(Prince William Times $) The Prince William County Historical Commission is sounding the alarm after two historic African American cemeteries in Brentsville were damaged by the construction of a new data center and a related electrical substation.
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The Stafford County Utilities Department will provide the Board of Supervisors with an update on the county's water reuse system project at a special work session on Wednesday, May 15, at 6 p.m. The project is linked to the construction of an Amazon data center on Old Potomac Church Road, near Stafford Hospital, part of the Potomac Church Tech Center zoning amendment.

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Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part story focused on Prince William Board of County Supervisor At-large Deshundra Jefferson's first 100 days in office. Read part one here.

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Potomac Local News recently interviewed Deshundra Jefferson, Chair of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, to discuss her initial 100 days in office and her future plans for the county.

At 47, Jefferson, a single mother who lives in Montclair, shares how she balances raising a teenage son with managing a county of nearly a half million residents. She provided insights into her governance approach and her vision for the future of the county.

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“My Board colleagues and I unanimously adopted the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, raising the “Data Center Tax” rate from $2.15 to $3.70 (the current maximum allowable threshold) and lowering the real property tax rate from $0.966 to $0.920. This shifts more of the tax burden onto some of the world’s wealthiest corporations while advancing community priorities through investments in key areas such as public safety, social services, sustainability, parks, and multi-modal transportation.

— Prince William County Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye in an email to constituents.

On Saturday, April 27, 2024, Prince William County held its second of eight planned town hall meetings as part of its strategic planning process for 2025-2029. The event, hosted by Board of County Supervisors Chair At-large Deshundra Jefferson aimed to gather public input to shape the county’s future.

The Prince William County Strategic Plan outlines the community’s vision and goals for improving various areas, such as health, safety, economy, and education, through 2024. It is crucial for residents because it shapes the county’s priorities and decisions, impacting everyday life and the local environment.

Residents expressed concerns about government transparency, growth, and preserving open space. These discussions also touched on areas like senior care, workforce development, and education, reflecting a broad range of community interests. “I would say residents are, no matter where [they] are in the county, based on these first two sessions at least, it feels like residents are thinking about opportunities in a similar way.”

“One of the common threads we’ve seen in both town hall meetings is the residents’ strong desire for transparency and accountability from their local government,” said County Executive Christopher Shorter. “It’s clear that our community is deeply invested in the future of Prince William County, and their input is invaluable as we chart our course for the coming years.”

Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye had previously held a similar meeting in March, marking the beginning of this comprehensive engagement effort. Shorter noted similarities in citizen concerns in both town halls.

A recurring topic of discussion was the impact of data centers on the county’s landscape and infrastructure. Concerns ranged from traffic congestion to air and water quality, residents shared diverse concerns on the role of data centers in the county’s future development. Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir previously directed county staff to review the data center overlay to identify potential changes. Planning staff will present their findings to the board on May 14.

Jefferson emphasized the importance of citizen engagement in shaping the county’s future, welcoming input from all residents. The town hall format allowed for group discussions on key questions related to the county’s challenges and opportunities.

“Our strategic planning process is rooted in the principle of inclusivity,” stated Jefferson. “Every voice matters, and we want to ensure that our decision-making reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our community. These town hall meetings serve as a platform for residents to actively participate in shaping the future of Prince William County.”

From affordable housing to school overcrowding, participants voiced their concerns and priorities, contributing valuable insights for the strategic planning process.

“The level of community engagement we’ve witnessed today is truly inspiring,” remarked Jefferson. “It’s clear that our residents are deeply invested in the well-being of our county, and their input will play a crucial role in guiding our decision-making process moving forward.”

The event also outlined the phased approach to strategic planning, including community outreach, plan development, and adoption. With a projected timeline aiming for plan adoption in February 2025, the county aims to ensure transparency and community involvement throughout the process.

Jefferson encouraged residents to attend the strategic plan town halls in their districts taking place over the next few months. “Your willingness to participate in this important dialogue demonstrates your commitment to the future of Prince William County. Together, we will continue working towards building a vibrant and inclusive community for all.”

Potomac District will hold the next strategic plan town hall on May 8 at Potomac Shores Middle School.

At the recent Prince William Board of County Supervisors meeting, which convened to discuss and finalize the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, a series of significant decisions were reached during the budget markup session. Supervisors engaged in deliberations and voting on various funding allocations and tax rates, reflecting the diverse perspectives and priorities within the board.

One of the pivotal outcomes of the session was the passage of a higher $3.70 per $100 $100 of assessed value Computer and Peripheral (data center) tax, which garnered a 7-1 vote in favor. It’s the second hike in as many years for this tax, up from $1.80 in 2022. Supporters have called for the county’s burgeoning data center industry, set to overtake neighboring Loudoun County as the world’s epicenter for server farms that power the internet, to pay more.

Additionally, there was unanimous support, with an 8-0 vote for setting the real estate tax rate at 92 cents per $100 assessed value. This move aims to balance meeting the county’s financial needs and alleviating the tax burden on residents. The decision means that, for the first time in years, residents will see an average decrease in their real estate tax bills of about $240 instead of the typical increase.

However, not all proposed funding allocations received unanimous approval. A notable instance was the failure to secure additional funds amounting to $3.9 million for the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC OmniRide), with a tied 4-4 vote. This outcome reflects the differing opinions among supervisors regarding the prioritization of transportation initiatives within the budget.

Similarly, a proposal to allocate $833,000 for Americans for Wartime Experience, a long-talked-about museum that announced more than a decade ago that it would build a facility on 70 acres behind what is now an At Home store (formerly KMart) in Dale City, faced resistance and was ultimately rejected in a 6-2 vote.

Despite these challenges, several measures successfully gained approval during the session. This includes allocating funds for county services and initiatives, such as approving eight full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. Additionally, updates to the data center ordinance were endorsed, reflecting the county’s commitment to supporting its growing technology sector while ensuring responsible development practices.

Moreover, the board approved various community initiatives to enhance residents’ quality of life. This includes funding for park updates and a litter control crew, underscoring the importance of preserving and maintaining the county’s natural resources and public spaces. Additionally, the approval of county-sponsored special events and the addition of a sustainability environmental analyst demonstrates the board’s commitment to promoting community engagement and environmental stewardship.

Supervisors also shared their perspectives and priorities regarding the budget during the meeting. Supervisor Tom Gordy emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility while advocating for measures to reduce the tax burden on residents. Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin highlighted the need to protect small businesses while supporting necessary tax increases to fund essential services. Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega emphasized the importance of affordability and accessibility for county residents, advocating for measures to bridge the gap and ensure all residents can thrive in Prince William County.

The Board of County Supervisors will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2024, to adopt its annual spending plan, which will take effect on July 1.

Caitlyn Meisner is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.

Prince William Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega (Press Release): The Board of Supervisors is currently working on the budget for the 2025 fiscal year. As part of these discussions, we are considering whether to raise the tax rate on data centers from the current rate of $2.15. Each raise of $0.05 generates approximately $1.8M. If we were to raise the rate to $3.70, it would generate approximately $55.8M in new revenue.

Below are options the Board may consider:

1) Leave as is ($2.15 per $100)
2) Raise gradually over next 4 years
3) Adopt higher rate now ($3.70 per $100)

For comparison, the tax rate on data centers in Loudoun County is $4.15, and in Fairfax County it’s $4.57.

Complete the survey now. This survey will be available until Friday, April 12. Thank you very much for your participation. Your opinion is greatly appreciated.

If you feel strongly about this, consider sending an email to the entire Board of County Supervisors by emailing [email protected]. You can also find a directory of phone numbers for each member of the Board on the county website.

Finally, consider attending one of the last few budget meetings on April 9, April 16, or the April 23 and speaking publicly. The last official public hearing is on April 9. You deserve to have your voice heard.

“The Prince William Board of County Supervisors this week gave a developer permission to construct taller data centers near Independent Hill than was previously allowed,” Insidenova.com reports.