American Rescue Plan Act

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Consultation has concluded

The American Rescue Plan Act (External link)(ARPA), a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill, was signed into law March 11, 2021. The bill includes $350 billion in assistance to state and local governments. Fairfax City is slated to receive approximately $29.6 million. A public hearing is slated for Dec. 14.

Eligible uses for ARPA funding include:

  • Supporting public health expenditures;
  • Addressing the negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency;
  • Replacing lost public sector revenue;
  • Providing premium pay for essential workers; and
  • Investing in water, sewer, stormwater, and broadband infrastructure. (For some communities across the U.S., access to

The American Rescue Plan Act (External link)(ARPA), a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill, was signed into law March 11, 2021. The bill includes $350 billion in assistance to state and local governments. Fairfax City is slated to receive approximately $29.6 million. A public hearing is slated for Dec. 14.

Eligible uses for ARPA funding include:

  • Supporting public health expenditures;
  • Addressing the negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency;
  • Replacing lost public sector revenue;
  • Providing premium pay for essential workers; and
  • Investing in water, sewer, stormwater, and broadband infrastructure. (For some communities across the U.S., access to safe water and the management of wastewater is a critical challenge. This is not the case in Fairfax City.)

A preliminary spending plan for the city’s allocation of ARPA funds was presented and discussed with City Council at its Sept. 18 offsite meeting(External link). Staff met with the various stakeholders to inform and receive preliminary feedback on each group’s general funding priorities and goals relating to the city’s allocation of ARPA funds.

Staff has had discussions with the following stakeholders:

  • Economic Development Authority
  • Planning Commission
  • Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
  • Commission on the Arts
  • Environmental Sustainability Committee
  • Human Services Committee
  • City of Fairfax Public Schools

A revised spending plan was presented to City Council during its Oct. 26 work session(External link). Key benefits of the presented spending plan include:

1. Qualified Parks & Recreation Capital Projects

Address negative economic impacts on certain populations, households, or geographic areas that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic:

Fairfax City desires to make capital investments to provide additional, as well as improved, outdoor spaces that will benefit economically disadvantaged communities within the city, promote healthier living environments, outdoor recreation, and socialization to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

  • New facilities to support programs and services designed to build stronger neighborhoods
  • Given the small geographic size of the city and free bus service, all parks and recreational facilities are reasonably accessible to all low-income residents of the city
  • Certain parks/recreational facilities will be located adjacent to lower-income neighborhoods
  • Certain recreational improvements will be made to schools that, as evidenced by the large percentage of children qualifying for free lunches, will demonstrably serve low-income residents of the city

2. Qualified Revenue Loss Expenditures

Replace lost public sector revenue

Fairfax City can continue to provide valuable public services and help ensure that fiscal austerity measures do not hamper broader economic recovery. Governmental services include but are not limited to:

  • Maintenance of infrastructure
  • Pay-go spending for building new infrastructure (including roads)
  • Modernization of cybersecurity (including hardware, software, and protection of critical infrastructure)
  • Health services
  • Environmental remediation
  • School/educational services
  • Provision of police, fire, and other public safety services

Now, City Council would like to hear from you. What are your spending priorities? Please use the tools below to share your feedback. Ideas and suggestions will be accepted until Dec. 14.

Discussions: All (9) Open (9)
  • Discussion

    about 3 years ago
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    Start a conversation and discuss with fellow residents. 

  • Premium pay for essential workers

    by Caruso, about 3 years ago
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    Pay your over worked Parks and  Rec part time employees competitive wages and benefits… they are part of the soul of the dept. and the face of Parks and Rec

  • Homeless/mentally ill/addicted

    by Jen, about 3 years ago
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    I believe that we should use some of this money for rehab services for our residents

  • Stormwater Utility Tax.

    by Britt, about 3 years ago
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    No new taxes.  You have $29 million dollars new money and you’re proposing a new tax. Makes no sense. No Rain Water Tax. If there is a problem with current equipment fix it. Taxes never go away just up. Everyone is getting an increase. There are flaws in city’s presentation. 

  • Please buy the lot beside Ratcliffe Park

    by Erin, about 3 years ago
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    Please consider using a small portion of the funds to purchase the wooded lot beside Ratcliffe Park.  This is an opportunity to invest in public health, stormwater management and infrastructure (all eligible ARPA uses) by simply allowing this piece of nature to continue providing us the services that it always has.  This action would be in line with the Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 4: Action NE1.5.2 to "Pursue opportunities to purchase and preserve in perpetuity privately-owned open space."  We have been given an opportunity here that we will never have again if this lot is developed into townhouses, as proposed. 

  • Walkability

    by Catyana Falsetti, about 3 years ago
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    I recommend the enhancement of sidewalks and crosswalks. Right now the sidewalks are narrow and there is often space to widen them without encroaching on used space. Also, enhance the crosswalks and have flashing lights for all locations, especially the western part of the historic district on Main Street. There are a few walkways but it is not apparent to drivers.


    Connect the walkway up route 123 between downtown and Route 29/50 all of the way, rather than patchy sidewalks. 

    Use the existing dog park as a small dog area and create a larger fenced-in area for larger dogs. Currently, the dog park is too small for the level of use that it gets and the size of dogs. The current dog park doesn't give much space for larger dogs to run and is much smaller than the Vienna dog park, South Run, Mason District, and other local parks.


  • Downtown energy - business diversity

    by Annmarie, almost 3 years ago
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    Our downtown is sorely in need of places with live music, as well as non-chain shopping where people can walk from one to another- need way more options.  Unless there's a festival going on, it's kind of dead, even on a weekend night.  Would love to see some of this money be used to make it viable for these kinds of shops to be here, and also help existing ones. 

    Also, could some of the funds be used to support something in the space the farmers' market uses when it's not there?   Like a beer garden maybe?  With heaters of course!   

    Mixed use development downtown would also make a big difference - too much commercial space there now.  If  buildings could include condos that are actually affordable (400k?), that would put more energy and life in the area. 

  • Providing arts and cultural experiences for kids & adults, invigorating downtown

    by WeNeedPerformingArtsInFairfaxCity, almost 3 years ago
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    Over the past 20 months, non-profit organizations like The City of Fairfax Theatre Company have been offering creative opportunities and programs for the people of the community, but continue to struggle due to the pandemic.  While there still is a big gap due to the pandemic, The City of Fairfax Theatre Company would like to support the goals of the City by offering programs that could include workshops, classes, and/or performances. We hope the City will use this opportunity to provide grants/funding and a theatre/performance space for community organizations like CFTC to provide programs and events for members of the community of all ages to participate in and enjoy.

  • Underground Utilities for Old Lee Highway Project

    by Mark Towery, almost 3 years ago
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    Please restore funding to place underground the overhead utility wires (including broadband internet) along Old Lee Highway, as originally planned for the multi-modal improvement project.   This investment in infrastructure would mitigate power and internet outages in our neighborhood.