OUR MISSION

Keep Fairfax City Independent advocates for preserving the City of Fairfax as an independent city. We also work to ensure that residents have clear information and meaningful opportunities to participate and be heard in decisions affecting the City’s future.

 

Our mission includes:

  1. Protecting Fairfax City’s historic independent local government and charter.

  2. Maintaining our strong residential character and small town atmosphere.

  3. Promoting transparency and accountability.

  4. Encouraging informed civic participation.

  5. Supporting issue-focused participation in local elections.

  6. Distinguishing factual information from advocacy.

WHAT IS AN INDEPENDENT CITY?

Virginia treats independent cities as local governmental jurisdictions separate from surrounding counties. The City of Fairfax became an independent city in 1961 and is geographically surrounded by Fairfax County. Virginia law provides several processes through which local boundaries or governmental status may change. The requirements and consequences depend on the specific proposal. We therefore evaluate actual proposals based on their legal, financial, governmental, and community effects.

WHAT IS AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE?

In Fairfax City, the Mayor and City Council members run as independent candidates rather than as nominees of political parties. This means voters can evaluate candidates directly based on their:

  1. ‍ Qualifications

  2.  Experience

  3.  Public record

  4.  Policy positions

  5.  Leadership

  6.  Commitment to Fairfax City

Independent candidacy does not automatically indicate support from Keep Fairfax City Independent. We encourage residents to review candidate information, attend forums and meetings, ask questions, and make their own decisions.

OUR PRINCIPLES

  • Local Voice

    Residents should have clear information about proposals that could substantially affect their local government.

  • Transparency

    Major governmental changes should be examined openly, with relevant documents, costs, benefits, risks, and alternatives available for public review.

  • Accountability

    Residents should be able to understand who is proposing a change, what authority would be affected, how decisions would be made, and what consequences may follow.

  • Independent Local Government

    We support honoring Fairfax City’s history and charter, preserving Fairfax City’s status as an independent city.

  • Nonpartisan Civic Engagement

    Residents should be able to participate in discussions about Fairfax City’s future without those discussions being reduced to political-party affiliation.

  • Informed Local Elections

    Voters should evaluate local candidates based on their qualifications, records, positions, judgment, and commitment to the City.

  • Regional Cooperation

    Fairfax City can maintain its governmental identity while cooperating with neighboring jurisdictions when cooperation serves the public interest.

ISSUES WE FOLLOW

Positions on specific proposals or candidates will be published separately after review by the committee.

 

Our coverage may include:

  1. City budgets, taxation, capital planning, and fiscal policy.

  2. Land use and development.

  3. Schools and public facilities.

  4. Community Safety.

  5. Transportation and regional agreements.

  6. Candidate records, qualifications, positions, and public statements when relevant.

  7. PAC lawful activities.