County Board | ARLnow.com

Arlington seeks to expand mental health court program to some felony cases

Published October 19, 2026 at 12:45PM | Updated October 21, 2026 at 10:04AM

A gavel sits on the judge's bench inside an Arlington County Circuit Court courtroom (courtesy Arlington County Sheriff's Office)

County Board members took action on Saturday (Oct. 17) that could lead to expansion of a court program focused on offenders with mental illnesses.

The county is submitting a proposal to state officials for a behavioral health docket within the county’s circuit court. If approved by the Virginia Supreme Court, the post-plea program will serve some individuals charged with felony offenses who are suffering from serious mental illness or a combination of mental illness and developmental disabilities.

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County Board to consider bumping the cost of a tow from $160 to $210

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 19, 2026 at 10:00AM

"Towing enforced" signage (file photo)

County Board members next month could increase fees for towing from private property from the current $160 up to $210, an increase of more than 30%.

That’s the figure recommended by county staff and the Trespass Towing Advisory Board (TTAB), but in recent years Board members have been leery of increasing rates as high as recommended.

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Affordable housing panel struggles to deliver ‘substantive solution’

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 19, 2026 at 8:30AM

Wholey Legacy Homes, an affordable housing project at 1300 N. Pierce Street (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

Some affordable-housing advocates fear an advisory panel set up by the County Board earlier this year won’t deliver tangible results.

“I’m not optimistic this working group is going to come up with a substantive solution,” Housing Commission chair Kellen MacBeth said at the commission’s Oct. 8 meeting.

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Arlington has uninstalled its Flock cameras, but some private ones may remain

By Dan Egitto

Published October 13, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated October 13, 2026 at 4:05PM

A Flock Safety camera in Ballston in 2024 (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

All Flock cameras on public property in Arlington have been removed, but that doesn’t mean the technology is gone entirely, county staff say.

All county-leased Flock Safety technology had been removed as of last week, in compliance with a County Board vote last month, county spokesperson Ryan Hudson told ARLnow. This included 41 cameras in total: 26 Falcon license plate readers and 15 Condor pan-tilt-zoom cameras.

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Sidewalk, intersection improvements in Douglas Park and Clarendon set for approval

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 13, 2026 at 9:15AM

18th Street S. and S. Pollard Street in Douglas Park (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Three street projects and two community signs valued at a combined $4.26 million are set for approval in the latest round of Arlington Neighborhoods Program funding.

County Board members are slated to vote on the slate of nominees by the program’s advisory commission at their meeting on Saturday, Oct. 17.

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Charging an electric vehicle could soon cost 72% more at Arlington County stations

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 12, 2026 at 1:45PM

Electric-vehicle charging (via Marek Studzinski/Unsplash)

The cost of charging an electric vehicle at an Arlington County station could increase in a few weeks.

County Board members are considering a proposal to increase rates from the current 17.46 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity provided to 30 cents per kilowatt-hour. The roughly 72% increase would cover higher energy costs and help recoup capital costs.

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Civic Federation may press local leaders on change-of-governance legislation

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 12, 2026 at 10:00AM

The Bozman Government Center at 2100 Clarendon Blvd on Sept. 6, 2024 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Arlington County Civic Federation may renew its push for General Assembly legislation giving the county powers to change its 95-year-old governance structure.

A draft resolution is set to be presented next week and voted on in November, calling for action from the county’s legislative delegation. Desired legislation could grant Arlington the power to modify the size of the County Board and School Board; change the election schedule; allow for a move to district representation; and separately elect a Board chair.

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NEW: Arlington County sues to halt proposed arch in Memorial Circle

By The Associated Press and ARLnow.com

Published October 8, 2026 at 11:00PM

County Board member J.D. Spain Sr. speaks against the proposed arch in Memorial Circle (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

The Arlington County Board has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop construction of President Donald Trump’s planned 250-foot arch in Memorial Circle.

The suit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, makes the Board the first government body to take legal action against the monument. It criticizes the speed at which the project has moved without going through the full review process.

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County Board to host another town hall discussion later this month

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 7, 2026 at 8:30AM

County Board members Susan Cunningham and Takis Karantonis (screenshot via Arlington County)

The Arlington County Board is hosting a second town hall meeting later this month, opening the floor for discussion on topics that aren’t included on recent or upcoming agendas.

Board members plan to use the meeting, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., to see what tweaks, if any, could be made going forward in 2027.

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Arlington’s Human Rights Commission stays out of Medicare-for-all battle

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 6, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated October 6, 2026 at 4:38PM

Stethoscope and laptop computer used in a medical setting (via National Cancer Institute/Unsplash)

The county’s Human Rights Commission says it probably is not the correct venue for proponents of a single-payer healthcare system to make their pitch.

However, the panel’s chair said at a meeting last month that he would look into whether it had the authority to recommend that the County Board consider the matter.

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Arlington GOP backs Clement for County Board, criticizes both treasurer candidates

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 5, 2026 at 2:45PM

Audrey Clement at Arlington Chamber of Commerce forum (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

The Arlington County Republican Committee has decided to back independent candidate Audrey Clement for County Board and to stay out of the special election for treasurer.

“In my many meetings and conversations with Audrey, I am convinced she is very knowledgeable about the issues and has a tenacity that would force accountability on a wholly unaccountable County Board,” Arlington GOP chair Matthew Hurtt said in a message to party members announcing the endorsement.

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Mount Zion Baptist Church celebrates 160th anniversary in Green Valley

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 2, 2026 at 2:45PM

Kyra Hicks, Rochelle Day, Dr. André Ivy and James Jordan with County Board members during proclamation ceremony honoring Mount Zion Baptist Church (courtesy Mount Zion)

County Board members last week honored major milestones for a South Arlington church and North Arlington civic association.

Board members on Sept. 22 saluted Green Valley’s Mount Zion Baptist Church, which this year is marking its 160th anniversary.