As part of the fiscal year 2026 budget process, the Department of Public Works (DPW) requested the landfill change its hours to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and open on Sundays. Currently, the landfill is open 69 hours per week Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Khattab Shammout, the DPW director, said he heard many Board members call on him to consider reopening the landfill on Sundays when he was first appointed. Shammout said he was concerned with maintaining the facility's current hours and adding an extra day of work.
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Prince William County will introduce a 3-1-1 system this spring, streamlining residents' and businesses' access to non-emergency government services. The Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) officially recognized March 11, 2025, as National 3-1-1 Day, marking the county’s commitment to improving transparency and responsiveness in local government.
What is the 3-1-1 System?
The 3-1-1 service will provide a centralized contact point for residents to request county services, check service statuses, and obtain government information. It is designed to reduce non-emergency calls to 9-1-1 while offering residents multiple ways to engage with local government.
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Data centers in Prince William County could see an increase in the tax rate for computers and peripherals used by data centers as the Board of County Supervisors deliberates on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The proposed tax rate for computer and peripheral (C&P) equipment is set to rise from $3.70 to $4.15 per $100 of assessed value, a move that could significantly impact data center operators and businesses utilizing advanced technology.
The Board of County Supervisors voted to advertise the new C&P tax rate, meaning they can lower the rate during their upcoming budget discussions but cannot raise it beyond the advertised amount. Some supervisors expressed concerns about the increase, arguing it could deter business investment, while others emphasized the need for additional revenue to support county services.
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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.
Under his proposal, the budget maintains the real estate tax rate at 92 cents per $100 assessed value. Yet, due to increased property assessments, the average residential tax bill will rise by $276 to $5,165.
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"This is something that brings us in alignment with many other localities to move the start time for construction from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.," he said on Feb. 4.
Shorter proposed the real estate tax remain at 92 cents per $100 of assessed value, but the average residential tax bill would increase by $276. According to the budget presentation, the average residential tax bill would then total $5,165, which is up from the average $4,881 tax bill in fiscal year 2025.
A majority — 57% to be exact or $2,956 — of the average tax bill will go to fund Prince William County Schools (PWCS) due to the revenue-sharing agreement between the county and PWCS. This has been a major point of contention for some of the county supervisors and became a topic of discussion at Tuesday's meeting.
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Correction: This new data center is near Unity Reed High School, near Manassas. An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported Patriot High School.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors has approved a 24-acre rezoning for a new data center development along Wellington Road, despite opposition from Supervisor Bob Weir and concerns about its proximity to Unity Reed High School.
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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.
The meals tax, enacted in 2022, has been a consistent contention among business owners, who argue it places additional strain on their already tight profit margins. Inflation, staffing shortages, and rising costs for food, rent, and utilities have made operating a restaurant more expensive, and many owners believe the meals tax exacerbates these challenges.
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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.
Revenue-Sharing Model Sparks Concern
The funding transfer stems from a 1998 agreement automatically allocating a percentage of surplus general revenues—57.23% to PWCS and 42.77% to the county. This year’s surplus totaled $68.7 million, with $13.38 million set aside to maintain the county’s unassigned fund balance in compliance with the Principles of Sound Financial Management. After adjustments, the schools’ net share came to $31.6 million.
However, some supervisors have an issue with the automatic nature of the transfer. Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and accountability in the county’s school funding model.
“We fully funded the school division at the beginning of the year, and now we’re approving another massive transfer of funds,” Weir said. “This is yet another indictment of why the revenue-sharing model doesn’t work. We don’t know where the money is going, and we’re just handing out a blank check.”
Other supervisors echoed similar concerns, questioning whether the county should demand more detailed financial reporting from the school division before approving additional appropriations.
Supervisors Defend Funding as Essential Investment
Not all board members agreed that changes to the funding structure are necessary. Deshundra Jefferson, Chair At-large, defended the current model, arguing that education funding is a critical investment in the county’s future.
“Schools are what make people want to live here. They are what drive businesses to come here,” Jefferson said, emphasizing that fully funding the school division is crucial to maintaining a strong education system.
Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye added that while fiscal oversight is essential, withholding necessary school funding could have unintended consequences.
“We need to ensure our students and educators have the resources they need, while also working towards more transparency in the future,” Boddye said.
Timing of Budget Appropriations Questioned
One key concern was why the school division waited until this point in the fiscal year to request the funds.
School officials explained that they must wait until the completion of an external audit finalized in December 2024 before confirming the surplus amount. The audit process ensures that the financials are accurate and aligned with county finance department standards before allocating funds.
“We work closely with the county finance department to ensure all financials are verified before bringing them forward,” a PWCS representative explained.
Despite the concerns, the funding transfer ultimately passed in a 6-1 vote, with Supervisor Yesli Vega voting against it and Supervisor Weir abstaining.
The debate over the county’s revenue-sharing model is expected to resurface ahead of the next budget cycle, with some supervisors calling for more detailed tracking of school expenditures and earlier financial planning.
A new Home Depot is set to open in Gordon Plaza, marking a significant step in the redevelopment of North Woodbridge.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved the rezoning and special use permit for the 16-acre site at 13271 Gordon Boulevard, allowing for a home improvement store exceeding 80,000 square feet. The project will also feature a garden center, seasonal sales area, motor vehicle rental (limited), curbside pickup, and expanded parking facilities during its February 4, 2025 meeting.
