Fairfax City council on Nov. 4 discussed four possible responses to a bid shortfall for the George Snyder Trail after construction bids exceeded the budgeted amount by roughly $4.6 million.

Transportation staff presented four options: (1) fund the difference with city dollars, (2) seek additional concessionaire funding from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT/NVTA), (3) pursue value engineering (remove items and rebid), or (4) cancel the project and repay VDOT for work and commitments to date.

CFO JC Martinez told the council that if the city notifies VDOT it will not proceed, VDOT could invoice the balance owed (roughly $3.7 million, per staff estimate) within 30–60 days and the city would be required under accounting standards to encumber/unassign fund balance for the anticipated liability. Martinez reported the city's unassigned fund balance was about 17.7% of general fund—above the 15% minimum policy but lower than peer averages and potentially noticeable to rating agencies if other stressors coincided.

Officials reiterated a prior council motion to proceed with the project; cancellation requires a resolution but generally a majority vote (the mayor can break a tie on cancellation votes). Staff emphasized that even if VDOT provided additional concessionaire funding, the city would still need to appropriate any new funds and that appropriation requires four council votes under the city charter for supplemental appropriations.

Councilmembers signaled interest in pursuing option (2) — seeking additional NVTA/VDOT concessionaire funding and requested that representatives attend the Nov. 13 NVTA meeting to present the city's case. Several councilmembers urged keeping all options open pending NVTA/VDOT action. Staff said they will return with value‑engineering possibilities and the finance office outlined the supplemental appropriations process should the city accept or need to repay funds.

Next steps: staff will present value engineering options and formal appropriation requests will be required if the council directs staff to accept additional funding or pay VDOT. The city's NVTA representative will raise the request at the Nov. 13 NVTA meeting; the Housing and Healthy Communities Advisory Board and other boards will bring related items to council in December.

Sources: City staff presentation and council discussion at Nov. 4 Fairfax City work session; remarks by CFO JC Martinez.