2025 Legislative Programproposed
Status set at the School Board Regular Meeting on Dec 2, 2024
The City of Fairfax's 2025 Legislative Program is the annual process by which the City Council and School Board establish the city's policy positions and priorities to be advanced before the Virginia General Assembly (which begins January 8, 2025).
The process involves staff presenting draft materials, Council and School Board deliberation, coordination with the city's legislative delegation (Senator Salim, Senate District 37; Delegate Boulevard, House District 11), and formal adoption by both bodies. On September 10, 2024, City Council held a preliminary work session on the program and reviewed 2024 General Assembly highlights, with no formal action taken. A public hearing on the program was held at the November 12, 2024 Council meeting.
Staff outlined a schedule in which Council would reach consensus on new and revised policy statements on November 12, review focus areas with the legislative delegation on December 3, and vote on the final program on December 10. On November 18, 2024, Ms. Sarah Kelsey presented the draft program to the School Board, which was then scheduled for a Board vote at the December 2 regular meeting; that vote occurred on December 2 and the School Board approved the 2025 Legislative Program unanimously (moved by Ms.
Kelsey, seconded by Ms. McQuillen). On December 10, 2024, the City Council's consideration of the proposed 2025 Legislative Program was placed on the consent agenda (item 7G); the consent agenda items 7A through 7H were moved for approval, though no minutes confirming the final outcome of that vote are recorded in the available material.
Still open
- Confirmation that the City Council formally adopted the 2025 Legislative Program at its December 10, 2024 meeting (minutes/actions report not yet available in the record).
- Final prioritization of focus areas as discussed with the legislative delegation at the December 3, 2024 work session.
- Outcome of any position requests related to local authority over accessory dwelling units and other planning-related items raised during the September 10 work session.
What members have said
- Melanie Zipp (Assistant City Manager)
Zipp led staff presentations on the 2025 Legislative Program at multiple meetings, including the September 10 Council work session and the November 12 public hearing. On November 12, she outlined the timeline: Council consensus on policy statements that night, delegation work session on December 3 for consensus and prioritization of focus areas, Council vote on December 10, and program commencement on January 8.
Kelsey presented the draft 2025 Legislative Program to the School Board at its November 18, 2024 work session, covering its major topics. At the December 2 School Board meeting, she moved that the Board approve the 2025 Legislative Program as printed and distributed, which passed unanimously.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
councilcommissionMinutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting, Sep 10, 2024 onward.
History
Filled dots are actions on this topic; open dots are mentions.
- Sep 10, 2024City Council · item 13bWork Session – 2024 Virginia General Assembly Actions and City's 2025 Legislative Program
Council held a preliminary discussion on the City's 2025 Legislative Program and reviewed highlights of 2024 Virginia General Assembly actions; no formal action was taken.
- Legislative Review
[1.04] The draft 2025 Legislative Program was presented and discussed; the Board is scheduled to vote on it at the December regular school board meeting.
- Approval of the 2025 Legislative Program
[4.03] Approval of the 2025 Legislative Program was scheduled for a Board vote at this meeting.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.