higgins (R-30) also introduced similar legislation in the House that was continued to 2025. Higgins has signed on as a copatron to Reid’s bill. Rural Roads Committee member Emily Houston called the change a “win-win.” “We’re happy with it. We think that it represents a really good effort of all of our local representatives at the state level working together, listening to the citizens and getting something good done,” she said. “This has really been years in the making, too, with this effort, and a lot’s gone behind it. I think VDOT is actually quite pleased with it.” Houston said she was thankful for Reid, Higgins and Perry’s work on the bill and said it was a good example of residents being able to cause change. The Virginia Department of Transportation did not respond to a request for comment. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation Feb. 8. n
Proposal to Give Towns a Cut of Plastic Bag Tax Advances BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
A bill by Del. Marty Martinez (D-29) that would reallocate some revenue from the county’s plastic bag tax to the towns, passed in the House Feb. 8 on a 52-45 vote. Starting in July 2022, Loudoun supervisors imposed a 5-cent tax on single-use plastic bags in checkout lines at grocery stores, convenience stores and drugstores. During its first fiscal year, the tax generated $760,000 in revenue for the county. Martinez’s bill would allow towns to receive a portion of that revenue based on the local sales tax distribution formula for appropriations to towns. “There is bipartisan support because HB4 does not raise taxes, instead it redirects revenue to support existing environmental programs that Leesburg, and
other towns, currently manage,” Martinez stated. “Our local communities know that when town citizens pay taxes, those citizens should have the most direct control of this revenue.” Among those supporting the bill is the Coalition of Loudoun Towns, which sent a letter of support for the bill to the General Assembly. “These taxes are collected within the Towns of the Commonwealth and paid primarily by those town citizens. They should receive as direct as possible the benefits of this tax. This is common practice and well-established tax policy within the Commonwealth and should apply in this instance,” according to the letter. Del. Geary Higgins (R-30) also supported the bill, helping it to clear the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns Committee on Feb. 2. “I don’t personally support the bag
tax,” he stated. “However, if the county is going to choose to implement one, they should have to share the revenues with the other jurisdictions within the county that are in fact collecting the tax. … Hopefully having to share the revenue will lead the County to think twice before imposing additional taxes on its citizens.” The county is required to use the funds only for programs that assist in environmental cleanup, provide education programs designed to reduce environmental waste, mitigate pollution and litter or provide reusable bags to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program or Women, Infants and Children program benefits. Under the bill, that restriction would extend to the towns, as well. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations Feb. 9. n
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Senate Approves Accessory Dwelling Unit Mandate BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
The Virginia Senate approved a bill that would require localities to permit the construction of second-dwelling units on single-family home lots Feb. 9. Proposed by Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37), of Fairfax County, the bill passed on a 22-18 vote, with Loudoun’s representatives divided on the issue. Sen. Suhas Subramanyam (D-32) supported it; Sen. Russet Perry (D-31) voted against it. Advocates of the bill say it will increase opportunities for affordable houses. Opponents characterize the measure as General Assembly overreach into local land use that could overwhelm community infrastructure. The bill would require all counties, cities, and towns to adopt an accessory dwelling unit ordinance to allow second homes on single-family residential lots. It would prohibit localities from requiring special exception permits and limit the application fee to $250. The bill lists a series of limitations localities may impose, including a size limit of 1,500 square feet, requirements for parking, compliance with building codes, utility access, stormwater requirements, and architectural controls. Days before the Senate vote, Middleburg Mayor Bridge Littleton sent a letter to Perry objecting to the bill. “SB 304 proposed to mandate certain Zoning Ordinance regulations, which goes against decades of precedent that zoning and land use is a local matter to be handled by local government bodies,” Littleton wrote. He said the bill was “simply a bad policy.” The potential to double the density of residential neighborhoods could overwhelm streets, stormwater management system, water and sewer infrastructure, and government services, he warned. “SB 304 simply throws the local Comprehensive Plan out the window DWELLING UNITS continues on page 7
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Reid’s PPTA Greenway Bill Stopped in Committee BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
A bill proposed by Del. David Reid (D-28) that would move oversight of the Dulles Greenway from the Highway Corporation Act to the Public-Private Transportation Act died in the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 13. Reid advocated the shift in oversight of the toll road from the State Corporation Commission to the Virginia Department of Transportation as the best option to reduce toll rates on the privately owned highway. He said a PPTA contract could include requirements for distance tolling, reducing charges for many drivers. The legislation also required the state to make up for any revenue loss experienced by the local government resulting from the transfer. Excluding data center owners, the Greenway ranks as one of the county’s largest real estate taxpayers—money expected to go way under the deal. Reid had identified state revenue from skill games, or from casinos and sport authorities, or budget surpluses as options to cover the lost money. The bill was approved by the House Transportation Committee with amendments that would only require the commonwealth to “explore options” to provide hold-harmless assurances to Loudoun County. The amended bill was sent to the Appropriations Committee Feb. 6, but that panel took no action by the Feb. 13 deadline. Reid criticized the Board of Supervisors for opposing the bill, as it had done in previous General Assembly sessions. “It’s disappointing that the Board has spent taxpayer dollars again on lawyers and lobbyists to maintain the status quo,” Reid stated. “Their approach has
Dwelling units continued from page 6 without consideration for the interests of the residents of a community,” Littleton wrote. “SB 304 is bad policy, creates terrible precedent, and ignores the wishes of local governments and their citizens.” During the debate on the Senate floor, Salim said it would give landowners the freedom to use their land as they wish. Sen. Richard H. Stuart (R-25), of Montross, opposed the bill, saying there were better ways to address concerns about housing affordability without obliterating the ability of localities to control land use. “This would be disastrous for many communities,” he said. n
resulted in toll rate increases every year for the past 28 years. Their unwillingness to explore other options could burden constituents with yet another unacceptable rate increase between 11.5% and 40%, and no distance-based tolling. Our office has introduced a form of this legislation every year I’ve been elected. This is a critical issue to my constituents and no matter what office I hold next year, I will continue to make this issue a priority.” Reid is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 10th District congressional seat. The State Corporation Commission is
reviewing of a request by Toll Road Investors Partnership II, the company that owns the 14-mile highway, to raise toll rates to increase the maximum tolls charged to most drivers to $8.10 during peak hours, up from the current $5.80; and to $6.40 during off-peak hours, up from $5.25. Sen. Suhas Subramanyam (D-32) also introduced legislation affecting the Dulles Greenway that would give the SCC the authority to lower toll rates, not just approve or deny the requested increases, but decided to hold the legislation at the committee level to see how the current rate increase request would play out and what com-
PAGE 7 ments the SCC would give when ruling. “Those are helpful when crafting legislation,” he said. Subramanyam said he had hoped a ruling would be made before the bills crossed over to be considered by the opposite chamber Feb. 14. He said if the SCC made a ruling before the General Assembly finalizes the budget, there would still be options to pursue through budget funding. The next step in the review will be Feb. 16 when the hearing officer will consider rebuttal testimony following two rounds of public hearings. The examiner then will compile recommendations to be considered by the SCC judges. n
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Leesburg
AROUND town
Council Approves Second Lynching Memorial BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
The Leesburg Town Council on Tuesday approved a joint project with the Loudoun County NAACP to erect a historical marker highlighting the lynching of Charles Craven in 1902. It would be the second lynching memorial in town. The project has been in the works since 2018, when the council approved a request by the NAACP to place a marker at the lynching site, along East Market Street just east of the Catoctin Circle intersection. The area was then known at Potter’s Field, a burial ground for indigent residents. According to a database of lynchings that happened in Virginia, Carven was ar-
rested July 31, 1902, on the suspicion of murdering William H. Wilson, Confederate War veteran, and for an unrelated robbery that occurred six days before the fatal shooting. Carven, a 22-year-old Black man who worked on a dairy farm, was held at the county jail under the additional protection of a military detachment when a mob of 500 armed men broke in. He was taken about a mile away to a place where he was hanged from a tree. His attackers then fired some 400 rounds into his body. Only two men, Scott Bradley and Charles Lowenback, were charged in the lynching. Both were acquitted in jury trials. With the council’s action Tuesday night, the project now moves to the Vir-
ginia Department of Historic Resources to approve the content of the historical highway marker. The project is expected to cost $6,400, with the town contributing the cost of creating the plat and easement and for installation, estimated at $3,000, and the NAACP contributing the rest. Organizers hope to install the new marker by November. In 2019, a similar memorial was dedicated in memory of Orion Anderson, a 14-year-old Black boy. He was arrested after he was accused of jumping out and scaring a white girl of the same age while wearing a bag over his head. On Nov. 8, 1889, a mob took him from the jail and hanged him at a freight depot, near what today is the intersection of Harrison Street and the W&OD trail at Raflo Park. n
Biden, Harris Meet with House Dems in Lansdowne
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Marine One lands at Leesburg Executive Airport on Thursday as President Joe Biden arrives to speak during a retreat of House Democrats at Lansdowne Resort.
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Operations at Leesburg Executive Airport were halted temporarily last week to accommodate visits by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Both flew by helicopter to the airport and then were driven to Lansdowne Resort to deliver remarks during the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference. Harris spoke on Feb. 7 and Biden the next day. The airport was closed at times on Wednesday and Thursday and Lansdowne Resort was closed to the public Feb. 6-8. n
Burk Plans for Data Center Town Hall Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk on Monday suggested the town government conduct a special town hall meeting to provide “real information” about data centers to the community. The proposal, made during Monday night’s Town Council work session, comes as the town is reviewing several data center projects and looking to complete an annexation that will include a 323acre Microsoft data center campus—and possibly add $10 million a year in new tax revenue. Later this month, the council is expected to take up the controversial application to approve a data center on 33 acres of industrial land east of the Village at Leesburg. During the Planning Commission’s review of that project, residents raised concerns about the potential for constant noise, the demand for water, the available power capacity, years of construction, and the potential impact on their property values. Burk said the forum should include a factual review of the pros and cons of data centers.
Mural Proposals Sought for Outlet Mall Wall The town is seeking design submissions for a mural that will be located on a wall at the Leesburg Premium Outlets. The design of the mural should be relevant to the lifestyle of Leesburg, with priority given to artwork that includes a historical concept and the opportunity for selfies. The call is open to all artists in the Washington, DC, metro region with no requirement for previous public art experience. Submissions will be reviewed by the Commission on Public Art and property owners in March. The Town Council will have the AROUND TOWN continues on page 9
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
AROUND town continued from page 8
final say on the wall location and selected artwork. The submission deadline is March 1. For more information, go to leesburgva.gov/publicartnews.
Dog Park to Close for Maintenance The town will be performing annual
maintenance inside the Olde Izaak Walton Dog Park beginning Tuesday, Feb. 20. The dog park is scheduled to reopen on Friday, Feb. 23. Maintenance will include the removal of the wood chip mulch, which will be replaced with a new layer. The decomposition of the mulch causes the surfacing to become saturated and can often lead to drainage concerns. Also, the town plans to replace the wood fencing and gates that border the front of the dog park in early March. n
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Education
SCHOOL notebook
Anti-Hazing Education Bill Passes State Senate BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
agustin@loudounnow.com
The state Senate unanimously passed a bill that establishes an education program to prevent hazing in all Virginia high schools Feb. 6. Senate Bill 379, sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-38), requires the Board of Education to develop Standards of Learning and curriculum guidelines for research-based hazing prevention education as part of health and P.E. class. Boysko co-sponsored Adams Law in 2022 after the death of Potomac Falls High School graduate Adam Oakes in a hazing incident at Virginia Commonwealth University on Feb. 27, 2021. That law requires universities to provide extensive in-person education and information on hazing to all members and new members of student organizations. Courtney White, the cousin of Oakes and an advocate for anti-hazing education, said she partnered with Boysko to create the bill because she felt high school
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
School Board member Linda Deans (Broad Run) was recognized Feb. 13 with a proclamation as the first Black woman to be elected to the Loudoun County School Board.
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Courtney White and Eric Oakes, in 2022, hold a picture of Eric’s son, Adam, who died in a hazing incident in 2021. The state Senate unanimously passed a bill Tuesday that establishes an education program to prevent hazing in all Virginia high schools.
kids needed to be made aware. White, an educator for the past 18 years, had just started her doctoral degree in January 2021. She said Adam’s
death changed her entire outlook and she decided to do her dissertation on an ANTI-HAZING BILL continues on page 13
Parents Speak Out Against Hovatter Enrollment Shift BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
agustin@loudounnow.com
Parents of rising second graders who were slated to attend Hovatter Elementary School this fall met with school leaders to object to plans to shift their students to Henrietta Lacks Elementary School Feb 7. Parents said it would be the third consecutive school change for their children. The decision by the former School Board in December to change boundaries at several Aldie-area elementary schools to alleviate overcrowding at other schools and to establish an attendance zone for Henrietta Lacks—a school being built on the same campus as Hovatter and scheduled to open this fall—forced the staff to reconsider the plan to keep rising second graders at Hovatter. Henrietta Lacks was originally scheduled to open to kindergarten through second grade students, while Hovatter was going to house third through fifth grade students. The School Board in October ENROLLMENT SHIFT continues on page 12
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Lisa Rios, a parent of a student with special needs, said it was “unacceptable” the number of times students have had to move schools and asked that the staff find another solution.
Proclamations Spotlight Deans, Black History Month The School Board on Tuesday approved a proclamation recognizing Linda Deans (Broad Run) as the first Black woman to serve on the Loudoun County School Board. Deans’ career in education has spanned three decades, according to the proclamation. She has served as Director of Education, Dean of Girls, Secondary School Counselor, Secondary School Principal, Deputy Superintendent, Director of Alternative Programs and Adjunct Professor. Wendell T. Fisher (At-large) was the first Black man elected to serve on the School Board. Additionally, the board approved a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month. Nationwide, February has been proclaimed Black History Month in observance of the struggle and triumph of Black Americans. Over 7% of enrolled students in the division are Black, and 6.4% of the division’s workforce are Black, according to the proclamation. And 97.8% of Black students graduated in 2023, compared to 97.6% of all students in 2023. The celebration of Black History changed from one week to a month in 1976, according to the proclamation. n
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
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Judge Yet to Rule on Ziegler Trial Motions BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com
Three weeks after attorneys for former Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Ziegler asked a Loudoun County Circuit Court judge to set aside the jury verdict convicting him of retaliation against a teacher, his fate remains unclear. On Feb. 5, Judge Douglas L. Fleming Jr. issued an order alerting attorneys that a scheduled three-day jury trial on an additional charge that Ziegler provided false information to be published will remain on the docket. Prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Office in December filed a
Enrollment shift continued from page 10 voted to allow 262 rising second graders the chance to stay at Hovatter for the 2024-2025 school year rather than have them attend Henrietta Lacks for one year then go back to Hovatter the next year. The students attended Pinebrook Elementary for kindergarten in 2022, then moved to first grade at Hovatter this year. Chief Operations Officer Kevin Lewis briefed the School Board on Jan. 30 about the error that would put Hovatter’s enrollment at 1,074 —114 students over capacity. “We were focused on the long-term plan and it was an oversight,” Lewis told the crowd Wednesday night. “I will say had I advised the board we would have had this very conversation back in December. So it is a problem that we have to solve no matter what. It’s not going to go away.” But parents, who said they were tired of having their kids moved around, urged administrators to find another option that would keep the students at Hovatter. Lisa Rios, a parent of a student with special needs, talked about what it has been like for her son to move so many times. “Kids like my son have special needs and it adds a whole other element to [change]. I have been fighting with the
motion to drop that charge, saying the commonwealth was “satisfied that justice has been done,” after securing the guilty verdict in September. Fleming has not yet ruled on either issue: whether to set aside the retaliation conviction and whether to approve the request to not prosecute the remaining charge. Erin Harrigan, Ziegler’s attorney said via email they did not plan to object to the prosecutor’s motion to dismiss the final charge. Ziegler was found guilty in September of retaliating against special education teacher Erin Brooks, a Class One misdemeanor. He was found not guilty of penalizing her for making a court appearance. Ziegler faces up to 12 months in jail
and up to a $2,500 fine on that charge. During the Jan. 18 sentencing hearing, Harrigan, argued to have the verdict set aside saying the General Assembly didn’t intend for there to be a crime associated with Ziegler’s alleged offense. She argued an additional element of the retaliation offense—that it was a knowing violation—needed to be introduce by the commonwealth’s attorney during the trial and that a specific additional instruction dealing with that requirement should have been given to the jury. Special Assistant to the Attorney General Brandon Wrobleski said the defense’s claim that the commonwealth failed to prove an element of the crime came too late—after the jury issued a verdict and after the defen-
dant agreed to the jury instruction. Fleming postponed sentencing, saying he wanted to take more time to read each of the attorney’s motions. As part of a special grand jury investigation into the school division’s sexual assault scandal, Ziegler was charged with false publication, prohibited conduct, and penalizing an employee for a court appearance. All are misdemeanors. The latter two charges are related to the firing of Brooks who, after reporting she was repeatedly groped by one of her students, filed two Title IX complaints, testified before the special grand jury, and spoke out at the School Board meeting on the night her termination was approved by the School Board. n
School Board to get Hovatter accessible for my son in a way it needs to be,” she said. She said not only is the playground not accessible, but her son doesn’t have a table in the cafeteria where he can sit at with his peers in his wheelchair, instead eating alone with his back to them. She said in every school he has attended she has had to check for accessibility like lower sinks and tables and an area where she can administer a daily medical procedure to him. “Even if everything was in its place the way it needed to be, it’s added work for us. At the beginning of the school year I come in with a checklist and I should only have to do it once, but I’ve had to do it at Pinebrook, at Hovatter, and I’ll have to do it again at Henrietta Lacks and it’s not acceptable,” she said. “And it’s not acceptable that he has to face the burden of a room full of adults learning to accommodate his needs and making sure things are accessible for him.” Priscila Benitez, one of a dozen parents at the meeting, brought multiple scenarios for the school division to consider, including postponing the December rezoning for one year, letting second graders stay and not giving rising fourth and fifth graders that option, and to wait for survey results from rising fourth and fifth graders impacted by the rezone to see how many wanted to change schools. She said the constant changes cause problems for the students and said it’s
frustrating that this group of students continues to be moved. Lewis said the staff knew it wouldn’t be a popular decision and said they looked at all kinds of scenarios to solve the problem, including options parents had suggested in emails. He said they looked at moving just art and music classes to Henrietta Lacks, but said students already don’t have enough time in those classes let alone extra time to walk back and forth between the two schools. He said they couldn’t delay the attendance zone boundary changes because of overcrowding in the other area schools and because the timeline required to do another rezoning would put them into June, giving family’s only two months’ notice. “Next year the problem goes away anyway,” he said, adding it’s a here and now problem. In regard to waiting for responses from rising fourth and fifth graders to see if it could lead to more room at Hovatter, Lewis said that typically less than half of the kids surveyed choose to stay at their home schools. He said even if all 127 decided not to change schools, Hovatter would still be short classrooms to accommodate the 226 rising second graders. So far, of 127 students who received the survey Feb. 6, 23 have responded. Twelve have said they will stay at their current school and 11 have said they plan to attend Hovatter.
Per School Board policy, first through third grade may only have 28 students per classroom with a teacher’s aide assigned to first grade classes over 25. The division typically tries to have average class sizes lower than the maximum class size. According to Lewis, Hovatter needs 12 classrooms to accommodate all the rising second graders, something he said it just doesn’t have. “There are no teacher aides floating around looking for a place to go,” Lewis said, adding that if Hovatter was left overcapacity every single class would be maxed out. “Think about the impacts on your students in a class that is overcrowded versus going across the parking lot to empty classrooms. The goal is to make sure students are impacted as little as possible. Being in an overcrowded classroom is a huge impact on a daily basis.” Lewis added that splitting the second-grade class and putting half in one school and half in the other would be an even worse solution. The School Board will consider options, including postponing the rezone, which staff does not recommend, Feb. 27. It was originally reported that the board would discuss the options on Feb. 13 but that date has been updated to the 27 so a public hearing could be held on the matter before it is brought back to the board, according to division spokesperson Dan Adams. n
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Anti-hazing bill continued from page 10 anti-hazing educational curriculum. She took her research-based curriculum and began presenting at high schools in both Loudoun County and surrounding jurisdictions during 2022. She said time and time again they were stunned to learn that the majority of the students they presented to didn’t know what hazing was. “We talked to 300 kids in a neighboring division and none of them had heard of it or had any education,” she said. “I thought, ‘we have to do something about this. If they don’t learn about it before college, how can we expect change?’” She said through her research she learned 1.5 million high school kids are hazed each year. “Why are we waiting to educate them?” she asked. She once again partnered with Boysko to expand the outreach. “For too long, hazing has been an accepted part of education, and that is just wrong,” Boysko said in a release. “By passing this bill, we are recognizing and acknowledging that hazing doesn’t start
PAGE 13
She said once it is law, the health and P.E. SOL will be revised to include the updated standards. “No one is going to teach it unless you make it part of the Standards of Learning and provide guidance,” she said. “February 27 will be three years since he passed and so I feel like every step taken since has been in honor of him but also making sure what happened never happens to anyone else in Virginia.” Five of the boys who were criminally charged in Adam’s death came from schools within Loudoun County, and four others at the event where he died had
at college. The program this bill starts will teach high school students to recognize and stop hazing when and where it happens.” “Education is a powerful tool in the fight against hazing. Through Senate Bill 379, we are not only honoring Adam’s memory but also taking proactive steps to prevent future tragedies. This legislation represents hope for a future where hazing has no place in our schools,” White said in a release. White said the bill requires an educational curriculum to become part of the Standards of Learning for high schoolers.
grown up in the county’s school system. The Love Like Adam anti-hazing presentations shown in high school show an 18-minute video of what happened to Oakes. During the video the audience is introduced to the five boys who were involved in his hazing. At the end there is a question-and-answer session where the boys stand up from various seats in the audience and come forward. The boys participate in the presentation as part of a plea deal to spread awareness, according to White. To learn more about Adam Oakes and Adam’s Law go to LoveLikeAdam.com. n
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Public Safety
Trial Set for Fatal Shooting in Designer Shoes Case; Murder Charge Dropped BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
A three-day jury trial is set to begin April 29 in the case of a fatal shooting over designer shoes that occurred in September 2023. Jacob McCormick on Monday was indicted by a Loudoun grand jury on charges of aggravated malicious wounding, wearing a mask in public, and a firearms violation. However, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office opted not to pursue an in-
dictment against another suspect in the case. Jaylin O’Brien had been charged with second-degree murder. According to witness testimony during a District Court preliminary hearing in December, Alex Cartagena had loaned O’Brien a pair of designer shoes and O’Brien had refused to give them back. On Sept. 1, Cartagena and McCormick went to the Stanford Square apartment complex in Sterling where O’Brien lived and, according to testimony, followed O’Brien and his brother Julius, to a car where three friends were waiting to
pick them up on their way to a party. Cartagena and McCormick confronted Jaylin O’Brien saying something similar to “those are my shoes,” according to testimony from one individual in the car. Cartagena and O’Brien allegedly exchanged gunfire before O’Brien and his brother entered the car and the group drove away. The shooting was reported just after 10:30 p.m. Sheriff ’s Office deputies arrived to find Cartagena, suffering from gunshot wounds. He died at the scene. The county prosecutors found that O’Brien acted in self-defense, according
to a motion filed Feb. 12 to withdraw the arrest warrant and drop the charges. “Because he was faced with a use of deadly force from [Cartagena] or the person with [Cartagena], [O’Brien’s] perception that he and his party were in immediate danger of death made [O’Brien’s] use of deadly force under these circumstances reasonable,” according to the motion. The motion also alleges that both Cartagena and McCormick approached O’Brien with visible weapons and that at least one of them fired at O’Brien first. n
SAFETY notes
Leesburg Police Department
A video still shows a suspect checking for unlocked doors in a vehicle parked in the driveway of a Leesburg home.
Thieves Take Handgun, Money from Unlocked Cars The Leesburg Police Department is investigating multiple thefts from vehicles and tampering incidents that occurred in the early morning hours Feb. 6 The department released surveillance video showing two men walking from home to home looking for unlocked cars. Detectives are investigating 26 reported incidents that occurred in the northeast quadrant of town. Items were taken from 14 vehicles, all of which appeared to be unlocked. Items that were taken include a handgun, money, a wallet, a purse, credit cards, and gift cards.
The thefts occurred on Artillery Terrace, Balls Bluff Road, Barksdale Drive, Bugle Court, Burt Court, Cambria Terrace, Chickasaw Place, Featherstone Lane, Haversack Court, Hunton Place, Keokuk Terrace, Shanks Evans Road, Stonefield Square, Tennessee Drive, and Woodbridge Court. The department urges residents to lock their vehicles, remove valuables, store firearms in a secure location inside a residence, and install security cameras with motion sensor lighting. Cases of suspicious activity or individuals loitering near parked vehicles should be reported to law enforcement immediately.
LPD Files More Charges Against Alleged Porch Pirate
Woman Charged with Swinging Sword at Officer
The Leesburg Police Department last week filed additional charges against a 44-year-old Ashburn woman who was arrested in November for taking packages that had been delivered to homes. According to the report, Brandi Lowry on Nov. 17, 2023, was seen on a home surveillance camera taking a package that had been dropped off on the porch of a Nivens Court home. It was reported that she was following a delivery truck in a white sedan. Leesburg Police officers conducted a traffic stop and found stolen packages and clothing inside her car. At that time, she was charged with petit larceny in two thefts. She was released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on an unsecured bond. Investigators later determined she was the suspect in three additional larcenies but were unable to find her to serve the warrants. While in court for a hearing Feb. 8, Lowry was arrested on the three additional charges and was taken to the county jail. She again was released on an unsecured bond. She is scheduled to appear in District Court on Feb. 15 for arraignment on the new charges and on March 7 for a trial on the initial charges
A 57-year-old Leesburg woman faces a host of new criminal charges after she allegedly swung a sword at a police officer last week. According to the Leesburg Police Department, officers were at an Edwards Ferry Road residence Feb. 8 to serve a warrant on Alexandra C. Hopkins. When officers encountered her, she swung a sword at one of them and fled into to home. Another person in the area reported that she also swung the sword at them. There were no injuries. Hopkins later was taken into custody without further incident. She was charged with assault on law enforcement, assault, and two counts of brandishing a weapon. She also was served with two warrants. Hopkins was held without bond at the Loudoun Adult Detention Center. In July 2023, Hopkins was charged with making false statements on a criminal history report a Class 5 felony. She did not appear in Loudoun County District Court for the Jan. 4 preliminary hearing in that case. A bench warrant was issued was issued for her arrest. She also faces charges of violating the terms of her pretrial release. n
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Nonprofit Volunteer Award Nominations Open Loudoun Cares is seeking nominations for its 2024 Outstanding Volunteer Awards through Feb. 29. The award program recognizes residents who make a difference in the lives of the people and nonprofits they serve in Loudoun County. “Nonprofits in Loudoun are serving more and more residents. Now more than ever they are relying on their volunteers to help accomplish their missions. Volunteers are an irreplaceable asset to our community” Executive Director Valerie Pisierra stated. The awards will cover 16 categories. Also, the Judy Hines Lifetime of Service Award will be presented to an individual who has served Loudoun County for more than 10 years. Nominations are open to any individual county resident, team of residents, or business/community organization that provided distinguished community service during 2023. For more information or to apply, visit loudouncares.org. n
The categories are: • Outstanding Public Safety Volunteer, adult, senior, & youth categories • Outstanding Individual Volunteer, adult, senior, & youth categories • Outstanding Volunteer Team, adult, senior & youth categories • Outstanding Community or Civic Organization • Outstanding Corporate Volunteer Team • Outstanding Volunteer Team • Outstanding Project • Outstanding Project Leader; • Outstanding Veteran Volunteer • Outstanding Nonprofit Board
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Business
BUSINESS notes
New Middleburg Bookstore Gives Back BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
agustin@loudounnow.com
Former school librarian Mary Beth Morell has spent most of her life either lost in a book or a bookstore. So, it was no surprise when she decided to retire as the librarian at Holy Trinity School in Georgetown that she would eventually find herself in a bookstore. She and her husband Michael were moving to Middleburg when a downtown bookstore went on the market. “A lightbulb went off, because I was not ready to retire, but I was a little tired of being in schools. I love it but needed a change,” Morell said. She said she tried to buy the bookstore, but for a variety of reasons, it just didn’t work out. Undeterred, she and Holy Trinity MIDDLEBURG BOOKS continues on page 17
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Middleburg Books owner Mary Beth Morell stands outside the shop on Feb. 9. The bookshop has been open for four months.
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Brooks to Lead John Marshall Bank in Leesburg M a r i e Brooks has joined John Marshall Bank as vice president and branch manager of its Loudoun Banking Center. Brooks She brings 18 years of experience to the position and most recently served as a vice president, branch manager for United Bank in Purcellville. Brooks graduated from the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management and is completing her degree in business administration. “We are very excited for Marie to join the JMB team and for the dynamic talent she brings to the Loudoun Region,” COO Kelly J. Bell stated. “The bank continues to bring on experienced bankers and market leaders as we develop our presence in Loudoun and the rest of the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area.” The Loudoun County branch office is located at 842 S. King St. in Leesburg.
Stouffer Promoted at JK Moving JK Moving Services has promoted Jackie Stouffer to vice president, International. She is taking over for Phil Wells, Stouffer who retired after leading the company through a period of rapid growth. “Jackie has been a valuable leader at JK Moving for many years, and we welcome her to this expanded role. Her leadership, creativity and understanding of our industry will ensure the continued success of this BUSINESS NOTES continues on page 17
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
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Middleburg books continued from page 16 librarian, friend and Middleburg Books co-founder Christina Duffy took a year to learn everything they could about the book business and running a book shop. “It’s kind of a tricky niche business so we spent a year trying to figure out how to do this and this space came open,” she said of the shop’s Madison Street location. The building, which dates back to 1750, was transformed from a hair salon to a floor-to-ceiling book-filled space with nooks and crannies for reading. What once was covered in ceiling tiles and track lighting, now reveals beams from the original structure and painted constellations surrounded by a large, circular light full of twinkle lights. Middleburg Books opened four months ago to a warm reception. “It’s been an extraordinary ride,” she said. “The community has just embraced us in a big bear hug and have been so welcoming to us.” She said, as librarians, they loved giving books to children and decided to do the same at their shop. Morell said they approached their founders and said if they would help with the funding to get their business off the ground, they promised to give 10% of that gift back to the Middleburg Community Charter School. Morell said around the holidays they wrote a check to the school as promised and then got a response from the school— they wanted to spend the money at Middleburg Books. All last week and this week, class after class from the charter school, which is just down the street, walked to the book shop and each student picked one book to go in their classroom library. Morell had visits from two kindergarten classes Feb. 9. After reading the students a book, she instructed them to pick from the plethora of books all around the room. They could choose one pic-
BUSINESS notes continued from page 16
growing division,” President David Cox stated. Stouffer, who worked with Wells for 12 years, will lead a global team of 35 that manages household goods shipments worldwide for international corporate and government accounts. At JK, she has held positions managing
Kristina Bouweri Family Foundation This family foundation makes grants to fulfill the philanthropic vision of its founder and her family.
A Community Foundation Fund in the Spotlight Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Kindergarteners from Middleburg Community Charter School listen to a story read by Middleburg Books owner Mary Beth Morell on Feb. 9
ture book or three National Geographic non-fiction books about animals. Morell enjoyed weaving her way through the students and pulling out books she recommended as little hands with excited faces eagerly grabbed at books. “Having kids from the charter school has really reminded me how much I loved my job,” she said. Recommending books is one her favorite things. She highly recommended a new book series called “City Spies” for kids aged 11-13. She also recommended a historical fiction book called “The Davenports” for older teens and “What the River Knows.” “This just brings together all the things that my husband and I wanted to do in retirement which is just keep great conversations going and build community and it’s just been so cool,” she said. The shop is located at 17 S. Madison St. in Middleburg. It offers a range of programs, including book subscriptions, annual memberships and special events like book clubs, author visits and story time. For more information go to middleburgbooks.com. n major accounts, and for the past two years, the day-to-day operation of the International Division in a director role. During her tenure, she introduced industry best practices to the division and ESG programs to the company. She is president of the FIDI 39 group, a leading industry association. Prior to JK Moving, she worked for the DC-based Security Storage Company coordinating shipments for accounts including the IMF and World Bank. n
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
AROUND towns
Towns
HAMILTON Dubin Resigns as Project Coordinator
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Community groups gathered at the Waterford Old School on Feb. 7 to formulate a strategy to oppose 500 kV power lines proposed to cut through western Loudoun.
Community Groups Unite to Oppose Power Lines BY HANNA PAMPALONI
hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
Over 35 representatives of county nonprofits, coalitions, councils, associations and preservation groups gathered at the Waterford Old School Feb. 7 to organize opposition to the 500 kV power line planned from West Virginia to Leesburg by NextEra Energy. Plans for the line, now known as the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link, first reached the community in late fall of 2023. Since
then, the Piedmont Environmental Council has hosted public information meetings in Hillsboro and Purcellville to inform residents of the power line. NextEra received approval for the line from PJM Interconnection’s Board of Managers Dec. 11 and is working to finalize a route to submit to the State Corporation Commission for final approval this year. Western Loudoun residents, in particular, have raised concerns over the impact the power lines—which could cross con-
servation easements, a national landmark and the county’s farms and wineries—will have on agritourism, the viewshed and the environment. The Feb. 7 meeting was hosted by the Waterford Foundation to develop an effective strategy, using each group’s strengths, to oppose the power line. “We’re trying to create a package of information that will be a compelling POWER LINES continues on page 19
Round Hill Begins Budget Work with Lower Tax Rate BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
As the Round Hill Town Council begins its fiscal year 2025 budget review, it is eyeing a lower real estate tax rate to offset increasing property values. Town Administrator Melissa Hynes presented a draft General Fund budget that totals $1.04 million—a $35,030, 3.4%, increase over the current budget. She recommended maintaining the current real estate tax rate of 69 cents per $100 of value during a meeting Feb. 7. Town Council members, however, signaled support for a lower 66-cent rate that
would keep tax bills level on average in light of the 5% increase in the town’s real estate values following the latest round of assessments. The lower rate would generate about $5,000 less in tax revenue, an amount council members said could be made up within the budget. Among the key drivers this year is an 8% increase in the trash collection contract to a total of $73,000. Also, Hynes plans a 3% COLA and 3% merit increase pool for employees. In Round Hill, the General Fund makes up a relativity small portion of the government’s operations. The management of the town’s 1,800-customer utility system is
the government’s primary function. Last year, the Town Council adopted a 15% utility rate hike, with plans to increase rates by 15% again this year. That plan was designed to meet funding needs for a series of major utility system improvement projects. Those include construction of a second 500,000-gallon water tank. The rate impact of that project could be offset by a proposal for the county government to allocate $3 million to help pay for the project. The council is expected to begin review of those costs when Haynes presents the Capital Improvements Plan at the next meeting. n
Town Project Coordinator Earl Dubin announced on Monday that he is resigning from the position and taking a new job beginning Wednesday. Dubin has worked with the town since 2022. During Monday night’s Town Council meeting, he said he will work both positions temporarily to help the town transition to a new project coordinator. The town began advertising for the position last week. “It’s been an honor, truly, working with you all,” Dubin told the council. “Thank you for all of your support and everything. I think we’ve done some good things.”
HILLSBORO Hoedown Set for Saturday The town’s first hoedown is planned for Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Old Stone School. The night will include dancing to fiddle music from the band Stay All Night, led by caller Bill Wellington. Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase from Uncle Fred’s BBQ Food Truck, Old 690 Brewing Company, Two Twisted Posts Winery and Walsh Family Wine. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for teens. Children 12 and under are free.
MIDDLEBURG Council Prepares for Budget Work Town Manager Danny Davis last week provided a preliminary budget outlook to the Town Council. Overall, real estate values in town increased by 10.31% over the past year, fueled by $18 million in new construction—mostly homes in the Salamander neighborhood. Excluding new construction, property valued increased 6.35% during the reassessment process. The council briefly discussed how AROUND TOWNS continues on page 19
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Lovettsville Council Begins Budget Work Sessions
The proposed FY2025 budget includes a 3% rate increase, equivalent to about $39,000 in revenue, for the town and an additional $2.93 per average household per month. “Ninety-seven percent of our [Capital Improvement Program] is [American Rescue Plan Act] funded,” Cournoyer said. “This is the funding that is sunsetting at the end of the year, so there’s going to be a real ramp up here as we’re trying to complete, or at least incurring, all these costs by that deadline.” That 97% makes up seven of the 10 projects in the town’s 2025-2029 CIP including a water main replacement, water main improvements, wastewater treatment plant upgrades, Utilities Fund cap-
ital assets replacements, Park Place Water Plant rehabilitations, utilities facilities workplace safety initiatives, and water treatment plant upgrades. Those projects total $945,000. The proposed budget includes a personnel funding increase of $34,000, or 7%, over FY2024 for salary and budget adjustments and the addition of $3,000 for supplemental uniform items. The overall budget includes a 2% costof-living adjustment and a 3.5% merit raise. Mayor Christopher Hornbaker asked if the move from a part-time public works coordinator to a full-time one would decrease the budget allocation for outside contractors such as landscapers and snowplows. Cournoyer said it would, but that it would likely take a year to see that cost reallocation in the budget because of length of the contracts with town contractors. “That funding will be saved on a contractual basis once that person is onboarded and fully functioning in that role. That’s not going to necessarily be day one,” he said. He said it would be a timing issue of hiring someone and equipping them before contracts needed to be renewed, which run in alignment with the town’s fiscal year. “I would caution making arbitrary savings now, not knowing what we can do and what capital investments we have to make,” Cournoyer said. The council will hold its second budget work session Thursday, Feb. 15. n
keeping rural Loudoun rural,” he said. Loudoun Wineries and Winegrowers Association representative Bill Hatch agreed, adding that according to a report published in 2021, tourism in the county reached $4 billion. “Wineries are a way to hold onto agricultural open space and so I fully advocate it. But we do depend on people to come out and buy wine and we don’t really want to see … towers four times as tall as the county office building,” he said. Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains Executive Director Larry Malone said it would be important to craft an argument rooted in data and the practical impact of the power lines. Scenic Loudoun Legal Defense representative Tom Donahue agreed. He said ultimately the line would likely be decided in court, which would be expensive.
Scenic Loudoun Legal Defense worked in 2005 and 2008 to have previously proposed 230 kV lines moved and some buried underground, Donahue said. “It’s going to come down to, ‘do we need this power line or not?” And we’re going to have to put together an argument that, no, we do not,” he said. The group agreed that united messaging was important to reach as many county residents in an effective manner as they could and that they needed to think about alternative ways to supply power to the county’s data centers. “There’s a technology argument There’s a power need argument. There’s an economic argument. There is a history and development argument,” Donahue said. “We need to have all of those arguments. We need data to support all of those arguments. It has to be data.” n
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
The Lovettsville Town Council on Thursday held the first of four budget work sessions for fiscal year 2025, with this week’s session focus on the Utilities Fund. In January, Town Manager Jason Cournoyer presented a $6.3 million budget to the council with $2.76 million dedicated to utilities. That is approximately a 7% increase over FY2024. Cournoyer said the proposed budget included the addition of a full-time public works coordinator as he anticipates the retirement of Public Works Coordinator Henry Pearson, who is a parttime employee, this year. “It is kind of expanding some of the roles and some of the things that are outsourced now that the intent, especially after the first year, is to kind of bring those in-house to be done by the public works coordinators,” Cournoyer said. He said $50,000 would be funded by the General Fund and approximately $25,000 from the Utilities Fund. “What I’m envisioning is about a 30% cost share with the Utilities Fund with a lot of supplementing of utility staff particularly in maintenance,” he said. Cournoyer said a full-time coordinator could provide additional town services such as landscaping and security enhancements and help the town be less reliant on Purcellville when utility emergencies occur.
Power lines continued from page 18 story about the level of opposition and the reasoning of our opposition,” Waterford Foundation President Sue Manch said. “That’s a really critical point here. We’re not just saying, ‘oh, we don’t like it because it’s not pretty and it’s not serving us,’ and all those things. We have to say, ‘these are the things that it is going to do to this land. And these are the key impacts that we want you to be aware of.’” Taylorstown Community Association representative Jonathan Tourtellot said that showing the impact the line would have on tourism is important. “It is obvious that the power line would not be good for tourism, and tourism is one of our best political arguments for
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Lovettsville Mayor Christopher Hornbaker speaks during the Feb. 8 budget work session.
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AROUND towns continued from page 18
to accommodate the value changes with the real estate tax rate, with support for continuing a strategy of adopting an equalized tax rate—one that would keep tax bills level on average—with a 3% inflation escalator. That approach would reduce the real estate tax rate from 12.76 cents to 12.36 cents, resulting in a $21 increase in the annual tax bill for the average single family detached home. Unlike other towns, real estate taxes don’t make up a large part of Middleburg’s revenue. However, Davis highlighted that the town’s two biggest sources—the meals tax and the transient occupancy tax—are showing signs of plateauing. Meals tax revenue increased by 2.4% last year, to $1.3 million. The tax on hotel stays declined 5.31%, to $1.24 million. Davis is scheduled to present his FY2025 budget recommendations on Feb. 22.
Semmes Returns to Middleburg Former town administrator Martha Mason Semmes is returning to service in Middleburg, this time as interim zoning administrator. The Town Council approved the hiring last week. She’ll step into the position during a period when Deputy Town Manager William Moore, who carries out the zoning duties, will be out on extended leave. She’ll be a part-time contractor at a cost of approximately $1,000 per week.
PURCELLVILLE Geologist Stone Joins for Nature Walk Virginia Master Naturalist program geology instructor Karen Stone will lead the Chapman DeMary Trail monthly nature walk held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25. Stone will have samples of rocks found in Loudoun County. The walk is co-hosted by the Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee and is free and open to the public. Register online at purcellvilleva.gov. The entrance and parking for the Chapman DeMary Trail is behind the building at 205 E. Hirst Road. n
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GET OUT
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
LIVE MUSIC MATT BURRIDGE 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 1608 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. plazaazteca.com/leesburg KRISTA O’CONNELL/JULIET LLOYD 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 Leesburg Listening Room. $30. facebook.com/leesburg.movement SCOTT KURT 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com TAYLOR SHEPPARD 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com SHANE GAMBLE 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 Little River Turnpike, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com CARY WIMBISH 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com WILL SHEPARD 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com WAYNE SNOW 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com ROB HOEY 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com MORRIS & MORRIS 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com MARK DUNN 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com
LIVE MUSIC continues on page 23
Former U.S. Senator John Warner and his wife Elizabeth Taylor meet with a young rider and a volunteer from the riding center at their home before the 1977 fundraiser to benefit what became known as Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center.
Fashion, Film and Fame:
Celebrating 50 Years of Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center BY ALEXIS GUSTIN
agustin@loudounnow.com
Fifty years ago, Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center launched as the original pilot program for therapeutic riding in Virginia. Created by 4-H leader Barbara Baird and Leonard Warner, a School Board member, the nonprofit helps adults and children with physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges by helping them build self-confidence, self-discipline, strength, mobility and coordination by using the “healing power of horses,” according to its website. To celebrate its past 50 years and to
keep the center going into its next 50 years, the center is hosting a red carpet fashion show fundraiser Saturday with a showing of the movie “National Velvet.” “This is a new event for us—a new event and an old event at the same time,” Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center Executive Director Laura Smith said. It’s new and old because in 1977, Hollywood actress and star of the film “National Velvet” Elizabeth Taylor hosted a special showing of the film at the Middleburg Community Center to benefit the riding center, which was called at the time the Loudoun 4-H Clubs Riding for the Handicapped Foundation. Taylor lived near Middleburg with her husband
U.S. Senator John Warner. Smith said as she recently took the reins of the center she began learning more about its history and came upon some old newspaper clippings of the event hosted by Taylor. She thought it would be a great way to tie the past with the future by hosting a special showing of the film as part of a fundraiser. “The fun part that didn’t happen 50 years ago is the fashion show,” Smith said. “Our thinking is Elizabeth Taylor won an Oscar for her role in the movie and we thought about the red carpet and
FASHION, FILM, FAME continues on page 22
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Visit Middleburg
Middleburg retailers hold their annual Winter Weekend Sale Friday through Monday.
Middleburg Hosts Annual Winter Weekend Sale The Town of Middleburg and its Business and Professional Association is hosting their 13th annual Winter Weekend Sale Feb. 16-19. Many of the shops in the town will have discounts on items from shoes to children’s clothes to fall and winter fashions, as well as specials in some of the restaurants. White and blue balloons will be located outside participating venues. The sale will be held Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday and Monday as posted by shops. Also, the National Sporting Library & Museum on The Plains Road will host a duplicate book sale Thursday through Saturday. Go to facebook.com/MiddleburgBusiness for event updates or for additional information. n
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Fashion, Film, Fame continued from page 20 walking it and said ‘why not have a fashion show?’ There is no one more glamorous than Elizabeth Taylor.” The event will kick off with a reception at 5 p.m. that includes a silent auction, food and beverages and mingling. The fashion show, which will highlight selections from Middleburg merchants, will feature models from the center’s staff, local horse riders and some celebrity guests wearing the clothing of sponsors like Lucky Knot, Zest, LuLu, High Cliff and Lost Barrel Brewing’s Found. Former Miss Virginia, Victoria Chuah and her brother, Luke, who rides at the center, will also participate. The movie will be shown after the fashion show. Chuah, who won the title of Miss Virginia in 2022, highlighted services for adults on the autism spectrum for her platform and partnered with the center. She said Luke inspired her to highlight programs for adults. She said Luke looks forward to his weekly rides at the center and said it’s amazing to see how calm the horse is for Luke and how that affects him. “I think he also feels very independent. There is not a lot of times that he is able to control something, so being on a horse he gets to be in control which is very fun for him while learning at the same time,” she said adding he has a buddy that helps him with the horse. “So many people come out of their shells when they work with a horse,” she said. Chuah, who just walked in the New York City Fashion Show in September, said she’s excited to participate in this fashion show with Luke to raise money for the center. “I think it’s so important for the community to come together and support all of the members of the community,” she said. Baird’s daughter, Carol Taylor, attended the original event in 1977. She said everyone was in awe that Taylor and Warner would come and support the young nonprofit at the time. She said it showed Taylor’s compassion. “I remember meeting her before the event at their farm. We took one of the ponies and one of the kids who was riding with us and introduced her to them,” Taylor said. “She was just so very kind and gentle.” Taylor said she was struck by Taylor’s beautiful violet eyes and said she exuded gentleness. She said she was among several participants who gave her a gift, including a T-shirt that had the center’s logo on it.
Former U.S. Senator John Warner and Elizabeth Taylor at the Oct. 1977 showing of “National Velvet,” to benefit what became known as Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center.
Former U.S. Senator John Warner and Elizabeth Taylor greet guests at the Oct. 1977 showing of “National Velvet” to benefit what became known as Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center.
She said Taylor made a comment about how she was going to wear the T-shirt around the fancy town of Middleburg. Carol Taylor said the program offered at the center is like no other and said her mom, who died 10 years ago, is looking down from heaven in awe at where the program is today. “She did this because she is just a giving person. She saw a need and made it happen. My mom could make things happen, she was a mover and a shaker.
She made it happen and it’s still going strong today,” she said. Smith said the center relies on donations and said 81% of its budget comes from fundraising. “It’s been this way for 50 years. We’ve relied on the support of the community since our inception. We couldn’t have made it this long without them,” she said. The event costs $50 per person and includes access to the fashion show and showing of the movie.
“It’s going to be a very historic event and a great way to spend a Saturday night,” Chuah said. The center offers a variety of therapeutic programs including hippotherapy—a licensed therapy program that uses occupational therapy and physical therapy as well as speech-language pathology to help with autism and cerebral palsy and other developmental disorders—therapeutic riding, carriage driving, Silver Spurs—a program that partners with senior assisted living centers and memory care facilities to help improve fine motor function, memories and helps with social interaction for the older population and Equine Services for Heroes, a program for veterans—all free of charge for the person needing care. It was one of the first centers in the United States to earn accreditation from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, later named the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International or PATH and is only one of two accredited in Loudoun County. The center has helped other therapeutic riding groups get up and running and plays a large role in the lives and families of over 350 children and adults who receive therapy from the center, with veterans with PTSD among their fastest growing group. For more information on the event, go to ltrf.org. n
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GET OUT LIVE MUSIC
continued from page 20 JAZZ: SPIRITUALITY IN A MINOR KEY 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 37018 Glendale St. Purcellville stpetes.net CARBON LEAF 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $39 to $85. tallyhotheater.com SIDEPIECE 8 to midnight Friday, Feb. 16 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com ROWDY ACRES 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com CHRIS ELLINGHAUS 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Taylorstown. creeksedgewinery.com PETE LAPP 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane,
Best Bets
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
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SALSA NIGHT Friday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m. Ion International Training Center ionarena.com
PO’ RAMBLIN’ BOYS Saturday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. Lucketts Community Center luckettsbluegrass.org
GRATEFUL DUB Wednesday, Feb. 21, 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com
Shake off those winter blues and heat up the dance floor. Lu’s Bar and Grill at ION International Training Center presents Salsa Night featuring beats from DJ Fern that will keep you grooving all night long.
From their start as the house band at the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery in Gatlinburg, TN, the C.J. Lewandoski-led band was named IBMA’s Emerging Artist in 2018 and earned a Grammy nomination for their 2020 record “Toil, Tears & Trouble.”
Award-winning “favorites of the jam” band festival circuit, Roots of Creation brings their reggae-dub style tribute to the Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead to the Leesburg stage.
Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com LAURA CASHMAN 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillsvineyard.com SHANE GAMBLE 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 Little River Turnpike, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com
ADRIEL GENET 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 50 West Vineyards, 39060 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. 50westvineyards.com TRAVIS TUCKER 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com CONNOR DALY 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17
Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 Little River Turnpike, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com LENNY BURRIDGE 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com WAYNE SNOW 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com
DAVID THONG 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. fireflycellars.com JASON MASI 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com
KEN WENZEL 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com ZACH JONES 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com
LIVE MUSIC continues on page 24
A Hometown Fine Arts & Crafts Show
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GET OUT LIVE MUSIC
continued from page 23 ROBERT MABE BAND 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com DAVID GOODRUM 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com MELISSA QUINN FOX 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 WineStyles, 25031 Riding Plaza #110, Chantilly. winestyles.com STRANGELOVE: THE DEPECHE MODE EXPERIENCE 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $25 to $50. tallyhotheater.com PO’ RAMBLIN’ BOYS 7 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Lucketts. $25 luckettsbluegrass.org VERONNEAU 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Studio Muse, 23035 Douglas Court Suite 210, Sterling. studiomusemusic.com ROYAL HONEY BAND 8 to 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com LOUDOUN JAZZ JAM! 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 The Dell, 1602 Village Market Blvd. SE., Leesburg. atthedell.com JASON MASI 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 Little River Turnpike, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com NICK ANDREW STAVER 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 Casanel Vineyards and Winery, 17956 Canby Road, Leesburg. casanelvineyards.com JOSH SOWDER 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com HUBIE G FROM THE CORNER VAGABONDS 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 Little River Turnpike, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com TODD BROOKS 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 50 West Vineyards, 39060 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. 50westvienyards.com
CHRIS HANKS 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com MARK CULLINANE 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com FREDDIE LONG 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com JAKE PHILLIPS 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com SCOTT KURT 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com MATT BURRIDGE 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 Fabbioli Cellars, 15669 Limestone School Road, Leesburg. fabbiolicellars.com MELISSA QUINN FOX 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19 50 West Vineyards, 39060 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. 50westvineyards.com JOHN 5 8 to 11 p.m., Monday, Feb. 19 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. tallyhotheater.com SCOTT KURT 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 Lost Rhino Brewing Co, 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn. lostrhino.com JASON MASI 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn. lostfoxhideaway.com DAMON BUXTON 7 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville. franklinparkartscenter.com GRATEFUL DUB 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St. SW., Leesburg. $20 to $60. tallyhotheater.com RICH RIDGELL 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com TEJAS SINGH 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com
HOLLY MONTGOMERY 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 1608 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. plazaazteca.com/leesburg CREED FISHER 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $25 to $55. tallyhotheater.com
HAPPENINGS SALSA NIGHT 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 Ion International Training Center, 19201 Compass Creek Parkway, Leesburg. ionarena.com YOUNG BIRDERS WALK 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Algonkian Regional Park, 47001 Fairway Drive, Sterling. loudounwildlife.org LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Leesburg Premium Outlets, 241 Fort Evans Road NE., Leesburg. premiumoutlets.com/outlet/ leesburg DIRT DON’T BURN AUTHOR TALK 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Goose Creek Friends Meeting, 18204 Lincoln Road, Purcellville. goosecreekfriends.org RED CARPET RECEPTION FOR “NATIONAL VELVET” 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 Middleburg Community Center, 300 W. Washington St., Middleburg. $50, ltrf.org DONUT SUNDAY 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 St. Theresa Church, 21370 St. Theresa Lane, Ashburn. sainttheresaparish.com SIP AND PAINT 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville. $40. twotwistedposts.com HSLC ADOPTION EVENT 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 PetSmart, 24570 Dulles Landing Drive, Dulles. humaneloudoun.org MASQUERADE BALL 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 Tribute at One Loudoun, 20335 Savin Hill Drive, Ashburn. cogirusa.com TUCK EVERLASTING 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 Freedom High School, 25450 Riding Center Drive, Chantilly. $10. freedomtheatreboosters.org WILDFLOWERS: PLANTING A WOODLAND EDGE 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 Loudoun County loudounwildlife.org
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Legal Notices TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AMENDMENT TO TOWN CODE SECTION 18-72- RECORDKEEPING AND AUDIT Pursuant to Sections 15.2-107, 15.2-1427, and 58.1-3840 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, the LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 6:30pm in the Town Council Chamber, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia at which time the public shall have the right to provide written and oral comments on the following amendment to the Lovettsville Town Code Section 18-72 allowing for electronic transmission of records Proposed amendments are as follows: Sec 18-72 Recordkeeping And Audits Every person who is assessable with a local license tax shall keep sufficient records to enable the assessor to verify the correctness of the tax paid for the license years assessable and to enable the assessor to ascertain what is the correct amount of tax that was assessable for each of those years. All such records, books of accounts and other information shall be open to inspection and examination by the assessor in order to allow the assessor to establish whether a particular receipt is directly attributable to the taxable privilege exercised within this jurisdiction. The assessor may request records be electronically transmitted, but shall provide the taxpayer with the option to conduct the audit in the taxpayer's local business office, if the records are maintained there. In the event the records are maintained outside this jurisdiction, copies of the appropriate books and records shall be sent to the assessor's office upon demand. All persons desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting. Written copies of statements are requested but not required. Copies of the proposed Town Code amendment are available on the Town website and are available for review at the Town Hall between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. Call 540-822-5788 for more information or visit www.lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is cancelled, the public hearing will be convened at the next regular scheduled meeting at the same time and place. 2/8, 2/15/24
TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE The Town of Lovettsville proposes to increase property tax levies. 1.
Assessment Increase: Total assessed value of real property, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property, exceeds last year’s total assessed value of real property by 4.74 percent.
2.
Lowered Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate with the exclusions mentioned above, would be $0.1475 per $100 of assessed value. This rate will be known as the “lowered tax rate” or “equalized tax rate.”
3.
Effective Rate Increase: The Town of Lovettsville proposes to adopt a tax rate of $0.1625 per $100 of assessed value. The difference between the equalized tax rate and the proposed rate would be $0.015 per $100, or 9.2 percent. This difference will be known as the “effective tax rate increase.” Individual property taxes may, however, increase at a percentage greater than or less than the above percentage, depending upon the type of dwelling and individual property assessments.
4.
Proposed Total Budget Increase: Based on the proposed real property tax rate and changes in other revenues, the total General Fund budget of the Town of Lovettsville will exceed last year’s by 12.7 percent.
The Town Manager’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget is based on a real property tax rate of $0.1525 per $100 assessed value. A public hearing on the proposed real property effective tax rate increase will be held by the LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, VA 20180, at which time all persons desiring to speak or provided written comments will be given an opportunity to do so on the proposed real property effective tax rate. If the public hearing is canceled for any unforeseen reason, the public hearing will be held during the next Town Council regular business meeting. 2/15/24
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
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Legal Notices NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING COUNTY OF LOUDOUN, VIRGINIA Proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025 Proposed Tax Rates for Tax Year 2024 Pursuant to Section 15.2-2506 and Section 58.1-3007 of the Code of Virginia, the County of Loudoun, Virginia (the “County”), gives notice of its proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025 (the FY 2025 Proposed Budget); and the proposed tax rates on real and personal property for Tax Year 2024, beginning January 1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2024. The budget is prepared and published for informative and fiscal planning purposes only. The inclusion in the budget of any item or items does not constitute any obligation or commitment on the part of the Board of Supervisors of the County to appropriate any funds for that item or purpose. There is no allocation or designation of any funds of the County for any purpose until there has been an appropriation for that purpose by the Board of Supervisors. The estimated local contribution for the school budget is $1,287,127,376. This is the local tax revenue proposed for the Loudoun County Public Schools to fund its Fiscal Year 2025 budget for public schools, as compared to the estimated minimum contribution required by state law in the amount of $453,787,086. Three public hearings on the proposed budget and the proposed tax rates will be held by the Board of Supervisors in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.; and Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Any member of the public may address the Board of Supervisors on these matters; however, each member of the public wishing to address the Board may speak at only one of the sessions. The Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room is located in the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, SE, Leesburg, Virginia. Copies of the FY 2025 Proposed Budget may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The FY 2025 Proposed Budget is also available online at www.loudoun.gov/budget. Board of Supervisors’ public hearings are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40. Public hearings also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings. Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views regarding the FY 2025 Proposed Budget. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the public hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will begin at 8:30 a.m. on February 15, 2024. Advanced sign-ups will close at 12:00 p.m. on February 28, 2024, for the two sessions held on February 28, 2024; advanced sign-ups will close at 5:00 p.m. on March 1, 2024, for the session held on March 2, 2024. Written comments are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Board of Supervisors, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, Virginia 20177 or by e-mail to loudounbudget@loudoun.gov. If submitting written comments, information, or materials at the hearing, 10 copies should be provided for distribution to the Board members and for the Clerk’s records. The following is a brief synopsis of the budget: Proposed Appropriations Category
FY 2025 Proposed Expenditures
FY 2025 Proposed Revenue
FY 2025 Proposed Local Tax Funding
FY 2024 Adopted Local Tax Funding
Local Tax Funding Variance
OPERATING County General Fund
$988,855,048.93
$275,603,707.45
$713,251,341.48
$587,643,894.00
$125,607,447.48
School Operating Fund
1,824,777,892
537,650,516.00
1,287,127,376
1,139,827,376.00
147,300,000.00
School Grant Fund
35,071,745.00
35,071,745.00
0
0
0
School Lease Purchase Fund
10,002,000.00
10,002,000.00
0
0
0
School Nutrition Fund
42,637,655.00
42,637,655.00
0
0
0
Children’s Services Act Fund
10,331,436.00
6,641,369.00
3,690,067.00
3,690,067.00
0
500,000.00
500,000.00
0
0
0
Disposable Plastic Bag Tax Fund Dulles Town Center CDA Fund
3,500,000.00
3,500,000.00
0
0
0
EMS Transport Program Fund
7,300,000.00
7,300,000.00
0
0
0
Housing Fund
12,410,000.00
5,000,000.00
7,410,000.00
6,469,000.00
941,000.00
163,004.00
44,980.00
118,024.00
83,448.00
34,576.00
3,594,262.71
3,594,262.71
0
0
0
180,867.00
180,867.00
0
0
0
Legal Resource Center Fund Metro Garages Fund Opioid Abatement Settlement Fund Other Special Revenue Funds Rental Assistance Program Fund
91,000.00
91,000.00
0
0
0
12,801,320.00
12,528,930.00
272,390.00
272,390.00
0 0
Restricted Use Transient Occupancy Tax
4,790,000.00
4,790,000.00
0
0
Self-Insurance Fund
5,455,700.00
0.00
5,455,700.00
5,455,700.00
0
State and Federal Grant Fund
4,323,125.00
4,323,125.00
0
0
0
$2,966,785,055.64
$949,460,157.16
$2,017,324,898.48
$1,743,441,875.00
$273,883,023.48
County Government
$116,838,623.29
$31,628,066.67
$85,210,556.62
$76,503,015.00
$8,707,541.62
School System
154,469,583.05
5,865,010.17
148,604,572.88
138,705,544.00
9,899,028.88
Operating Subtotal DEBT SERVICE
Greenlea Tax District Fund Route 28 Special Improvements Fund Tall Oaks Water and Sewer Special Revenue Fund Debt Service Subtotal
44,038.00
44,038.00
0
0
0
25,740,000.00
25,740,000.00
0
0
0
60,572.00
60,572.00
0
0
0
$297,152,816.34
$63,337,686.84
$233,815,129.50
$215,208,559.00
$18,606,570.50
Continued on next page
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Legal Notices CAPITAL County Government Capital Projects Fund
$439,408,759.41
$340,057,397.41
$99,351,62.00
92,604,356.00
County Asset Preservation Program Fund
20,000,000.00
100,000.00
19,900,000.00
19,767,825.00
132,175.00
School System Capital Projects Fund
513,860,000.00
509,857,000.00
4,003,000.00
2,864,923.00
1,138,077.00
School System Asset Preservation Fund
47,790,000.00
0
47,790,000.00
43,216,000.00
4,574,000.00
Capital Projects Financing Fund
718,618,195.70
718,618,195.70
0
0
0
1,520,160.00
0
1,520,160.00
1,520,160.00
0
Major Equipment Replacement Fund
$6,747,006.00
Public Facilities Fund
14,933,645.71
14,933,645.71
0
0
0
Transportation District Fund
154,603,079.09
124,603,079.09
30,000,000.00
25,900,000.00
4,100,000.00
$1,910,733,839.91
$1,708,169,317.91
$202,564,522.00
$185,873,264.00
$16,691,258.00
$0
$0
$0
$150,702
($150,702)
$5,174,671,711.89
$2,720,967,161.91
$2,453,704,549.98
$2,144,674,400.00
$309,030,149.98
Capital Subtotal Unallocated Balance TOTAL PROPOSED APPROPRIATIONS
SUMMARY OF PROPERTY TAX RATES Pursuant to Va. Code § 58.1-3007, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of the proposed increase or other change in certain local property tax rates for Tax Year 2024 as indicated below: Adopted Tax Year 2023
Maximum Proposed Tax Year 2024
All Real Estate (including mobile homes used as residences); and Public Service Corporation Real Estate & Tangible Personal Property (except automobiles, trucks & aircraft) (Va. Code § 58.1-2606)
$0.875
$0.885
Commercial and Industrial Real Estate in Route 28 Highway Transportation Improvement District (Va. Code § 15.2-4607); and Public Service Corporation Real Estate &Tangible Personal Property in the district, except automobiles, trucks & aircraft, (in addition to the general rate applicable to all real estate in the County and the rate for any other service district where the property is located, if applicable)
$0.160
$0.160
Real Estate in the Hamilton Sewer Service District (in addition to the general rate applicable to all real estate in the County and the rate for any other tax district where the real estate is located, if applicable)
$0.000
$0.000
Real Estate in the Metrorail Service District; and Public Service Corporation Real Estate & Tangible Personal Property in the district, except automobiles, trucks & aircraft (in addition to the general rate applicable to all real estate in the County and the rate for any other service district where the property is located, if applicable)
$0.200
$0.200
Real Estate in the Loudoun Gateway-Airport Station Service District; and Public Service Corporation Real Estate & Tangible Personal Property in the district, except automobiles, trucks & aircraft (in addition to the general rate applicable to all real estate in the County and the rate for any other service district where the property is located, if applicable)
$0.000
$0.000
Real Estate in the Ashburn Station Service District; and Public Service Corporation Real Estate & Tangible Personal Property in the district, except automobiles, trucks & aircraft (in addition to the general rate applicable to all real estate in the County and the rate for any other service district where the property is located, if applicable)
$0.000
$0.000
Tangible Personal Property (to include all categories of tangible personal property unless the category and rate is set out separately in this notice), including automobiles and trucks of Public Service Corporations (Va. Code § 58.1-2606 (B))
$4.15
$4.150
Tangible Personal Property Used in a Research and Development Business (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(7)); and Machinery and Tools (Va. Code §§ 58.1-3507 et seq.)
$2.750
$2.750
Tangible Personal Property – Motor Vehicles of Eligible Elderly and Disabled (Va. Code § 58.1-3506.1; Chapter 873 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County)
$2.100
$2.100
Tangible Personal Property – Eligible Motor Vehicle of a Qualified Permanently Disabled Veteran (Va. Code § 58.1-3506(A)(19))
$0.000
$0.000
Tangible Personal Property – Aircraft and Flight Simulators (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A) (5)), including aircraft of Public Service Corporations (Va. Code § 58.1-2606 (B))
$0.010
$0.010
Tangible Personal Property – Heavy Construction Machinery (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(8))
$4.000
$4.000
Tangible Personal Property – Motor Vehicles specially equipped to provide transportation for physically handicapped individuals (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(14))
$0.010
$0.010
Tangible Personal Property – Eligible Motor Vehicles of Fire and Rescue Volunteers and Auxiliary Members and Auxiliary Deputy Sheriffs (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A) (15), (16) & (32))
$0.010
$0.010
Tangible Personal Property – Satellite Manufacturing, Testing and Operating Equipment within Route 28 Highway Transportation Improvement District (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A) (21))
$0.010
$0.010
Tangible Personal Property – Furniture, Office and Maintenance Equipment (except motor vehicles) owned and used by Homeowners Associations (Va. Code § 58.13506 (A)(24))
$0.010
$0.010
Tangible Personal Property – Motor Vehicles, Trailers and Semi-trailers of Interstate Motor Carriers (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(25))
$2.750
$2.750
Tangible Personal Property – Qualifying Wireless Broadband Equipment (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(37))
$2.100
$2.100
Tangible Personal Property – Four-wheeled, low-speed vehicles (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(38))
$0.010
$0.010
Tangible Personal Property – Motor Vehicles Powered Solely by Electricity (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(40))
$4.150
$4.150
Tangible Personal Property – Motor Vehicles of Uniformed Members of the Virginia Defense Force (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(44))
$0.010
$0.010
Wild or Exotic Animals kept for public exhibition and properly licensed by the federal government and/or the Commonwealth (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(23))
$0.010
$0.010
Type of Taxable Property
Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200/TTY-711. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. BY ORDER OF:
PHYLLIS RANDALL, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
2/15 & 2/22/24
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
PAGE 27
Legal Notices ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:
JJ048585-01-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Carlton Platt Loudoun County Department of Family Services
The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-252 for Carlton Platt; and hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-278.2 and 16.1-281 for Carlton Platt. It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Sabrina Whitney, mother and Brooks Platt, father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before February 21, 2024 at 3:00pm (Adjudicatory); and March 18, 2024 at 10:00am (Dispositional) 2/15, 2/22, 2/29 & 3/7/24
Loudoun County Begins the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Loudoun County is scheduled to launch the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative at 8:30 a.m., Friday, March 1, 2024, with the opening of a targeted waitlist for the county’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program strictly serving eligible youth who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. The Foster Youth to Independence Initiative is a special purpose voucher funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to expand the availability of housing assistance to young adults with a history of foster care. The program pays a portion of participants’ monthly rent based on household income for a period of up to 36 months. After this time period, the participant may receive continued assistance under the general Housing Choice Voucher program, depending on budget availability and continued participant eligibility. The Foster Youth to Independence Initiative is a collaborative effort of the Loudoun County Department of Family Services – to assess eligibility of applicants, and the Loudoun County Department of Housing & Community Development – to allocate vouchers to eligible applicants.
Waitlist Eligibility All applicants for vouchers under the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative must work with the Loudoun County Department of Family Services to determine their eligibility for the HCV waitlist. The population eligible for assistance under this program are young adults meeting the following conditions: 1. Are between the ages of 18 and 24. 2. Have left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act. 3. Are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older as these terms are defined at 24 CFR 578.3 and 24 CFR 576.2. 4. Meet general HCV eligibility criteria as outlined in the HCV Administrative Plan found at loudoun.gov/hcv. Eligibility is not limited to single persons. For example, young adults who are parents are eligible to receive assistance if they otherwise meet eligibility requirements.
Vouchers are Limited All eligible applicants will be placed on the HCV waitlist in order of date and time the referral and application are received. Vouchers are limited by federal funding (HUD allows a public housing agency to issue no more than 25 vouchers within a federal fiscal year); being added to the waitlist does not guarantee receipt of a voucher.
How to Apply Individuals interested in participating in the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative must begin by contacting the Loudoun County Department of Family Services at 703-737-8824. Anyone who requires a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability or needs language assistance in order to participate in this process, may call 703-737-8323/TTY-711. Advance notice is requested.
For More Information For more information about the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative and the Housing Choice Voucher Program, call 703-737-8213, email hcv@loudoun.gov or visit loudoun.gov/hcv. 2/15/24
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § §1-211.1; 8.01-3 16, -317, 20-104 Case No. CL24-252
LOUDOUN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT 18 EAST MARKET ST., LEESBURG, VA 20176 Inglish v. Loudoun Farms, LTD, Interested Parties The object of this suit is to Quiet title to real estate in name of Loudoun Farms, LTD, which was administratively dissolved inthe 1980s. It is ORDERED that Loudoun Farms, LTD, or Any Interested Party appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before April 5, 2024 2PM. 2/15, 2/22, 2/29 & 3/7/24
ABC LICENSE
Christopher Griggs trading as Homestead 1870 Meadery and 12117 Harpers Ferry Rd, Hillsboro, Virginia 20132. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Industry Farm Winery Application, Consumed to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Christopher Griggs Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200. 2/8 & 2/15/24
ABC LICENSE
Dilbs LLC trading as bkd Bagels, 500 Fort Evans RD NE 001, Leesburg, Virginia 20175. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for Retail Restaurant or Caterer Application Restaurant, Wine, Beer, Consumed On and Off premises. Dilbs LLC Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200. 2/15 & 2/22/24
ABC LICENSE
La Taqueria LLC trading as La Taqueria, 15 Loudoun St. SE, Leesburg, VA 20175. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for Retail On and Off Premises Wine and Beer license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. La Taqueria LLC, Owner Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200. 2/8 & 2/15/24
LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR: ROADWAY AND CIVIL DESIGN SERVICES FOR ROUTE 15 AND BRADDOCK ROAD ROUNDABOUT, RFP No. 642816 until prior to 4:00 PM, March 26, 2024. INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS-LANDFILL ENTRANCE CONSTRUCTION, IFB No. 639838 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, March 14, 2024. Solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting our web site at www.loudoun.gov/procurement. If you do not have access to the Internet, call (703) 777-0403, M - F, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. WHEN CALLING, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCUREMENT. 2/15/24
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Monday, February 26, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:
PIN
PROPERTY ADDRESS
203-38-1952-000
N/A
TAX MAP NUMBER 100/B/1////16/
203-38-3156-000
42140 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
100/B/1////15/
203-38-4261-000
N/A
100/B/1////14/
203-38-5465-000
42160 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
100/B/1////13/ 100/B/1////12/
203-38-6670-000
42172 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
203-38-7775-000
42186 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
100/B/1////11/
203-38-8980-000
42206 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
100/B/1////10/
203-39-0184-000
N/A
100/B/1/////9/
203-39-1290-000
42224 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
100/B/1/////8/
The Loudoun County School Board has submitted an application for a Commission Permit to permit construction of a 350,000 square foot high school and 120,000 square foot elementary school on approximately 172.91 acres located on the south side of Red Hill Road (Route 617) and the west side of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621) in the Little River Election District and more particularly described as: 41480 Steeplechase Loop Dr, Leesburg, Virginia, PIN# 242-18-1260-000, Tax Map No. /91/////////8/. The subject property is zoned Agricultural Residential -3 (A-3) and Transitional Residential – 3 (TR-3) under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance.
203-39-2395-000
42234 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
100/B/1/////7/
203-39-3598-000
42240 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
100/B/1/////6/
203-49-4606-000
42258 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
100/B/1/////5/
203-49-5711-000
42268 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
100/B/1/////4/
203-49-6816-000
42274 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
100/B/1/////3/
203-49-8021-000
42292 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
100/B/1/////2/
LEGI-2023-0012, FLEETWOOD NORTH: ZMAP-2020-0008, ZMOD-2023-0009, ZMOD-2023-0010, ZMOD-2023-0048, ZMOD-2023-0049, and ZMOD-2023-0050
203-49-9224-000
42298 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
100/B/1/////1/
LEGI-2023-0078, DULLES NORTH HS & ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: CMPT-2023-0006 (Commission Permit)
(Zoning Map Amendment and Zoning Modifications)
Toll Mid-Atlantic LP Company, Inc., submitted applications for: a zoning map amendment and zoning ordinance modifications for approximately 70.92 acres of land located south of Sleeping Woods Court (Route 616), east of Fleetwood Road (Route 616), and west of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621) in the Little River Election District (the “Subject Property”) and more particularly described as: PIN
PROPERTY ADDRESS
TAX MAP NUMBER
243-10-7274-000
N/A
/91////////33/
244-40-6257-000
23547 EVERGREEN MILLS RD., ALDIE, VA
/91////////29/
244-30-4062-000
N/A
/91////////30/
201-45-1579-000
23541 EVERGREEN MILLS RD., ALDIE, VA
/91////////26A
243-10-7419-000
23160 SLEEPING WOODS CT., ALDIE, VA
/91////////28/
244-40-0641-000
23184 SLEEPING WOODS CT., ALDIE, VA
/91///1/////1/
For ZMAP-2020-0008, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property from the Transitional Residential – 3 Upper Broad Run Upper Foley (TR3-UBF) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance to the Single Family Residential – 4 (R-4) zoning district utilizing Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations in order to develop 244 single family detached residential units at a proposed maximum density of 3.44 dwelling units per acre. For ZMOD-2023-0009, ZMOD-2023-0010, ZMOD-2023-0048, ZMOD-2023-0049, and ZMOD-2023-0050, the applicant seeks zoning ordinance modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including but not limited to: to permit single family detached units to front on a private road rather than a public road; to reduce the front yard for single family detached units from 25 feet to 20 feet; to reduce the side yard for single family detached units from nine feet to five feet; to reduce the rear yard for single family detached units from 25 feet to 20 feet; to permit a 50 percent reduction of the parking requirement for public assembly (community/ recreation center) use; reduce the required lot width for single family detached, suburban, from 50 feet to 36 feet minimum; increase maximum lot coverage for single-family detached units from 35 percent to 46 percent maximum; and to permit single family detached units to front on a private road rather than a public road. The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.
LEGI-2023-0070, HIDDENWOOD ASSEMBLAGE: ZMAP-2023-0004 (Zoning Map Amendment)
Edward Y. Papazian and Judith C. Papazian; Thomas Devine Harmon and Pornpit Mrigalakshana, Trustees of the Harmon Living Trust; Frank W. Hardesty and Angela Cannady Hardesty; Venugopal Ravva and Vara Laxmi Ravva; Lisa Sweeney Bell and Scott Bell; John A. Ward and Nancy L. Ward; Keith E. Calhoun and Kristin E. Calhoun; Jay Baltzer and Stephanie McGrady; Gary G. Hosaflook and Joyce E. Hosaflook; Brent Bumgardner; Paul C. Farmer and Holly A. Farmer; Abdus S. Azad; Sharmeen Khan and Asim Khan; Kashif Iqbal and Ayesha Iqbal; Michael E. Duncan; and Patricia Catherine Cave and Jonathan Earley, submitted an application for a zoning map amendment for approximately 29.01 acres of land located east of Racefield Lane (Route 877), south of Cameron Parish Drive (Route 3444) and north of Stone Springs Boulevard (Route 659) in the Dulles Election District (the “Subject Property”) and more particularly described as: PIN
PROPERTY ADDRESS
TAX MAP NUMBER
203-37-7428-000
N/A
100/B/1////20/
203-37-8437-000
N/A
100/B/1////19/
203-37-9642-000
42112 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
100/B/1////18/
203-38-0747-000
42120 HIDDENWOOD LN., ALDIE, VA
100/B/1////17/
For ZMAP-2023-0004, the applicants seek to rezone the Subject Property from Countryside Residential – 1 (CR-1) zoning district to the Planned Development – Industrial Park (PD-IP) zoning district. The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023. Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, or amendments for each item listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Office of County Administrator, Information Desk, First Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-777-0246 (option 5), to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications and land use ordinances may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www. loudoun.gov/pc. For further information, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5). Planning Commission work sessions and public hearings are held in the Board Room of the Government Center. Public hearings and work sessions are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings. Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views during the public hearing. Public comment will be received only for those items listed for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5) prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing; however, speakers may also sign-up at the public hearing. Written comments concerning any item before the Commission are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, P.O. Box 7000 Leesburg, VA 20177-7000, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. If written comments are presented at the hearing, please provide ten (10) copies for distribution to the Commission and for the Clerk’s records. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun. gov/landapplications. Any individual representing and/or proposing to be the sole speaker on behalf of a citizen’s organization or civic association is encouraged to contact the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the date of the public hearing to request additional time to speak on behalf of such organization. Regularly scheduled Planning Commission public hearings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. In the event the public hearing cannot be conducted on that date due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing will be continued to the next day (Wednesday). In the event the public hearing may not be held on that Wednesday due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing may be continued to the first Thursday of the next month. Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5). Three business days advance notice is requested. BY ORDER OF:
MICHELLE FRANK, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
2/15 & 2/22
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
PAGE 29
Legal Notices NOTICE OF INTENT TO SELL REAL PROPERTY FOR DELINQUENT TAXES On or after thirty days from the publication of this Notice, judicial proceedings will be commenced pursuant to Va. Code § 58.1-3965, et seq. to sell the following real estate located in Loudoun County, Virginia for payment of delinquent taxes: OWNER
DESCRIPTION
DEED/ INSTRUMENT NO.
Eric & Julie Allstrom
Single family dwelling .24 acres, more or less 724 Valley View Avenue SW Leesburg, Virginia 20175 PIN 232-36-0876-000 Tax Map No. /48//52/////4/
Instrument No. 202104230047973
Single family dwelling 6.47 acres, more or less 13116 Lutheran Church Road Lovettsville, Virginia 20180 PIN 371-10-2751-000 Tax Map No. //9///6/////3/
Instrument No. 201511200077402
Single family dwelling 2.73 acres, more or less 17322 Canby Road Leesburg, Virginia 20175 PIN 346-30-8276-000 Tax Map No. /38////////25/
Instrument No. 202301240002722
Theodore & Jule Berry
Single family dwelling .11 acres, more or less 615 York Lane SE Leesburg, Virginia 20175 PIN 189-35-0817-000 Tax Map No. /48/S/1///121/
Instrument No. 201209100070077
Samina Bokhari
Multi-family dwelling .22 acres, more or less 19 N. Bridge Street Round Hill, Virginia 20141 PIN 555-25-1384-000 Tax Map No. /34/A/1/F///9A
Instrument No. 201404240020889
Samina Bokhari
Single family dwelling .14 acres, more or less 20857 Channel Court Sterling, Virginia 20165 PIN 007-49-5051-000 Tax Map No. /82/E/1////86/
Instrument No. 201405010022467
John B. Brent & Maggie Nelson Brent
Vacant land 2.05 acres, more or less No Situs Address PIN 427-16-9622-000 Tax Map No. /74////////39A
MOUNTVILLE 369--575 369-577 1875--1376 HWY
John B. Brent and Maggie Nelson Brent
Single family dwelling 11.15 acres, more or less 38454 Lime Kiln Road Middleburg, Virginia 20117 PIN 427-27-6705-000 Tax Map No. /74////////40/
Deed Book 11Y Page 104
Vacant land 4.57 acres, more or less No situs address PIN 427-27-9514-000 Tax Map No. /74////////41/
Deed Book 12H Page 305
Residential Townhouse .06 acres, more or less 43684 Chicacoan Creek Square Leesburg, Virginia 20176 PIN 082-25-8142-000 Tax Map No. /62/K47///154/
Instrument No. 201508270058416
Elizabeth Ann Cook
Residential Condominium 0.0 acres, more or less 108 Prosperity Ave. SE, #A Leesburg, Virginia 20175 PIN 189-36-5685-015 Tax Map No. /48//12C11237/
Instrument No. 201310310086696
Nanci Dwyer
Residential Condominium 0.0 acres, more or less 20385 Belmont Park Terrace, #104 Ashburn, Virginia 20147 PIN 115-18-9075-004 Tax Map No. /62/M141313104
Instrument No. 201412300073761
Alta Austin
Dennis & Jerry Baughan, Vicky Malay
John B. Brent
Thomas M. Burroughs
OWNER
DESCRIPTION
DEED/ INSTRUMENT NO.
Kamy Elvira Fernandes
Residential Townhouse .05 acres, more or less 148 Meadows Lane NE Leesburg, Virginia 20176 PIN 188-28-0106-000 Tax Map No. /48/H/3////58/
Instrument No. 201803060012505
Brian & Anne Hardy
Single family dwelling .5 acres, more or less 15668 Factory Street Waterford, Virginia 20197 PIN 304-46-3641-000 Tax Map No. /28/A/1/H//10/
Book 1965, Page 1875
Sabrina Lhaggazi
Residential Townhouse .05 acres, more or less 234 Nottoway Street SE Leesburg, Virginia 20175 PIN 232-30-1157-000 Tax Map No. /48/K/9///199/
Instrument No. 202311220046821
Alejandro Mondragon
Single family dwelling .23 acres, more or less 402 Ayrlee Avenue NW Leesburg, Virginia 20176 PIN 230-25-9677-000 Tax Map No. /48/C/3/////4/
Instrument No. 201211050087429
Edward & Patricia Moretti
Residential Condominium 0.0 acres, more or less 108 Andrew Place Sterling, Virginia 20164 PIN 032-19-1041-042 Tax Map No. /81/FC2P1//42/
Book 847, Page 1017
Estate of Abraham Nelson
Single family dwelling 1.08 acres, more or less 38353 Lime Kiln Road Middleburg, Virginia 20117 PIN 427-15-9628-000 Tax Map No. /74////////37/
Deed Book 9C Page 76
Kirk C. Noll
Residential Townhouse .05 acres, more or less 107 Meadows Lane NE Leesburg, Virginia 20176 PIN 188-17-9649-000 Tax Map No. /48/H/2///128/
Instrument No. 197904020020691
Heirs of Emory Peterson
Vacant land .64 acres, more or less No situs address PIN 653-37-8652-000 Tax Map No. /53////////45/
Instrument No. 201106090034805
Bambi L. Tederick
Single family dwelling 0.53 acres, more or less, 20464 White Oak Dr. Sterling, Virginia 20165 PIN 028-45-3531-000 Tax Map No. /63/A/2////28/
Instrument No. 201403140012451
Bambi L. Tederick
Vacant land .27 acres, more or less No situs address PIN 028-45-3438-000 Tax Map No. /63/A/2////29/
Instrument No. 201403140012451
The owner of any property listed may redeem it at any time before the date of the sale by paying all accumulated taxes, penalties, reasonable attorney’s fees, interest and costs thereon, including the pro rata cost of publication hereunder. Partial payment of delinquent taxes, penalties, reasonable attorney’s fees, interest or costs shall not be sufficient to redeem the property, and shall not operate to suspend, invalidate or make moot any action for judicial sale. Henry C. Eickelberg, Treasurer, County of Loudoun, Virginia 1 Harrison Street, S.E., First Floor P.O. Box 347 Leesburg, Virginia 20178 (703) 771-5656
2/15/25
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 30
Legal Notices
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
ATTENTION LOUDOUN COUNTY BUSINESS OWNERS
FIND OUT ABOUT THE COUNTY’S REAL ESTATE AND VEHICLE TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTS AGED 65 YEARS OR OLDER OR WHO ARE DISABLED Commissioner of the Revenue, Robert S. Wertz, Jr., encourages eligible property owners who are aged 65 years or older, OR are totally and permanently disabled, to learn about Loudoun’s property relief programs. Applicants that meet qualifying criteria of the program, including income and net worth limits, may be relieved of up to 100% of real estate taxes on their primary dwelling and lot, up to 3 acres. In addition, eligible applicants may also have their vehicle taxes reduced. To learn more about this tax relief program, please plan on attending one of the free sessions that are being offered throughout the county. No appointment or RSVP is required. Location
City/Town
Date
Ashburn Library
Ashburn
Monday, February 26, 2024
10:30 AM
Time
Cascades Library
Potomac Falls
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
10:30 AM
Purcellville Library
Purcellville
Monday, March 4, 2024
10:30 AM
Rust Library
Leesburg
Monday, March 11, 2024
10:30 AM
2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 2/29 & 3/7/24
TOWN OF HAMILTON, VIRGINIA NOTICE OF PROPOSED PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RATES AND MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE FEE FOR FY25
MARCH 1 DEADLINE Notification of 2024 business tax filing requirements has been mailed to each business and self-employed person on our tax rolls. The notification contains the account number and owner name necessary to report both business receipts and business equipment online.
BUSINESS LICENSE RENEWAL DUE MARCH 1 Business owners who possess a 2023 Loudoun County Business License must obtain a 2024 license by reporting their calendar year 2023 gross receipts and paying the applicable license tax or fee at www.loudoun.gov/efile. The annual FILING and PAYMENT DEADLINE is midnight, March 1. After reporting the business’ receipts online, filers will be provided with a link to pay online as well. Owners of new businesses must obtain a license within 30 days of beginning business. Owners of businesses located in one of Loudoun’s incorporated towns should contact the respective town regarding business licensing requirements.
BUSINESS EQUIPMENT REPORTING DUE MARCH 1 Owners of business equipment that was located in Loudoun County on January 1, 2024, must report it for taxation at www.loudoun.gov/efile. The reporting of original cost, year of purchase, location, and item description for all business equipment in the county is due by midnight, March 1, 2024. Resulting semi-annual tax bills for this equipment must be paid to the Treasurer by the May and October deadlines. The reporting of business equipment is made to the Commissioner of the Revenue for all businesses in the County whether within or outside of an incorporated town. Business owners subject to local business taxes must file annually, even if there is no tax due or property to declare. Mailing address changes and notification of business closure should also be reported at www.loudoun.gov/efile. Most transactions with our office can be done online. For more information or filing assistance, please visit www.loudoun.gov/ cor or contact my office at businesstax@loudoun.gov or 703-777-0260. You may also write or stop by my office weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office in Leesburg is undergoing renovations that may result in longer wait times. So that we may better serve you, taxpayers are encouraged to email or call prior to visiting the office.
Pursuant to Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended §§15.2-107,-1427, 46.2-752 and 58.1-3000, -3007, -3506.1 and -3524the Hamilton Town Council will hold a public hearing at the Hamilton Town Office, 53 East Colonial Highway, Hamilton, Virginia, on February 26, 2024, beginning at 7:00 p.m. via Livestream and Zoom Virtual Meetings for the purpose of receiving comment on the proposed personal property tax rates and motor vehicle license fee for Fiscal Year 2025.
Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue Loudoun County
FY 2024 personal property tax rate: ................................................... $1.10 per $100 of assessed value; 45% PPTRA discount for qualified vehicles
Loudoun Tech Center Office 46000 Center Oak Plaza, Sterling
FY2025 proposed personal property tax rate: ..................................... $1.10 per $100 of assessed value; no change in rate, 38% PPRTA For qualified vehicles
Government Center Office 1 Harrison St. SE, 1st Floor, Leesburg
FY2025 proposed personal property tax rate ....................................... $0.01 per $100 of assessed value For elderly/disabled
MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 8000, Leesburg, VA 20177-9804
FY2024 motor vehicle license fee ................................................................................................$ 25.00 FY2025 proposed motor vehicle license fee ....................................................$ 25.00 No change in rate
Phone: 703-777-0260 E-mail: businesstax@loudoun.gov Website: www.loudoun.gov/cor
The Town Council will hold a special meeting following the public hearing to consider the adoption of an ordinance setting forth the personal property tax rate and motor vehicle license fee. Copies of the proposed ordinance and related documents are available for review on the Town website and at the Town Office, by appointment, Monday through Friday, 8 am through 4 pm. All interested residents are invited to participate in the public hearing by following the instructions on the Town website: hamiltonva.gov or emailing comments to Sherri Jackson, Treasurer at treasurer@hamiltonva. gov. Kenneth C. Wine, Mayor Town of Hamilton
NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES
02/15 & 02/22/24
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:
2/1, 2/8, 2/1 2/15, 2/22 & 2/29/24 & 2/8/24
JJ047045-04-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Maria Jose Nunez Torres Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Mario Obel Nunez, putative father and Unknown Father
The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282 and 16.1-281 for Maria Jose Nunez Torres. It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Mario Obel Nunez, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before March 19, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. 2/15, 2/22, 2/29 & 3/7/24
This notice is to inform the owner and any person having a security interest in their right to reclaim the motor vehicle herein described within 15 days after the date of storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, and the failure of the owner or persons having security interests to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner, and all persons having security interests of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, and consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction. This notice shall also advise the owner of record of his or her right to contest the determination by the Sheriff that the motor vehicle was “abandoned,” as provided in Chapter 630.08 of the Loudoun County Ordinance, by requesting a hearing before the County Administrator in writing. Such written request for a hearing must be made within 15 days of the notice. YR.
MAKE
MODEL
VIN
STORAGE
PHONE#
2012 2012 2005 2003
FORD NISSAN ACURA ISUZU
FUSION SENTRA TL NPR-HD
3FAHP0JA2CR337222 3N1AB6AP0CL655721 19UUA66275A038919 JALB4B14037010418
BLAIR’S AL’S TOWING BATTLEFIELD ROADRUNNER
703-661-8200 703-435-8888 703-378-0059 703-450-7555 2/15 & 2/22/24
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Legal Notices
TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REZONING APPLICATION TLZM-2022-0010 VILLAGE AT LEESBURG LAND BAYS D&E
PUBLIC NOTICE INVITATION FOR BID (IFB)
PUBLIC NOTICE INVITATION FOR BID (IFB)
PLUG VALVE, FLOW TUBE REPLACEMENTS AND BYPASS PUMPING SERVICES
The Town of Leesburg will accept sealed bids electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia. gov), until 3:00 p.m. on March 14, 2024 for the following:
The Town of Leesburg will accept sealed bids electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia. gov), until 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, for the following:
IFB No. 500630-FY24-41
IFB NO. 500640-FY24-34 PLUG VALVE, FLOW TUBE REPLACEMENTS AND BYPASS PUMPING SERVICES Work includes the removal and replacement of two 30” plug valves (equipment provided by Town), one flow tube (equipment provided by Town) and bypass pumping services for the Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF), and all incidentals related thereto.
PAGE 31
WATER TREATMENT RESIDUALS REMOVAL SERVICES AT KENNETH B. ROLLINS WATER TREATMENT PLANT The purpose of this Invitation for Bid is for the Town of Leesburg to obtain the services of a qualified contractor to perform Water Treatment Plant process residuals removal at the Town’s Kenneth B. Rollins Water Treatment Plant. For additional information, visit: http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard 2/15/24
Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, to consider Rezoning application TLZM-2022-0010, Village at Leesburg Land Bays D&E. The Subject Property is located at 42830 Golf Club Road and 1749 Russell Branch Parkway SE and consists of 2 parcels totaling approximately 33.77 acres (Loudoun County Property Identification Numbers (PIN) 149-19-2542 and 150-49-0155 (Portion of)). The Subject Property is zoned I-1 (Industrial / Research Park District). Rezoning Application TLZM-2022-0010 is a request by Springfield East, LC to amend the Concept Plan and Proffers for the subject property to allow for data centers and additional uses permitted in the I-1 zoning district. The Subject Property is located in what the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan (LLTP) describes as an “Area to Transform or Evolve” on the Area Based Land Use Initiatives Map (LLTP pg. 72). The property is further designated within LLTP as “Business and Industrial” on the Character Areas for Preservation and Change Map (LLTP pg. 76). There is no Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.) for commercial uses associated with a Business and Industrial community within LLTP. The Site is further designated as “Office/ Light Industrial” in the Eastern Gateway District Small Area Plan. No specific commercial F.A.R. is proposed. The application includes requested modifications to the landscape and buffer requirements of the Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance (TLZO) regulations. Additional information and copies of this application are available at the Department of Community Development located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Richard Klusek, at 703-771-2758 or rklusek@leesburgva.gov. At these hearings, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations at the meeting should contact the Clerk of the Council at (703) 771-2733 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.
For additional information, visit: http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS BY THE TOWN OF LEESBURG, VIRGINIA FEBRUARY 27, 2024 AT 7:00 P.M. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia (the “Town”) will hold a public hearing in accordance with Section 15.2-2606 of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, on the proposed issuance of one or more series of general obligation bonds in an estimated maximum principal amount of $113,000,000 (the “Bonds”). The Town proposes to issue the Bonds and use the bond proceeds to finance the costs of various capital improvement projects in the Town’s Capital Improvements Program and other approved capital projects and the costs of issuing the Bonds. The Town expects that more than ten percent of the total bond proceeds will be used to finance Police Station Expansion ($25.7M) and Town Shop Expansion and Refurbishment ($12M). The public hearing, which may be continued or adjourned, will be held at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, before the Town Council of the Town (the “Town Council”) in the Council Chambers, Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, in Leesburg, Virginia. A resolution authorizing the issuance of the Bonds will be considered by the Town Council at its meeting on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, following the public hearing on the issuance of the Bonds. The resolution is expected to authorize the issuance of Bonds in one or more series that would finance certain costs on a long-term basis and others on a short-term basis and also authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds of the Town to refinance outstanding interim financing on a long-term basis. A copy of the proposed resolution is available from the Town Clerk, located in Town Hall. Additional information regarding the bond financing is available in the Department of Finance, located on the first floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); or by calling Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council, at 703771-2733. At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711. 2/15/24 & 2/22/24
Run: 2/15 & 2/22
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:
JJ045188-11-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Ashli Martinez-Bonilla Loudoun County Department of Family Services
The object of this suit is to hold a third permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1281 for Ashli Martinez-Bonilla. It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Maynor Martinez Acosta, putative father and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before March 12, 2024 at 3:00 p.m 2/1, 2/8, 2/15 & 2/22/24
v. Maynor Martinez Acosta, putative father and Unknown Father
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:
JJ041604-07-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Gabriela Medina Lainez Loudoun County Department of Family Services v. Jose Medina, Putative Father
The object of this suit is to hold a third Permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Gabriela Medina Lainez; as well as approve a Kinship Guardian Assistance Agreement pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 63.21305 and 63.2-1306. It is ORDERED that the defendant Jose Medina, putative father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before February 21, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. 1/25, 2/1, 2/8 & 2/15/24
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
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Legal Notices
TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING SETTING TAX RATES ON PERSONAL PROPERTY (SECTION 20-22), VEHICLE LICENSE FEE (SECTION 32-84), MOTOR VEHICLE TAX REDUCTION (SECTION 2025), AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF (SECTION 20-30) FOR TAX YEAR 2024, AND AMENDING LEESBURG TOWN CODE APPENDIX B – FEE SCHEDULE
PUBLIC NOTICE TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE
Business, Professional and Occupational License tax for 2024 is due on March 1, 2024. Failure to receive a renewal application does not relieve penalty and interest charges. Elizabeth B. Krens, Treasurer
In accordance with the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, §§ 15.2-1427, 46.2-752, 58.1-3000, 58.1-3007, 58.1-3503, 58.1-3506, 58.1-3506.1 through 58.1-3506.8, 58.1-3515 and 58.1-3524, the Leesburg Town Council will hold a public hearing on: Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA.
Public Notice The Town of Leesburg Board and Commission Vacancies The Town of Leesburg is soliciting applications for multiple Board and Commission vacancies. Current vacancies include: Diversity Commission, Environmental Advisory Commission, and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Citizens interested in serving on a board or commission can find additional information, membership requirements, or may apply via the Town’s web site at www.leesburgva.gov/ government/boards-and-commissions. Applications will be kept on file for one year. Any questions can be sent to the Clerk of Council via email at eboeing@leesburgva.gov. 2/8 & 2/15/2024
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE ROUND HILL, VIRGINIA MONTHLY UTILITY BILLING & WATER AND SEWER ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS The Town of Round Hill is proposing to change its utility billing from a bi-monthly basis to a monthly basis, effective April 1, 2024. The Town Council will hold a public hearing beginning at 7:30 p.m. on February 21, 2024, at the Round Hill Town Office, 23 Main Street, Round Hill, Virginia, to consider the adoption of amendments to the Town Water and Sewer Ordinances that will calculate the current bi-monthly utility billing amount to a monthly billing amount. The proposed changes amend Water Ordinance Article VII, Billing, Section 7-10 and Sewer Ordinance Article IX, Billing, Sections 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 to state that the Town Council may adopt a schedule of rates. These amendments are authorized by Code of Virginia Sections 15.2-2111, -2119 and 2143. If the February 21, 2024 meeting is rescheduled, the Public Hearing will be held at the next regularly scheduled meeting on March 6, 2024.
TOWN OF ROUND HILL FEES, CHARGES & TAX RATE SCHEDULE (FY 2024) July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 Sewer Usage Charges Bi-Monthly Monthly Billing Minimum Amount per Bill (up to 2,000 1,000 gallons) All Sewer is Based on Water Consumption, Cost per Gallon
Proposed Charge In Town
Proposed Charge Out of Town
$25.50 $12.75
$38.26 $19.13
$0.01275
$0.01913
Water Usage Charges Bi-Monthly Monthly Billing Minimum Amount per Bill (up to 2,000 1,000 gallons) All Water Used, Cost per Gallon
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Proposed Charge In Town
Proposed Charge Out of Town
$17.00 $8.50
$25.50 $12.75
$0.00850
$0.01275
Copies of the proposed amendments and related documents are available for inspection and copying at the Round Hill Town Office and on the Town website at roundhillva.org. All persons interested in commenting on the proposed amendments may appear in person or participate remotely on the date of the Public Hearing. Written comments should be emailed to townclerk@roundhillva.org no later than noon on February 21, 2024, to be included in the record. Anyone needing assistance or accommodations under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act should call the Town Administrator’s Office at (540) 338-7878. 2/8 & 2/15/24
at which time the public shall have the right to present oral and written testimony on the following proposed amendments to the Leesburg Town Code: • The Town Manager proposes tax rates for personal property (per $100.00 of assessed value) for tax year 2024 to remain unchanged, as follows: ο Aircraft = $0.001 ο Motor vehicles = $1.00 ο Motor vehicles of eligible elderly and disabled (Town Code Sec. 20-25) = $0.50 ο Tangible personal property (excluding public service corporations) = $1.00 ο Bank capital = $0.80 per $100.00 of the net capital of banks located in the Town. •
The Town Manager proposes personal property tax relief for tax year 2024 under the provisions of the Virginia Personal Property Tax Relief Act and Leesburg Town Code sec. 20-30, as follows: a personal property tax relief rate of 34% shall be applied solely to that portion of the value of each qualifying vehicle that is not in excess of $20,000.
•
The Town Manager proposes that the vehicle license fee for tax year 2024 remain unchanged at $25.00 per vehicle.
Copies of the proposed ordinance are available for public examination prior to the public hearing in the office of the Clerk of Council at Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA, during normal business hours. For more information about the ordinance, please contact Clark G. Case, Director of Finance and Administrative Services at 703-771-2720. Persons requiring reasonable accommodations are requested to contact Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the public hearing. For TTY/TTD services, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711. 2/15/24; 2/22/24
Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Henrietta Lacks/Hovatter Elementary School Attendance Zone Proposed School Change for Grade Two Students for the 2024-2025 Academic Year Henrietta Lacks Elementary School, located at 41125 Collaboration Drive in Aldie, will open in the fall of 2024. The Loudoun County School Board is considering a proposed change for grade two students (2024-2025 academic year) assigned to the Henrietta Lacks/Hovatter Elementary School attendance zone. Henrietta Lacks Elementary School has been designed and designated to serve kindergarten through grade two students; Hovatter Elementary School will house students in grades three through five. In October 2023, the School Board voted to open Henrietta Lacks Elementary School without grade two students – only for the 2024-2025 academic year. For the school’s inaugural year (2024-2025), Henrietta Lacks Elementary School would serve only kindergarten and grade one students and any students in preschool programs. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Hovatter Elementary School would serve students in grades two through five. The proposed school of assignment change for next year’s grade two students residing in the Henrietta Lacks/Hovatter Elementary School attendance zone was presented to the School Board on January 30, 2024. The School Board is anticipated to act on the proposed change at their February 27, 2024 meeting. The School Board will also hold a public hearing on February 27 on the recommended school assignment change. The February 27 meeting will be held at the LCPS Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn) and broadcast live on Comcast channel 18 and Verizon Fios channel 43, as well as viewable via simultaneous webcast on the LCPS website (www.lcps.org/webcast). Details on how to sign up to speak at the February 27 public hearing are provided at www.lcps.org/Page/223425. Those who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability in order to participate meaningfully in the School Board meeting or public hearing should contact the Superintendent’s Office at 571252-1020 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting. Beverly I. Tate, Director Loudoun County Public Schools Division of Planning & GIS Services 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Telephone: 571-252-1050 Email: LCPSPLAN@LCPS.ORG 2/15/2024, 2/22/2024
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
PAGE 33
Legal Notices TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
2024 TAX EXEMPTION INFORMATION
ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2024 - JUNE 30, 2025 Pursuant to Section 15.2-2506 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, the LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Council Chamber, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia, at which time the public shall have the right to provide written and oral comments on the proposed budget for fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. This budget is prepared for informative and fiscal planning purposes only. Such preparation, publication, and approval shall not be deemed to be an appropriation. No money shall be paid out or become available to be paid out for any contemplated expenditure unless and until there has first been made an annual, semiannual, quarterly, or monthly appropriation for such contemplated expenditure. SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES
Pursuant to §58.1-3604 of the Code of Virginia, the Loudoun County Commissioner of the Revenue has determined that the 2024 aggregate assessed value of all real property exempted from taxation under §§58.1-3607 and 58.1-3608, and Articles 3, 4 and 5 of Chapter 36 of Title 58.1 of the Code of Virginia is $12,604,474,170. This aggregate assessed value represents 8.04% of all real property assessed in the County.
FY 2024 ADOPTED
FY 2025 PROPOSED
Increase (Decrease)
GENERAL FUND
$1,757,328
$1,980,347
$223,019
UTILITIES FUND
$2,588,579
$2,757,000
$168,421
GENERAL GOVERNMENT CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND
$2,330,000
$1,458,400
($871,600)
$332,650
$115,850
($216,800)
$7,008,557
$6,311,597
($696,960)
Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue Loudoun County
FY 2023 ADOPTED
FY 2024 PROPOSED
Increase (Decrease)
GENERAL FUND
$1,757,328
$1,887,024
$129,696
Government Center Office 1 Harrison St. SE, 1st Floor, Leesburg
UTILITIES FUND
$2,569,179
$2,757,000
$187,821
GENERAL GOVERNMENT CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND
$2,273,000
$1,458,400
($814,600)
EVENTS FUND
$332,650
$115,850
($216,800)
USE OF FUND BALANCE ACROSS ALL FUNDS
$76,400
$93,323
$16,923
$7,008,557
$6,311,597
($696,960)
EVENTS FUND TOTAL EXPENDITURES- ALL FUNDS SUMMARY OF REVENUES
TOTAL REVENUES- ALL FUNDS
All persons desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting. Copies of the proposed budget are available on the Town website and are available for review at the Town Hall between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. Call 540-822-5788 for more information or visit www.lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is cancelled, the public hearing will be convened at the next regular scheduled meeting at the same time and place. 2/8, 2/15/24
The total reduction in tax revenues resulting from such exemptions is $111,549,596 based on the maximum proposed tax rate of $0.885 per $100 of assessed value.
Sterling Location 46000 Center Oak Plaza, Sterling MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 8000, Leesburg, VA 20177-9804 Phone: 703-777-0260 E-mail: realestate@loudoun.gov Website: www.loudoun.gov/cor 2/15 & 2/22/24
Auctions ABC LICENSE
May’s Spa trading as May’s Spa, 319 Evergreen Mill RD SE, Leesburg, Virginia 20175. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for Retail Marketplace Application - Day Spa, Wine, Beer, Consumed On Premises. May Barraclough, Owner Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200. 2/8 & 2/15/24
VEHICLE AUCTION
VEHICLE AUCTION
MD Repo Vehicles For Public Sale at ADESA Washington, DC. All Makes and Models Running Weekly Details can be found at www.adesawashingtondc.com
ADESA WASHINGTON DC 44475 OLD OX ROAD DULLES, VA 20166 705-996-1100
Terms: State and local orders will be strictly enforced at the sale, including social distancing and limits on the number of people permitted to gather in certain areas. All attendees must comply with such procedures or will be required to leave the premises. We strongly recommend that all attendees wear face coverings for the protection of themselves and our staff. Bidder agrees to register and pay a refundable $500 cash deposit plus a non-refundable $20 entry fee before the Sale starts. The balance of the purchase is due in full by 5:00pm on sale day. vehicles are AS-IS and are subject to a buy fee based on the sale price of the vehicle. Only cash or certified funds will be accepted. No vehicle will be released until Payment is made in full. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted.
20+Chase repossessions will be offered to the public sale (monthly) on Wednesdays (2/28/24, 3/27/24, 4/24/24, 5/22/24, 6/19/24, 7/17/24, 8/14/24, 9/11/24, 10/9/24, 11/6/24, 12/4/24). Auction doors open at 8:00 a.m. Sale starts at 9:50 a.m. ET. Registered persons may preview/ inspect vehicles on the day of the sale before bidding. Bids accepted only when a vehicle is presented for sale. The auctioneer will conclude the sale when bidding stops. All results will be final by 5:00 p.m. Terms: Cash or Certified Check.
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
PAGE 35
er m m u S Jobs!csjobs
Post your job listings at NowHiringLoudoun.com Town of Leesburg Employment Opportunities Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online. Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA.
pr gov//p Loudoun.g 0343 703--7777-0
Regular Full-Time Positions Position
Department
Salary Range
Closing Date
Assistant Town Manager (Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology)
Executive
$116,815-$220,197 DOQ
Open until filled
Communications Technician (Police Dispatch)
Police
$53,000-$97,651 DOQ
Open until filled
Customer Service Technician II
Information Technology
$58,241-$109,784 DOQ
Open until filled
Deputy Controller
Finance
$83,981-$158,300 DOQ
Open until filled
Library Director
Executive
$99,044-$186,698 DOQ
Open until filled
Maintenance Worker I (Streets Division)
Public Works & Capital Projects
$51,000-$94,350 DOQ
Open until filled
Police Officer
Police
$65,000-$104,000 DOQ
Open until filled
Senior Engineer – Capital Projects
Public Works & Capital Projects
$74,596-$140,614 DOQ
Open until filled
Utility Instrumentation/SCADA System Technician
Utilities
$63,248-$119,223 DOQ
Open until filled
Utility Plant Technician or Senior Utility Plant Technician
Utilities
$53,000-$104,900 DOQ
Open until filled
Camp C amp S Supervisors upervis sors &L eaders, Leaders, In nstructors, Instructors, L if feguards, P ool & Lifeguards, Pool Park M anagers Park Managers LOUDOUN COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES
Flexible Part-Time Positions Position
Department
Salary Range
Closing Date
Receptionist I
Executive
$20.51-$33.42 DOQ
March 1st, 2024
To review Ida Lee (Parks & Recreation) flexible part-time positions, please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs. Most positions will be filled at or near the minimum of the range. Dependent on qualifications. All Town vacancies may be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35.
We’re Hiring. Loudoun Now is growing. Join the team. Reporters Full-time and part-time positions available for experienced journalists with a passion for community journalism. Accuracy, integrity, curiosity required. Talent with photography, video, social media preferred.
Sales Full-time and part-time advertising sales positions are available for candidates who can help businesses meet their marketing goals in print and online. There is an opportunity to specialize in Loudoun’s growing hospitality/entertainment industries.
Production Manager An experienced and creative graphics designer is needed to lead all aspects of the newspaper’s ad creation and page design. The position will also oversee aspects of the online operations.
The Loudoun Now team is driven by a mission to make our community stronger through committed journalism. Can you help?
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Composting in Loudoun Healthier Soil, Less Waste, Improved Economics, Cleaner Environment lows home gardeners to retrieve coffee grounds, on a first-come-first-served basis. Starbucks locations at Pipeline Plaza and Broadlands Boulevard in Ashburn participate in this program. Chef Jorge Chicas, of Farm & Fork Kitchen in Ashburn, and the Hamilton Mercantile store both are actively composting their food waste.
BY DERRICK CLARKE
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, compost is created by “Combining organic wastes, such as food, yard trimmings, and manures in the right ratios into piles, rows, or vessels; [and] by adding bulking agents such as wood chips, as necessary to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials, and allowing
• IN O
UR B
R YA D
The Composting Process
Increasing Composting in Loudoun
AC K
Among Loudoun residents and businesses there is widespread participation in the county’s program for recycling paper, cardboard, metal, plastic and glass containers and 11 other types of inorganic materials. However, local recycling of organic (plant and animal) waste is another story. Although many Loudouners support reducing the amount of organic matter that is simply discarded, there is relatively little collection of that material for composting. An informal survey of five restaurants, two supermarkets, and 30 residents, revealed that all food scraps from these sources ended up buried in the Loudoun County landfill. This result suggests that most restaurants and businesses with food services are not participating in a program or process that diverts food scraps and organic material to composting. Such inaction needs to be corrected through creation of a robust composting program which will generate real, measurable economic and environmental benefits. As part of the county’s waste management process, diverting food waste from the county landfill into an active compost creation process will produce compost which can be returned as a soil amendment to maintain our nutrient-rich soils while reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (methane and carbon dioxide). Importantly, because composting results in less material to bury and manage, landfill maintenance expenses will be lowered, and consequently, tax dollars saved. Using compost as a soil amendment will enable resiliency to flood and drought conditions, promote better crop yields, and reduce the need for chemical amendments (synthetic fertilizers and pesticides), thereby lowering the risk of water pollution from rainfall and irrigation runoff.
the finished material to fully stabilize and mature through a curing process.” Commercial or industrial composting takes place in a large-scale facility designed to handle up to 80,000 tons per year. During this process, large contaminants such as non-biodegradable plastics are removed prior to placing nitrogen-rich materials into a sludge generator; leaves, paper and tree branches are added to this mixture to maintain suitable carbon to nitrogen ratios. This mixture then is placed into long rows which are automatically watered and mixed daily. After three to six months, a dark compost product emerges to be added to farms and home gardens, enriching their soils. Individuals who participate in backyard composting place their appropriate food scraps and other organic matter, like leaves and coffee grounds, into heaps or bins. These accumulations—which, except for egg shells, should not include food scraps derived from animals—are turned and managed manually throughout the year, ultimately becoming a dark compost product for combining with garden soil.
The State of Composting in Loudoun The big news is the recent announcement that the Loudoun landfill has opened a drop-off center for accepting food waste and the other ingredients for composting. There is a limit of five gallons per week per donor. A business named Key City Compost will collect the material and take it to its processing facility in Frederick, MD. Once created, the compost is sold to farmers and gardeners. The Board of Supervisors approved this process as part of the county energy strategy. Because the program is on a one-year trial basis, it is important that residents and businesses know about it and use the opportunity so it will be extended to close a major gap in Loudoun’s waste management services. Locally, there already are some good companies and residents that merit a “shout out” for showing the way to compost. The two Wegmans stores in Loudoun County divert their food waste to the Free State Farms commercial composting facility in Prince William County. Worm Works, a Loudoun-based company, provides commercial and household composting services. The Worm Works team transports collected food waste to a compost farm in Middleburg, where the collected food waste is transformed into nutrient-dense compost. Some Loudoun residents retrieve nitrogen-rich coffee grounds from Starbucks to be used in their gardens and home compost heaps. In 1995, Starbucks started its international “Grounds for Your Garden” program, which al-
Loudoun businesses and residents have a wonderful opportunity to collaboratively reduce wastefulness by redirecting organic materials away from landfills to composting facilities. County organizations could substantially aid accomplishment of that goal. For example, the chambers of commerce could advocate that their members engage in, or promote, composting. The Virginia Master Gardeners, an avid proponent of composting, makes speakers on the subject available to home gardening groups. Other non-governmental organizations and the County itself could provide training opportunities demonstrating how to make compost work. Such measures should improve Loudoun’s effective recycling rate, and with a dedicated populace, ultimately attain the status of zero-waste community. Just the efficient transformation of food waste, a useless, burdensome entity, to compost, a valuable, useful product, is reason enough to pursue the process. But, as noted, there are other highly significant reasons for composting in the form of tangible benefits to the economy and environment. With public participation and support, all these benefits can be realized. There is no downside to composting. Derrick Clarke, a resident of Ashburn, is CEO and co-founder of AgriCair, a nonprofit dedicated to the maintenance of our “One Living System” through soil and water advocacy. He also is a newly nominated associate director of the Loudoun Soil & Water Conservation District. For more information, go to agricair.org. In Our Backyard is sponsored by the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition. For information about the organization, go to loudouncoalition.org. n
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Leesburg budget continued from page 1 staffing for the newly established nonprofit Leesburg Movement Main Street Program, to be funded from projected fiscal year 2024 surpluses. He also proposed $88,500 to support a pilot program to install speed cameras in two school zones. Initially, money from tickets is expected to cover the cost—the budget projects $500,000 in revenue—although revenue is expected to decline as driver behavior improves. Dentler stressed that the budget doesn’t include many items cited as needs by town leaders. “I know oftentimes that where statements are made that maybe you haven’t cut anything. You’ll see that we’ve already cut a significant amount of things before this budget ever gets to you,” he said. The proposed budget does not include another $6.3 million in new projects or positions requested by department heads, including $1.5 million for the Police Department and $2.5 million for public works. Dentler proposed a $3 million increase in funding for the Capital Asset Replacement Program, which pays for repairs and replacements for the town’s facilities and equipment. But, he said, another list of requested upgrades totaling $2 million was not proposed for funding. The six-year, $309 million Capital Improvements Plan includes 75 projects, in-
LOUDOUNNOW.COM cluding 11 new ones. During FY2025, the plan allocates $45 million to 41 projects. Among the additions to the CIP is $17.9 million storm water drainage upgrades. Dentler warned that compliance with stormwater and pollution control requirements will become increasingly costly in the years to come. Last fall, the council approved $1.55 million in emergency funds for compliance upgrades following a system audit. On Monday night, the council was provided a detailed briefing on the town’s stormwater planning and improvement efforts. Dentler has suggested the council consider a new funding source, such as a stormwater fee charged to nonresidential properties, to help offset those costs. Another concern Dentler highlighted is a decline in the town’s share of sales tax revenue collected in the county. That money is distributed to the towns based on the number of school-aged children living in each jurisdiction. With the growth in other areas of the county, the students living in Leesburg represent a smaller portion of the overall school-aged population. In 2019, Leesburg was home to 13.8% of the county’s school-aged children and received $6 million in sales tax funding. This year, the town has 10.5% of the schoolaged children and projects to receive $7 million—$850,000 less than the current fiscal year and $2.2 million less than if the ratio had remained steady since 2019. Dentler said the town has lower tax bills compared to similar jurisdictions, but
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
Town Manager Kaj Dentler presents his fiscal year 2025 budget proposal to the Leesburg Town Council on Feb. 13.
warned it was not sustainable. “Leesburg has an artificially low tax rate. We do this to ourselves. But we have a lean operation that we run,” Dentler said. “I am not advocating that we need to have a 26-cent tax rate by any means. But when we compare ourselves to Vienna and Herndon and Purcellville, we are well below the mark. Again, that’s part of what makes the job harder to make things work. If we want to grow and do new services and meet the even lane miles and the amount of stormwater that we have to do we’re going to have to address something—either in this area of tax rate or future revenues. Hopefully, we’ll have that opportunity.” Among the opportunities on the hori-
zon is the planned annexation of the Compass Creek development and its 323-acre Microsoft data center campus. If a boundary change is completed by the end of the year, the town could see a revenue boost of as much as $10 million in next year’s budget. The Town Council is scheduled to hold the first of three scheduled budget work sessions on Feb. 26 with plans to adopt the final spending plan on March 19. A public hearing on the proposed tax rate is scheduled for Feb. 27 and a public hearing on the budget March 12. The full budget has been published online at leesburgva.gov/budget. n
Eagle release
among birds that she cares for and is found in opossums as well. She said finding lead in this eagle was noteworthy because of how young he is. She said hunting is the primary source of lead found in local wildlife. “We don’t discourage hunters at all,” she said. “There’s just a safer way to do it and not using lead is it.” Titus said bald eagles do not usually have the signature “bald” or white head until they reach the age of five and since this eagle still has a dark brown head, she estimates him to be quite young. She rehabilitates approximately 400 small animals a year in coordination with BLWC and said helping raptors is her passion. BLWC is a nonprofit that assists more than 3,500 native wildlife animals annually. Learn more about Titus’ work at Kristi’s Caring Hands on Facebook and learn more about Blue Ridge Wildlife Center at blueridgewildlifectr.org. n
continued from page 1
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
From left: Loudoun County wildlife rehabilitator Kristi Titus, Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Executive Director Annie Bradfield and Loudoun County Animal Services Officer Fremerman pose for a photo Feb. 9 after releasing a bald eagle into the wild.
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been grounded for some time, according to Loudoun County wildlife rehabilitator Kristi Titus. Titus was called by Loudoun County Animal Services to give treatment to the injured raptor. “When he got to me, I saw that he was really in not the best shape and so I texted and called up Blue Ridge and said, ‘I’m coming. It’s not good. We’ve got to hurry,” Titus said. The eagle’s lead poisoning was treated at BLWC with chelation therapy, a treatment that binds the lead in the bloodstream allowing it to be excreted. “Blue Ridge Wildlife Center was the wildlife hospital that this eagle came to, but it wasn’t just us. It takes a village,” BWLC Executive Director Annie Bradfield said, praising Loudoun County’s Animal Services and Titus. Titus said lead poisoning is common
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Opinion A New World
Published by Loudoun Community Media 15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176 PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723
NORMAN K. STYER Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com EDITORIAL ALEXIS GUSTIN Reporter agustin@loudounnow.com
The Town of Leesburg is about to enter the goldengoose world of data centers—both with its planned annexation of the Compass Creek area where Microsoft already has a massive investment, and with at least three new projects being proposed at locations throughout the town. The positive impact the industry could have was evident in the unspoken words during the town manager’s budget presentation this week. There are scores of town needs that will again be deferred as town leaders work to keep tax bills close to level amid an economic environment that has stretched family budgets thin and, not insignificantly, during an election year. It’s unsustainable approach to governing. Revenue from just one data center can fill a lot of budget holes quickly. But the town also is seeing the downsides, with neighbors mounting a passionate challenge to a proposed data center near their homes on the town’s eastern border. Even in an area long planned for industrial development,
HANNA PAMPALONI Reporter hpampaloni@loudounnow.com
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concerns over noise, power, water, and quality of life can’t be ignored. That is just the first application to come through; it is a theme town leaders will be hearing again. There are important lessons to be learned from the county government’s decades-long spending spree. This bonus revenue—taxes collected in excess of what would be paid by a conventional commercial property—must be carefully managed to ensure residents feel the benefits in their own pocketbooks and in the community. For one, that likely means targeting the money to capital projects and other one-time costs rather than adding operational expense that still will have to be paid if the magic money disappears. Leesburg is entering the data center market at a time when the industry is under heavy scrutiny. Having witnessed the oversights and missteps of others, council members and town executives should feel pressure— an obligation—to get find the right balance in their community. n
Economic Impact Editor: On behalf of Loudoun’s visitor economy, I was pleased to see residents, business owners and organizations speak to the importance of tourism and the need for data to articulate the potential economic impact of the proposed PJM transmission lines in western Loudoun County. Loudoun leads the commonwealth of Virginia in visitor spending, topping just over $4 billion in 2022 according to Virginia Tourism. What drives Loudoun’s robust visitor economy? Undeniably, Dulles International Airport is an economic engine not only for Loudoun but for the entire region. However, what Loudoun has that the rest of the region does not is its robust rural economy. In 2021, Visit Loudoun commissioned a study by Red Sky Strategy that showed Loudoun’s
vineyards are the number one visitor activity (65%), followed by shopping (45%), dining (42%), historic sites (33%), breweries (32%) and scenic outdoor activities (30%). When combined with lodging, equestrian activities and farms that are open to the public or for private events as well as our towns and villages, you get a more comprehensive picture of the robust and important rural economy. These businesses often fall under the term “agritourism.” In 2018, Visit Loudoun commissioned an economic impact study conducted by the Institute for Service Research, which showed that Loudoun’s agritourism businesses hosted 1.2 million people who generated a total economic impact of $413.6 million in that year alone. But what struck me in the report was that while 40% of those people traveled from outside the region, 60% were us—Loudoun County residents. Across Loudoun, there is support for the tourism industry—70%
of the nearly 1,200 residents who responded to the Red Sky Strategy survey support tourism in Loudoun. When asked about the greatest threat to the more than $4 billion tourism industry, the number one answer was loss of open space. As for those visitors who come to Loudoun for business, a weekend getaway, a sports tournament, or a wedding, one quarter said the beautiful landscape, open spaces and scenery differentiate Loudoun as a destination. 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the barreling of Loudoun’s first vintage, which sparked the creation of DC’s Wine Country. Today, Loudoun’s agritourism assets are valued and supported by residents, contribute to open space as well as drive demand for an industry that helps to diversify Loudoun’s economy. — Beth Erickson, President & CEO, Visit Loudoun
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
READERS’ poll
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CHIPshots — By Chip Beck
What’s your view of the school budget? • 46.88% Poor Plan/Needs cutting •• 32.3% Probably needs some
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trimming
• 13.4% Need more funding to
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support teachers/programs
• 7.5% Good Plan/Meets the
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needs
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
Should more public disclosure be required of travel by local government representatives? Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls
Travel bill
Crossing Guards continued from page 3 Emerick Elementary School in Purcellville for the past 12 years and the crossing guard at Blue Ridge Middle School for the past 11. The two-time Outstanding Crossing Guard winner begins his mornings with high fives, salutes and heart hands both to kids and passersby. He said he’s honored to be given the award and said it took him two and a half hours to read through all the cards and notes he was given on Feb. 7 when he learned he received the award again. Becker could call out random facts about each student as they prepared to cross the street, including how quickly one student could solve a Rubik’s cube every morning on his way to school. As each car drove past, Becker had his own fan club, with shouts and waves being thrown out open windows. Becker returned each one with a salute or tipped his hat. He said as much as he has loved the job, this will be his final year as the crossing guard for the schools now that his wife has retired. Becker said for the past 12 years he has gone home between shifts to a ‘honey do’ list left by his wife. Once she retired in December he jokingly said he started leaving a ‘honey do’ list for her. He said as far as future plans go; he will leave the planning on what they do in the
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
‘Crossing Guard Dave’ Becker gives high fives to students before they cross the street to go to school Feb. 12. Becker was one of two local crossing guards recognized by VDOT for the Outstanding Crossing Guards of 2023.
next chapter up to his wife. Both Becker and Markowski highly recommend the job to anyone interested. “I really, really enjoyed being a crossing guard. I love seeing the parents and kids. For anyone interested I would highly recommend it. It’s very rewarding,” Markowski said. There are 52 crossing guard posts throughout Loudoun County and the Town of Leesburg and 39 crossing guards according to a release. Crossing guards start at $18.62 an hour, to learn more about the position go to sheriff.loudoun.gov/crossingguard. n
continued from page 3 budget; and requires the county board to review and approve any international travel by district supervisors. “The point is, if it’s a problem that’s going on in my jurisdiction, it’s probably a problem that’s going on maybe in other places and we may not know about it,” Perry said. Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) sought to remove the bill from the board’s list of legislation it opposes during a meeting Feb. 6. That motion failed in 3-4-1 vote, with Vice Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian), Michael Turner (D-Ashburn) Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run) and Laura A. TeKrony (D-Little River) opposed, and County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) abstaining. “I believe this is a transparency bill that does not remove from the county any authority but simply makes what we do more transparent and gives the board and the public a greater sense of how we’re spending funding,” Umstattd said. Kershner said he was in favor of local control but felt it was important for the board to watch and see what happens to the bill. “I don’t think it’s to the point where we oppose it or support it either way,” he said. Briskman said the board should con-
tinue to oppose the bill. “One reason is because it subverts local authority,” she said. “Another reason is the administrative burden that it puts on localities to vote on something like a $2,500 or a $5,000 expense out of a supervisor’s discretionary budget.” She said county staff had the authority to renew or approve contracts as high as millions of dollars. “If this bill passes, we’re going to have supervisors approving or disapproving how other supervisors spend their discretionary funds out of their discretionary office budgets. So, not only is it patently ridiculous but it also will make boards completely political,” Briskman said. Turner agreed. “It’s a ludicrous bill to begin with and we all know the underlying political motivations of why it’s even in existence,” he said. Randall said the board had been transparent about its trip to Ghana in 2023. “The idea that we haven’t been extraordinarily transparent and that I haven’t been extraordinarily transparent is just not true,” she said. The bill now moves to the House of Delegates for review. The House Counties, Cities and Towns Committee did not recommend a similar Houe bill that came before them n
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
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FEBRUARY 15, 2024
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