Falls Church Seeks Community Volunteers

From the City of Falls Church: Volunteers who live in the City of Falls Church are needed to serve on the boards and commissions listed below. Contact the City Clerk’s Office at 703-248-5014 (TTY 711) or cityclerk@fallschurchva.gov, or visit here for an application and more information. Requests for reappointment must be made through the City Clerk. Applications are accepted until the end of the month. Vacancies advertised for more than one month may be filled during each subsequent month before month’s end. The descriptions of each entity below are short summaries. For a more comprehensive listing of duties and responsibilities, please visit here.

• Board of Equalization -- Members Especially Needed! Hears and considers taxpayers' petitions regarding real estate assessments; Board has the power to order an increase or decrease, or to affirm the assessment in question. The Board of Equalization (BOE) is an independent body appointed by the Circuit Court and charged with determining whether the Office of Real Estate Assessment has equalized the assessments among property owners. Upon its review, the BOE has the power to increase, decrease, or keep the same assessment. BOE members undergo state mandated training prior to voting in meetings. Members can expect to attend an organizational meeting each year to elect a Chair and Secretary and select meeting dates for hearings. The number of meetings is dependent on the number of appeals received. Meetings are Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6pm and can run up to 3 hours. Professional members of the accounting, legal, and real estate community are encouraged to apply – the board requires three members from these fields.
• Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Transportation Considers traffic calming cases, provides recommendations to the City Manager on traffic calming, reviews Traffic Impact Studies for development proposals, and more.
• Environmental Sustainability Council Advises on a wide range of environmental and sustainability issues important to the quality of life in our community, including community cleanups, energy efficiency and climate change, solid waste and stormwater management, and more.
• Historic Architectural Review Board Reviews applications for permits to demolish or move protected structures in the historic district.
• Historical Commission Advises on historical matters; develops criteria for the identification of historic buildings and sites; makes recommendations on recognizing and preserving such structures and sites.
• Housing Commission Maintains awareness of housing needs and opportunities; proposes housing policy initiatives and changes; investigates and conciliates fair housing complaints; mediates conflicts relating to the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; offers services in conflicts relating to other housing laws; and more.
• Tree Commission Advises the City's Arborist, Council and Manager on tree conservation, removal and replacement, both on public and private property. Also makes recommendations on current and proposed regulations and policies that promote the City’s overall goal of preserving the tree canopy.
• Fairfax Area Commission on Aging Advocating for the needs of older adults and tapping into their potential to enrich the community.
• Fairfax Area Disability Services Board Works to include people with physical and sensory disabilities into mainstream community life through education and awareness advising elected bodies, monitoring compliance, advocating for rights, and more.
• Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia plans for efficient/effective use of hospitals, nursing homes and other costly health resources and educates the community about health care issues.
• Long Term Care Coordinating Council Supports inclusive communities of healthy individuals, stable families and connected residents through raising awareness of long term care needs; advocating for solutions in the community; developing community collaboration.

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