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Issues & Accomplishments

Issues

Attainable Housing

Homeownership is a key part of the American dream that allows individuals and families to build equity and prosper.

The Chair moved to Prince William County because it was an affordable place to live. There is an opportunity for Prince William County to continue to be a place where residents can afford to buy a home, raise a family, and retire.

Many of the county’s essential workers – including police, fire and rescue, and teachers – live outside of the county. Communities are stronger when more people have a vested interest.

Education

Our children are our future, and we need to make investments to help ensure their success. We know which schools have the greatest support needs and what those needs are.

The county must prioritize funding to help address modernizing and improving the old facilities on the east end of the county and the overcrowding on the western end.

Teachers, support staff, and families need help. Investments in teacher and staff salaries are crucial for the recruitment and retention of the caliber of educators and staff our children deserve. We know which schools have the highest dropout rates. Youth programs, language assistance, and family resources are solutions that the Board can support through funding.

Community Safety

Every resident of Prince William County deserves to feel safe in our community.

It is imperative that the county invests in police, fire, and rescue to ensure competitive pay and comprehensive benefits.

The county needs to invest in our youth to help expand their options and reduce juvenile crime through Summer Jobs Programs and other similar initiatives.

Land Use

The county should embrace intentional, proactive planning which engages the community and builds towards a shared vision. Our zoning code should reflect the diverse needs and opportunities that exist across the county and focus on creating unique, dynamic, and affordable communities that showcase all Prince William County has to offer without placing incompatible uses next to one another.

We need to reevaluate the long-range plan with a critical eye to ensure it continues to align with the community goals as visions and needs evolve.

Collaboration with Schools

  • Chair Jefferson is taking an active role in increasing communication between the BOCS and the School Board to allow greater collaboration when it comes to budgeting, planning, and addressing over/under-crowding issues at the County’s schools 
  • Chair Jefferson has been a key driver in the push to redistrict schools to address current and future capacity needs and concerns

Financial Governance

  • Renewed focus on stewardship of taxpayer money 
  • Routine check-ins on large-scale investment items (operational and capital) 
    • Identifying and mitigating emerging financial risks
  • Renewed focus on stewardship of taxpayer money
  • Routine check-ins on large-scale investment items (operational and capital)
    • Identifying and mitigating emerging financial risks

Accomplishments

FY26 Budget

Chair Jefferson led the Board in establishing a budget to face a challenging economic environment in the midst of federal layoffs and on the verge of recession

  • Reduced the real property tax rate from $0.92 to $0.906 so homeowners’ tax bills would not bear the full brunt of rapidly increasing property values
  • Reduced the car tax rate for the first time in 35 years from $3.70 to $3.50, effectively lowering the average resident’s yearly bill by approximately $22
  • Committed to lowering the meals tax from 4% to 3% starting January 1, 2026
  • Increased school spending to the highest ever level, providing $40 million more than requested to the school system for investments in capital improvements, quality of education, and student safety
  • Added 30 FTEs to Fire & Rescue to help our career staff move towards a more manageable 50-hour work week

Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for PD and Fire & Rescue

Chair Jefferson led the Board to establish the first bipartisan CBA in Prince William County

FY25 Budget

Chair Jefferson led the Board to pass the first unanimous budget since 2019

  • Raised the C&P tax rate from $2.15 per $100 to $3.70
  • Lowered the real estate tax from $0.966 to $0.920 to reduce financial impact on homeowners. On average homeowners will only pay an average of an extra $26 in residential property taxes 
  • Boosted school funding by $105.1 million, or 13% over the 2024 fiscal year budget
    • Provided an additional $1.1 million to NVCC to support early college and workforce development programs
  • Funding for the county to establish an Office of Youth Services serving disconnected and at-risk youth
    • Additional investments in youth include adding support staff for a new judge in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court to ensure cases are processed quickly and with appropriate care
  • Established the county’s first Housing Trust Fund
    • $5.5 million allocated in FY25 and FY26, and $5 million annual contributions from FY27-29 (per the current 5-year plan)
    • $5 million from 2023 surplus rolled over for a total starting figure of $10.5 million in the Housing Trust Fund 
  • Upped investment in County employees by increasing compensation, health benefits, retiree health benefits, and VRS contribution
    • Additional funds support an internal equity and external competitiveness compensation study, as well as compensation studies for Sheriff’s Office, Police, and Adult Detention Center staff
  • Increased funding for transit, including to the Potomac Regional Transportation Commission for local OmniRide services ($9.1 million increase in contribution)
  • Increased funding for parks and recreation facilities, including to maintain, improve, and expand trail networks

Coordinated Community CARE (3C) Program

  • Chair Jefferson worked with Chief LaBelle and the Fire & Rescue union on the program and its standup procedures
  • Not implemented until the 2025 BOCS term 
  • Program will help expand health services available to community members while simultaneously reducing strain on Fire & Rescue teams and local emergency rooms