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Happy 250th Birthday, America! Thank you to all who organized and sweltered through the Arlington celebrations – from the Arlington Historical Society’s May 9 event to our public safety teams support into the wee hours of July 5th – truly a tremendous community-wide effort. While we all recover and rehydrate, I want to share a few invitations and updates:
Open Door Monday - TODAY at 6 p.m. at Long Bridge Aquatics Center ( register here).
Summer Sip and Chat about Housing – Sunday July 19 at 3 p.m. in Rosslyn, with hosts Jeanne Broyhill and Joe Ventrone ( RSVP here)
August 4 Dual Primary - What better way to celebrate democracy than (another!) election. Early voting is open now. Eligible voters may vote in either the Democratic primary (County Board, U.S. House of Representatives) OR the Republican primary (U.S. Senate).
County Board meetings before the August recess include:
- Final deliberations on the bi-annual update to our ten-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) tomorrow. (View worksession presentations and follow up questions here.)
- Public comment, new housing and retail in Rosslyn, office-to- residential conversation in Pentagon City/National Landing, and gas-powered leaf blowers at the Regular Meeting Saturday 7/18.
- Snow emergency plan review (remember Snowcrete?), legal brief for our Board Structure and Performance effort, CIP adoption and bond referenda language, and future consideration of General Land Use Plan (GLUP) changes at 1501 Langston Blvd. at the Recessed Meeting Tuesday 7/21.
Enjoy reading more details below, share your feedback, and forward this newsletter to neighbors. New subscribers are always welcome! Thank you for your support and trust. I am ever grateful for the opportunity to serve you and our community.
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July 19 Sip & Chat - Let's Talk Housing
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August 4 Dual Primary - Early Vote Open Now
Early voting is open now for the August 4 primary. Eligible voters may vote in either the Democratic primary (County Board, U.S. House of Representatives) OR the Republican primary (U.S. Senate). More info on candidates, events, and early voting below.
The County Board race will be Ranked Choice, amongst three candidates: |
Julie Farnam is a career public servant, small business owner, and APS parent. This is her second campaign for local office.
Upcoming events: 7/16 & 7/17 meet & greets; 7/13, 7/23, & 7/29 virtual town halls |
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Matt de Ferranti is a former lawyer, lobbyist, and teacher. He is seeking a third term, since unseating John Vihstadt in 2018.
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James DeVita is a trial lawyer, former fed and 36-year Arlington resident. This is his fourth campaign for local or state office.
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Candidate forums:
- Arlington Civic Federation (video)
- Arlington Chamber of Commerce (ArlNow)
- Arlington Democrats: County Board (video, ArlNow), U.S. House (video, ArlNow)
- Fairfax Democrats: U.S. House Candidate (video)
- Douglas Park - coming July 20
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County Board meetings before the August recess include:
- Final deliberations on the bi-annual update to our ten-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) tomorrow. (View worksession presentations and follow up questions here.)
- Public comment, new housing and retail in Rosslyn, office-to- residential conversation in Pentagon City/National Landing, and gas-powered leaf blowers at the Regular Meeting Saturday 7/18.
- Snow emergency plan review, legal brief for our Board Structure and Performance effort, CIP adoption and bond referenda language, and future consideration of General Land Use Plan (GLUP) changes at 1501 Langston Blvd. at the Recessed Meeting Tuesday 7/21.
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Overall, this CIP focuses on financial sustainability and defers investments in new facilities (including libraries and fire stations). A few notes:
- As overall revenue growth slows, the CIP is most limited by our commitment to keep debt service growth below the average ten-year historical revenue growth (debt policy #4). In prior years, the overall debt service ratio (policy #1).
- Over the last decade, investment in APS capital needs (responding to accelerated enrollment growth in the 2010s) led to deferral of County capital needs. This CIP reflects the need to turn to deferred maintenance in County assts.
- The General Fund supported portion of the proposed CIP reflects over $1.5 billion, or 49% of the CIP budget dedicated to maintaining the County's existing assets and infrastructure.
- Transportation remains the top capital expenditure, from metro to signal and road/trail maintenance. Much of this is supported with dedicated transportation funding.
- Utility infrastructure, especially water, sewer, and stormwater are the next largest investment.
- Facilities, Parks & Recreation, and Technology together are the third largest.
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Separately, the School Board adopted their own Schools Capital Improvement Plan on June 18. This plan outlines major capital projects, such as new schools and school additions, as well as major maintenance and minor construction projects. As with the County CIP, these are placeholders and the out years are likely to change as we get closer.
The plan includes a request for up to $80 million additional bond funding for FY27-28 (2026 bond referendum) and details $662 million in anticipated projects, including:
- up to $44 million for relocating Montessori Public School of Arlington to the legacy Career Center building (2024 referundum),
- up to $202 million for the major infrastructure program to address aging roofs, HVAC and other critical needs across other schools (2026 referendum),
- up to $153 million for Thomas Jefferson Middle School (2028 referendum), and
- up to $80 million for Swanson Middle School (2030 referendum).
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Last week Carla de la Pava stepped down as Treasurer to enjoy a well-deserved retirement. Carla's work has been exceptional - from managing cash balances carefully to reducing the tax delinquency rate through process improvements, payment plans and collections.
Carla’s Chief Deputy Treasurer, Kim Rucker was sworn in Friday. Kim's 30+ years with the mean we are in good hands. This office will be on the ballot this fall for the remainder of this term and again in 2027 for a full term. |
Upcoming Events and Engagement |
Civic engagement is at the heart of Arlington. Find a way to make a difference — share feedback today or get more deeply involved. Current engagement opportunities include:
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More Ways to Connect in 2026:
- In-person Open Door Mondays - 6:00 PM on the Second and Fourth Monday each month.
- Virtual Open Door Mondays - 6:00 PM on the First and Third Monday each month.
- Monthly meetings, including public comment
- In-person Town Halls - May 4 and October 26
- Email, call, or stop by the Board Office at 2200 Clarendon Blvd, 3rd Floor.
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Useful Info to Keep Handy for 2026 |
I serve as liaison to volunteer commissions and regional bodies that support my 2026 priorities:
Human Resilience:Community Services Board, Faith Leaders Roundtable, Park & Recreation, Sports
Housing & Planning: Comprehensive Plan Liaison, Industrial Development Authority, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) Chesapeake Bay & Water Resources, MWCOG Climate Energy and Environment Policy Committee, MWCOG Transportation Planning Board, Quincy Site Liaison
Climate Resilience: Energy and Environment (C2E2), Forestry & Natural Resources
Fiscal Resilience: Fiscal Affairs, National Landing BID
Good Government & Transparency: Audit ,Community Oversight Board, Virginia Association of Counties, Virginia Municipal League |
Copyright © 2026 Susan for Arlington, All rights reserved.
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