by Gene Powell, Staff Writer
Reston environment and recreation concerns and Reston Association budget matters were the focus of a Feb. 25 public forum featuring two unopposed candidates for seats on the nine-member RA board.
The candidates for three-year terms on the homeowner’s association board of directors are:
Michael Lanza, senior engineer at Tri-Tek Engineering, Herndon, a long-time Reston resident seeking election to represent the North Point district of RA. He has served for two years on the association’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
Matthew Mullenix, Reston resident and executive vice president of Bowman Consulting, a Reston-based engineering firm, running for an at-large seat. In response to a question, he said he has followed board activities closely for several years.
Voting can be done by returning mailed ballots sent to members Feb. 26 or by voting online at the RA Election Portal https://secure.intelliscanvotes.com/reston/2024/index.cfm. Online voting requires a username and password; the portal notes are provided on the mailed ballot.
Voting started Feb. 28 and ends March 31. While both are unopposed, each candidate must gain approval from at least 10% of the association’s membership to take office. There are no candidates for a third open seat, representing the Lake Anne-Tall Oaks district.
Video of the candidates forum may be viewed on the Reston Association Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RestonAssociation/).
The 70-minute session featured more than 20 questions from the in-person audience and online participants. The bulk of environmental questions concerned preservation and care of Reston’s green open spaces and trails, with specific inquiries about battling insect infestation, and wildlife control–particularly the white-tail deer population.
Budget-related issues centered mainly on how the candidates planned to ensure cost-efficient spending by the association and potential controls on the annual resident assessment. In November, the RA board approved a $23 million budget for 2025, and set the member assessment fee at $848.
Lanza and Mullenix both stated their opposition to the development of a casino in the region. A proposal to provide for county voter approval for a casino in the nearby Tysons Corner area was tabled last month in a subcommittee of the Virginia House of Delegates. Developer Comstock Companies said it will continue its push for a voter referendum. An earlier plan had mentioned Reston as a potential location.
Both candidates promised a close examination of RA spending, in cooperation with the association staff. Neither promised reductions in the assessment, but suggested detailed planning could accomplish what Lanza said could be a “smooth, gentle curve” for future increases, avoiding sudden upward spikes.
Lanza and Mullenix frequently had similar responses during the forum, with both emphasizing the benefits of their professional experience, and advocating for long-term planning, frequent communication with RA members, and coordinating the association’s approach to issues with residential cluster associations and local organizations.
Both mentioned seeking additional outside financial assistance in some areas as a potential way to ease RA expenditures. Mullenix cited maintenance of Reston’s 55 miles of trails as one such possibility.
The trails are “a common amenity,” Mullenix said. “Unlike tennis courts, you can’t say this is part of a Reston Association membership, you can use it or you can’t. …So, I think there is a conversation to be had potentially with Fairfax County about funds that can be used to help offset some of the costs of general-purpose amenities that are used by members and non-members.”
Mullenix and Lanza also noted potential additional revenue sources: corporations whose employees enjoy Reston’s resources, developers, Small Tax Districts, and recreational offerings such as camps and sport lessons.
In candidate statements posted prior to the forum:
Mullenix wrote that his “focus will be on preserving what makes Reston special while ensuring smart growth, responsible stewardship, and a well-run association that serves its members above all else.”
Lanza said his goals will be development of an amenity master plan, maintenance and beautification of RA’s lakes and streams, and collaboration with Fairfax County and prospective developers to “bring the maximum benefit and return on investment” for RA members.
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