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Candland’s proposal to be used to craft 2016 budget

By Uriah Kiser

The average property tax bill in Prince William County may not increase next year as much as planned.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a plan from Gainesville Supervisor Peter Candland that directs County Executive Melissa Peacor to develop a 2016 budget where the average property tax bill increases no more than 1.7%. That number is down from an annual projected 4% tax bill increase approved by the Board of County Supervisors last April. The average tax bill was to increase by at least 4% per year, every year under the old 5-year plan.

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What to know ahead of I-95 EZ-Pass lanes opening

By Potomac Local News
A view of the I-96 EZ-Pass Express Lanes from Dale Boulevard in Dale City.

Potomac Local continues its effort to keep you informed ahead of the opening of the EZ-Pass Express Lanes on I-95 from North Stafford to Edsall Road in Fairfax County. 

Here is the latest information provide to us about the switch over from HOV lanes to express lanes, which begins Sunday afternoon. The information comes to us via the form of a media briefting from EZ-Pass Express Lanes operator Transurban:

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I-95 EZ-Pass Express Lanes open Monday

By Potomac Local News
Photo By Trevor Wrayton/VDOT Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe cuts the ribbon on the 95 Express Lanes project with Senator Mark Warner, U.S. DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx, Senator Tim Kaine and other elected officials on December 10 at a ceremony at Transurban’s operation center in Alexandria. The new ramps and lanes on I-95 will open Sunday, Dec. 14 to allow motorists to benefit from the lanes during the holiday season without having to pay a toll. Standard HOV rules will continue to be in effect during rush hour until tolling begins on December 29. [Submitted photo]

Drivers will not need an EZ-Pass or EZ-Pass Flex to use the EZ-Pass Express Lanes on I-95 when they open Monday. The lanes will operate under old HOV lanes rules that require vehicle to have three or more occupants between 6 and 9 a.m. and 3:30 and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The lanes will be open to traffic at all other times.

Staring Dec. 29, all drives will need an EZ-Pass or EZ-Pass Flex to use the lanes, and the lanes will be tolled at all times. Virginia State Police are required to enforce the new rules.

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Crews erecting overhead sign closing portion of I-95

By Potomac Local News
Drivers on Interstate 95 south pass under Telegraph Road in North Stafford. (Mary Davidson/PotomacLocal.com)

Road crews needing to install a new overhead sign on Interstate 95 near Dumfries must close a northbound portion of the highway late Wednesday night / early Thursday morning.

Here’s more in a press release from the Virginia Department of Transportation: 

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Cost of living help dwindles for Prince William teachers

By Potomac Local News
Prince William leaders say helping teachers is a top priority this legisltaive season.

Prince William County officials told legislators cuts to the county’s school system have taken a toll over the last five years.

In total, Prince William Schools have lost $48.6 million in education funding from state sources, said Tracy Gordon, assistant to the county executive. Most of the cuts have been from raises provided to attract qualified teachers to work and live in the area, known as “cost to compete” or cost of living adjustments.  

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Should Prince William raise taxes to fill $17.7 million bus budget gap?

By Uriah Kiser

Commuter bus service in Prince William County is heading toward a fiscal cliff.

A budget deficit of $17.7 million is looming for OmniRide commuter buses and OmniLink local buses. The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission or PRTC — the agency that operates the buses — asked Prince William leaders to help make up a budget shortfall that could lead to 1/3 of all PRTC to be slashed, starting in 2018.

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