Friends,

I write today to report to you on critical actions in last few months of 2025. I have been very busy this year doing the work that needs to be done. As a result, communicating my work to you is later than I would like. Both doing the work and communicating matter very much. I ask for your understanding in this overdue report to you.

Critical Board actions in the summer and early fall included approval of several adaptive reuse projects--redoing office buildings to add residential housing units. Read more below about these critical steps to help reduce our office vacancy rate, address housing supply, and position us for economic growth. November's meeting included financial results from "close out," the wrapping up of the fiscal year that ended last July 1, which was much tighter than any time over the past 7 years.

The Board hired a new County Attorney, and the Sheriff is taking over medical care from a third-party provider.

In June, I was elected Chair of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, a leadership role that I believe is very important as we respond to the Federal shutdown and layoffs. In July, I was appointed to the WAMATA/Metro Board of Directors, a critical role for Arlington, since our economy's backbone is the Metrorail system.
The Northern Virginia Regional Commission in June, celebrating being the first region in the country to be named a SolSmart Region. News & Announcements • NVRC Receives SolSmart Platinum Desig ([link removed])
First: Board actions that approved housing and involved adaptive reuse--the re-imagining of buildings from office to residential. In June, our actions focused on Barcroft Apartments, the 1400-unit parcel the Board invested in while I was Chair in 2021 to prevent affordable housing from becoming unaffordable market rate housing. Our actions continued the work of rebuilding units and replanning the development to keep Arlington more affordable. For a summary of June actions toward this end, go here: June 2025 Arlington County Board Wrap-up ([link removed])

In July, the Board approved redevelopment of an empty office building on Fairfax Drive near the west end of the Ballston/Virginia Square neighborhood and the Ballston Pond to allow for 328 housing units, accompanied by a $2 million investment into our affordable housing fund. This action was an example of being realistic in our planning and development--our plans called for greater height, but the reality is that the property would not redevelop for a long, long time without this action. Adding more housing supply and revitalizing Ballston in this way is a step forward.

We also approved adaptive reuse of two buildings in Crystal City from office to residential and hotel and the development of a surface parking lot in Shirlington. In Crystal City, the 195 additional housing units and the 344-bed hotel are both critical steps for our economy. The 73 units in Shirlington will also help, as will the affordable housing units that will come with the redevelopment. They will reduce our office vacancy rate by over 1%, which is critical because Arlington's rate is approximately 23% and we must invest in our economy to fund the services our 240,000-person County wants. Distinct from the services, as a community we want a vibrant economy, even if growth and change also can cause anxiety and concern. To read more about these steps in our July meeting, go here: July 2025 County Board Wrap-up ([link removed])
The Ballston Business Improvement District for its June 11 meeting. Pictured here are BID leaders, Danette Nguyen who leads Ballston, Mary-Claire Burick, who leads Rosslyn, and Tracy Sayegh Gabriel.
In June and July, I took on two leadership roles that are important ones for Arlington. First, in June, I was elected Chair of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. The NVRC as it is called is made up of leaders from the Counties, Cities, and Towns that are in the broad Northern Virginia region. My first task was to lead the Committee to hire a new Executive Director, Craig Fifer. Craig is from Alexandria but has experience during COVID serving the region as a whole. He will be a great leader for us and he is already working hard to lead NVRC well.

Key areas of work for NVRC, where staff leads through Craig and with priorities set by the Commission via monthly meetings and programs: our regional economy, housing, the environment, METRO and transportation, demographic analysis, stormwater issues, and numerous other strategic priorities that require a regional approach. Regionalism is an Arlington value and imperative and I am honored to be engaging and leading on this work. The first steps from Mr. Fifer have well thought out housing symposia as well as strategic planning for how best to prioritize the other regional issues NVRC could work on.
Engaging on Metro earlier this year through DMV Moves
In July, I was sworn in as a member of the Boad of Directors of Metro--the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. I am serving in an Alternate role, wherein I currently do not attend regular meetings, but serve when Paul Smedberg is not able to be present. This role is a result of my work on the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, where I am Metro Committee Chair. Metro is absolutely the backbone of our economy, so this role, which often is a precursor to serving on the Principal Directors part of the Metro Board, is an important one.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve, and I am engaging as appropriate to safeguard Arlington's interests and the region's commitment to Metro. Safe and reliable Metrorail and Metrobus service is crucial. Making sure our County's investments in Metro are used efficiently and that Metro gains long-term sustainable funding through Richmond are goals we must reach over the coming year.
On July 4th, I joined the Old Dominion Civic Association for their Annual Parade
August was the Board's recess month. During recess, as well as in the preceding and subsequent months, I worked with colleagues to hire a new County Attorney, Ryan Samuel. Mr. Samuel was selected after a full process and he earned it. Because we have hired internal candidates the last two times we have hired a County Attorney, I was very interested in candidates who were not employed with Arlington County.

Mr. Samuel, who previously served as our Deputy County Attorney, earned my support through the interviews. He has been and will continue to be a great fit for the position. His commitment to Arlington's values of inclusion, respect, justice and fairness in interpreting the law and advising the Board and the community won me over. To learn more about this appointment, go here: Arlington County Board Selects Ryan Samuel as County Attorney ([link removed])

A second update of interest is the Sheriff's commitment to moving medical services in house. This decision is fully up to Sheriff Jose Quiroz from an administrative standpoint, but one that the County must provide funding for, and through that funding must engage with him. In 2022, I promised to work on this issue. I am pleased that the Sheriff has made good on his commitment to make the jail safer for those remanded to his care by bringing expertise in-house and far less in the hands of private companies. There is more to do to help divert individuals from the jail and to care for those with mental health or substance abuse issues, but this is a positive step forward that I have spent time working on behind the scenes. Sheriff's Office Assumes Operations of Detention Facility Medical Care ([link removed])

[link removed]

October was Affordable Housing Month.
Watch this 2 minute 37 second video on the Affordable Housing Master Plan

The September Board meeting included another redevelopment of an office building into a residential building. 316 residential units will replace a five-story office building in Courthouse, another step forward on housing supply and economic development. To learn more, go here: September 2025 Arlington County Board Wrap-up – Official Website of Arlington County Virginia Government ([link removed])

In October, I attended the Board meetings as one of my exceptions to the modified paternity leave I took due to our son Teddy's arrival on September 24th. The biggest issue was, of course, the Federal government shutdown, which was and continues to be devastating for many Federal employees. I shared resources with you via email on November 1, but we can now say that the impacts on our community are becoming apparent. Go here for our resources or share with your family and friends: Assistance for Federal Employees and Contractors – Official Website of Arlington County Virginia Government ([link removed])

The November meeting brought the Federal shutdown's consequences for Arlington home to us: the County Manager reported that we had only $1.8 million in "closeout" funding, a fifth or less of the funding we typically have. To see the calculations and analysis that leads the Manager and the Board to be very concerned about our budget for next year, go to this link and scroll down to item 34. November 2025 County Board Meeting Wrap-up ([link removed]) Budget guidance from the Board also reflects the challenges we face: - Item Attachment - FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET GUIDANCE - 30503090.pdf ([link removed]) More to come on budget on the budget. I updated you last week on it, and wanted to return to it
today.

One other example of the problems that the shutdown caused: our Department of Human Services worked on hunger and the SNAP program. To learn more about that work, go here: Arlington County Assists SNAP Households Amid Ongoing Federal Shutdown ([link removed]) I have been in regular contact with our Department of Human Services' Anita Friedman, AFAC's Charley Meng, and our Food Security Coordinator Stephanie Hopkins.
Our family went to the Winter Walk of Lights this year.
Happy holidays to you and your family from our hearts to yours.
Finally, the Board and County staff took several actions on strategic priorities in the latter half of this year that are related to climate change and equity, two priorities of mine from the first moment I ran for County Board 7 plus years ago.
* On climate, our staff led us into a first of its kind partnership with companies on climate change. Arlington County Collaborates with Ceres to Boost Business Resilience ([link removed])
* On digital equity, the Board approved the award of grants to help make reliable internet access available to more Arlingtonians. Arlington Awards Grants Dedicated to Making Digital Equity a Reality ([link removed])
* The Board also conducted outreach on rank choice voting, which I continue to support. Board Awards Funding for Ranked Choice Voting Education and Outreach ([link removed])
* On equity, the Board continues our commitment to funding grants to help serve those in need. Arlington County Renews Commitment to Equity-Based Grant Program ([link removed])
* Finally, with respect to including our LGBTQ+ community, the Human Rights Campaign has again recognized our leadership and commitment. Arlington Awarded Top Rating for LGBTQ Protections ([link removed])

Thank you for reading and the opportunity to serve you.

With a full heart,

Matt

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