Deshundra Jefferson Archives - Potomac Local News

Published October 20, 2025 at 8:24AM

Desundra Jefferson, Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair At-large [Photo: Alan Gloss]

Prince William Times – Calling it an “intimidation action,” Deshundra Jefferson, chair of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, has asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the developer behind a controversial plan to allow five data centers behind the Four Seasons retirement community in Dumfries.

Atlantic Funding’s LLC’s lawsuit “seeks to bully Jefferson, chill speech, and silence opposition —with the end goal of profiting from a lucrative data center development,” Jefferson’s court filing said.

Originals

Jefferson Slams ‘Racist’ Mailer—Landrum Fires Back

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 14, 2025 at 11:24AM | Updated August 15, 2025 at 3:41PM

Chair Deshundra Jefferson is firing back after a campaign mailer sent by Republican hopeful Brian Landrum labeled her a “DEI hire”—a phrase she calls a racist dog whistle aimed at diminishing her landmark victory as the first Black Chair of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.

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Manassas

Community Fundraiser Draws Crowd, Raises Thousands for Local Food Programs

By Alan Gloss

Published July 28, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated July 28, 2025 at 1:23PM

Patty Kuntz from the Haymarket Food Pantry holds up their annual report. According to the report 43% of Prince William households are experiencing some sort of food insecurity.

Approximately 150 people attended a fundraiser at the Harris Pavilion in downtown Manassas on Sunday, July 27, 2025, to support food assistance programs in the greater Prince William County area. The event raised over $5,200, which will be divided equally among three local organizations: Haymarket Food Pantry, Action in the Community Through Service (ACTS), and Creating Foundations for Hope (CFH).

Several elected officials participated, including members of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) and state legislators. One of the event’s main attractions was a dunk tank, where attendees could donate money for a chance to dunk local officials.

Press Release

Prince William County Honors Dispatchers During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 2, 2025 at 1:26PM

Surdam

Prince William County’s emergency dispatchers—often referred to as the “first” first responders—are being recognized for their behind-the-scenes heroism during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 14–20, 2025.

During its April 1 meeting, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors passed a proclamation honoring the county’s public safety telecommunicators for their dedication to the community. Supervisor Victor Angry (Neabsco District) introduced the resolution, which Chair At-Large Deshundra Jefferson read aloud.

News

Prince William County Budget Debate: Should Homeowners Receive Refunds?

By Uriah Kiser

Published March 1, 2025 at 10:18PM

Prince William County Executive Christopher Shorter recently unveiled a $2 billion Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal, sparking a heated debate among supervisors and residents over the county’s consistent budget surpluses, rising tax rates, and spending priorities.

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News

Prince William Board of County Supervisors to Revisit Meals Tax in Budget Discussions

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 10, 2025 at 12:30PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:17PM

A waitress at Dixie Bones BBQ in Woodbridge.

Updated 10:30 p.m. – Local restaurant owners are voicing strong opposition to Prince William County’s meals tax, which is set to generate $42 million in Fiscal Year 2025—an increase of $10 million, or 31.25%, from the previous year.

Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chair At-large Deshundra Jefferson has signaled the meals tax will be discussed during the annual budget process this spring. “It would like to see a partial repeal of the meals tax, but it truly depends on our proposed budget for the next fiscal year,” Jefferson told Potomac Local News.

Originals

Prince William County Board Debates $31.6 Million School Funding Transfer

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 7, 2025 at 10:00PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:19AM

A debate over financial transparency and fiscal responsibility erupted during the Prince William Board of County Supervisors’ meeting as members weighed the transfer of $31.6 million to Prince William County Schools (PWCS). The funds, representing the school division’s share of the Fiscal Year 2024 general revenue surplus, were allocated under the county’s long-standing revenue-sharing agreement.

While the measure ultimately passed, some supervisors raised concerns that the county’s revenue-sharing model does not adequately oversee how the school system spends taxpayer money.

Manassas

Prince William County Kills Route 28 Bypass Project After Years of Controversy

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 4, 2025 at 8:46PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:24AM

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Tuesday to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass Project, ending years of planning and millions of dollars in studies and design work. The decision, which passed with a 5-3 vote, came after a contentious debate over the feasibility and cost of the project.

Initially estimated to cost more than $200 million, the road would have connected with Route 28 at a signalized intersection north of Bull Run Stream in Fairfax County. The plan to build the road, Alternative 2B, was the top recommendation from the 2017 Route 28 Corridor Feasibility Study. The project had received $89 million in funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) as part of a broader effort to improve the county’s transportation infrastructure.

Prince William

Prince William County Chair Highlights Accomplishments, Sets Agenda in State of the County Address

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 15, 2025 at 1:02PM

Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chair At-large Deshundra Jefferson delivered her annual State of the County address during the board’s organizational meeting on January 14, 2025. Jefferson reflected on the board’s achievements in 2024 and outlined priorities for the coming year, emphasizing collaboration, financial stewardship, and community investment.

Achievements in 2024

Jefferson highlighted the board’s bipartisan collaboration, leading to several major accomplishments:

Tax Reforms: A reduction in the real estate tax rate, offset by an increase in the business computer and peripheral (data center) tax rate to $3.70, the highest allowable rate. The board also extended the car tax deadline by 60 days to provide temporary relief to taxpayers.

Education Investments: A historic $105.1 million increase in contributions to Prince William County Schools, marking the largest year-over-year increase in the county’s history.

Public Safety Enhancements: Funding for additional police officers and medics, and the ratification of collective bargaining agreements with public safety personnel to improve recruitment and retention.

Preserving Fiscal Health: Maintaining the county’s AAA bond rating, a distinction held by only 53 counties nationwide and 12 in Virginia.

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News

Prince William Board Discusses New Hockey Rink for Dale City Boys and Girls Club

By Uriah Kiser

Published December 19, 2024 at 9:00AM | Updated December 19, 2024 at 2:33PM

Prince William Ice Center

Prince William County could soon be home to a new inline hockey rink at the Hylton Boys and Girls Club in Dale City, following an in-depth discussion by the Board of County Supervisors during their December 17, 2024, meeting. The facility results from a partnership between the Boys and Girls Club, Prince William Ice Center, the Washington Capitals, and George Mason University.

Seth Hendler-Voss, the county’s Director of Parks and Recreation, introduced the project, describing it as “an exciting partnership opportunity to bring a new recreation amenity to Prince William County.” He outlined the proposed location and the collaboration required to make the rink a reality.