OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors FY 2026 Budget Public Hearing - April 23, 2025

Board of Supervisors — Wednesday, April 23, 2025
BodyAlbemarle County, Virginia
SessionBoard of Supervisors
DateWednesday, April 23, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:56:30

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

I'm pleased to call to order this meeting of the Almoral County Board of Supervisors on the 23rd of April at 6 p.m.

0:06

in Lane Auditorium.

0:07

I would like to note that at the tape TS we have uh Supervisor Mike Cruitt of the Scottsville District, Supervisor B.

0:12

Lapista Kirkly of the Ravana District, Supervisor Dianton McKeel of the Jack Jewett District.

0:17

Supervisor Ned Galloway of the Rio District, Supervisor Ann Malik of the Whitehall District.

0:21

And myself, Jim Andrews, representing the Samuel Miller District, the quorum is present.

0:26

We're also joined by our county executive, Mr.

0:28

Jeff Richardson, our county attorney, Mr.

0:30

Andy Herrick, our clerk, Ms.

0:32

Claudette Parkerson, and our senior deputy clerk, Mr.

0:34

Travis Morris.

0:35

Also, let me please welcome Almore County Police Officers present, Master Police Officer Dana Reeves and Lieutenant Angela Jamerson.

0:42

Thank you for your service here today and every day on behalf of the citizens and presidents of Alpham Raw County for our safety and security.

0:50

Our main agenda item for this evening is a public hearing to receive comments on the Board of Supervisors Fiscal Year 2026 proposed budget.

0:58

But before opening the public hearing, I'm going to turn things over to Mr.

1:02

Andy Bowman, our Assistant Chief Financial Officer, and Jacob Sumner, our Chief Financial Officer.

1:06

Welcome.

1:08

Good evening to the Chair and the Board and members of the public and thank you for the introduction.

1:16

Before we open the public hearing, I have a summary of the proposed fiscal year 26 budget.

1:22

I will say if you've been to one of our community town halls or if you've been to the initial uh budget work session where the county executive presented the budget, he's about 45 minutes where he's really gone in detail about everything the budget does, the investments, and why we've gotten there.

1:36

Uh tonight, I'm going to be more abbreviated in my approach where I'm really going to hit the highlights.

1:41

Uh, but certainly after the public hearing, if the board has questions or would like to follow up on other items, we can go into those as well.

1:48

Uh so uh again, this is just a public hearing.

1:51

There is no action that is being requested by the Board of Supervisors tonight.

1:55

That action will occur on May 7th when the Board of Supervisors adopts and appropriates the budget.

2:10

Jacob Sumner, Chief Financial Officer.

2:12

Um, for the audience that may be join us today for the public hearing, we do have a one-pager uh overview of the budget that's here at the sign-up sheet.

2:20

And so if uh you would like to have that as part of uh uh in your possession um as for tonight, um, that is available um at the signup sheet.

2:29

Thank you.

2:30

And to continue.

2:30

Thanks.

2:31

Thank you.

2:32

Uh so I'd like to start these budget presentations about what is really the path behind us and the path ahead.

2:38

Uh over the last two months, the board has invested a lot of time into this budget.

2:43

Uh, this is the start of the 34th hour of a public meeting that we've had after all of our town halls and work sessions.

2:49

And it is evident that the Board of Supervisors themselves invest a tremendous amount of their own time in the budget.

2:54

We can see that from the depth and the breadth of their questions.

2:57

We have on our website a lot of questions staff was able unable to answer on the spot, but those are all posted there for transparency.

3:04

Uh tonight is a public hearing on the budget.

3:06

Next week will be a public hearing on the uh property tax rates.

3:10

Those are two separate hearings due to Virginia Code that requires them to be held at two separate times.

3:16

And then again on May 7th, we will uh request the board to prove an appropriate budget.

3:23

As I walk through the highlights of the budget and where those investments are, we're gonna orient a lot of this around the board's strategic plan that was adopted in the fall of 2022.

3:32

Uh fiscal year twenty-six will be the third year of the board's strategic five-year strategic plan that runs through fiscal year twenty-eight.

3:39

And uh, we've highlighted here where most of my comments tonight will be around the uh the really the three goals on the left safety and well-being, workforce and customer service, and education and learning, because those are some of the largest budget drivers uh where the new revenues are going.

3:54

Uh, there's certainly uh efforts to move forward with existing funding, um, other uh actions that may uh be more uh implementing the existing plans.

4:03

Uh but really those first three on the left is where a lot of the comments will be focused.

4:08

Uh before we look at the expenditure side, it's appropriate that we look at the revenues.

4:13

Uh the budget is balanced as required by law uh for counties of Virginia, and it is done so based on these proposed rates.

4:20

The real property rate is an increase of four cents at 89.4 cents of 100 dollars in assessed value.

4:27

I'll talk in a second about what those four cents do.

4:30

Personal property is recommended at $4.28 cents per $100 of valuation.

4:35

This is an increase due to rate where it was prior to the pandemic.

4:39

Uh the board and public may recall during the pandemic there was a surge in vehicle prices, in particular used car values.

4:45

At that time, the Board of Supervisors significantly dropped that rate, 86 cents, and over the last two years is phasing in that increase back to the pre-pandemic rate.

4:54

Food and beverage and transit occupancy taxes are unchanged.

5:00

To look a little closer at the real property rate of four cents, that is dedicated to go to the following areas.

5:07

Really with an emphasis on the quality of life and well-being aspects.

5:11

First in public safety, as we look at the impact of supporting existing fire rescue services as if FEMA grants begin to be phased out, the county has leveraged, adding police officers and the other support we have for our partners in public safety.

5:26

There's additional funding provided for the public schools.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Budget Equity Analysis███████████████15%
Affordable Housing████████████12%
Climate Action Funding███████████11%
Climate Action███████████11%
Environmental Protection██████████10%
Immigration Enforcement███████7%
Procedural█████5%
Public Schools████4%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors FY 2026 Budget Public Hearing - April 23, 2025

On April 23, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Lane Auditorium, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating and Capital Budget. The budget, totaling over $600 million (general fund $480.6 million), includes a 4-cent real property tax rate increase to 89.4 cents per $100 of assessed value, a personal property tax rate increase to $4.28 per $100, and no changes to food and beverage or transit occupancy taxes. The proposed budget funds public safety (six new police officers, fire rescue staffing), schools (54% of new revenues plus $1.2 million supplemental), affordable housing ($1.2 million ongoing plus $4 million one-time), community services, climate action, and economic development. The board will adopt the budget on May 7, 2025, following a separate public hearing on property tax rates on April 30.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Carolyn Crutchfield (White Hall District) spoke about poor management at Crozet Meadows Apartments, requesting better oversight of low-income housing communities and more choices for residents.
  • Rev. Susan Carlson (White Hall District, co-president of Impact) expressed support for affordable housing, noting the need for $10 million annually and thanking the board for additional funds but stating the proposed amount is insufficient.
  • Denise Zito (White Hall District, member of Impact) supported affordable housing funding, citing the loss of Cavalier Crossing to luxury apartments and urging the county to purchase properties to preserve affordability.
  • Reed Krobach (10th grader, Community Lab School) asked for $1 million annual climate action implementation fund, stating the county's 45% emission reduction goal by 2030 is not funded and noting the 2008 baseline.
  • Veronica Vitko (Rivanna District, junior at Albemarle High School) supported $1 million climate action fund, noting the current $200,000 remaining is insufficient and that other Virginia cities invest more.
  • Catherine Riley (Rivanna District, junior at Albemarle High School) supported $1 million climate action fund, citing the county's 2020 Climate Action Plan goals and the need for local funding due to federal cuts.
  • Jane Colony Mills (White Hall District, executive director of Loaves and Fishes) thanked the county for proposed funding, noting a 92% increase in clients since 2022 and the need for cold storage expansion.
  • Savie O'Flynn (climate justice policy manager, Community Climate Collaborative) stated the budget does not include new climate funding, only $200,000 left from FY22, and urged filling a vacant climate program position.
  • Lila Castleman (resident) supported $1 million climate action fund, arguing the county's initial climate leadership has not been backed by sufficient funding.
  • Lexi Ryan (Rio District) supported $1 million climate action fund, emphasizing the need for proactive investment in resilience and sustainability.
  • Mel O'Bear (resident) requested a community-led housing task force, support for lifting the state ban on rent control, and stronger tenant protections, and launched a petition on change.org.
  • Todd Cohn (Rio District, Indivisible Charlottesville environmental group) supported full funding of the climate action plan, noting the federal government is unlikely to act.
  • Michael Monaco (White Hall District) supported affordable housing funding, stating the housing market inflexibility exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions from commuting.
  • Susan Cruz (executive director, Community Climate Collaborative) urged the board to reinvest in climate action, stating the county is not on track to meet its goals and that claimed climate initiatives are mislabeled.
  • Indigo Mathon (Rio District, junior at Albemarle High School) supported $1 million climate action fund, emphasizing the need to future-proof the economy.
  • Martha Donnelly (resident) asked for metrics on progress toward the 2030 emission reduction goal and supported both climate action and biophilic region initiatives.

Discussion Items

  • Board Questions: Supervisor Pruitt asked about unassigned fund balances (reserves). Staff clarified the 10% unassigned balance (~$50 million), a 2% operating reserve (~$10-11 million), an advancing strategic priorities reserve (remaining ~$700,000 after April 7 allocations), and a reserve for contingencies (~$200,000 ongoing, ~$600,000 one-time). Supervisor Mallek confirmed no operational funding for new schools opening in FY27.
  • Climate Action Funding: Supervisor Pruitt proposed reallocating $300,000 from the advancing strategic priorities reserve to the Climate Action Fund, citing the loss of a $460,000 EPA grant for the Resilient Together plan. Several supervisors expressed support conditioned on staff providing a plan to achieve measurable greenhouse gas reductions. Supervisor Mallek emphasized weatherization and energy efficiency; Supervisor LaPisto-Kirtley wanted deliverables; Supervisor Galloway wanted the funding to come back to the board for specific use. Supervisor Andrews supported the motion as a way to start making progress. County Executive Richardson noted staff could return with a plan at the next budget meetings.
  • ICE Incident: Supervisor Pruitt raised the April 22 seizure of two Albemarle County residents by ICE at the General District Court, noting the county's non-collaboration policy and the sheriff's statement. He condemned the policy as harmful to community safety. Other supervisors concurred, emphasizing the need for federal-level action and the importance of the police chief's statement.

Key Outcomes

  • Motion on Climate Action Funding: Supervisor Pruitt moved to allocate $300,000 from the advancing strategic priorities reserve to the Climate Action Fund, seconded by Supervisor LaPisto-Kirtley. The motion passed unanimously (7-0). Staff will return with a plan for how the funds will be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Next Steps: The board will hold a public hearing on property tax rates on April 30, 2025, and adopt the final budget on May 7, 2025. The county executive will report on the climate action funding plan at a future meeting. The board also noted the upcoming Spear report in August with performance metrics tied to the strategic plan.

Meeting Transcript

I'm pleased to call to order this meeting of the Almoral County Board of Supervisors on the 23rd of April at 6 p.m. in Lane Auditorium. I would like to note that at the tape TS we have uh Supervisor Mike Cruitt of the Scottsville District, Supervisor B. Lapista Kirkly of the Ravana District, Supervisor Dianton McKeel of the Jack Jewett District. Supervisor Ned Galloway of the Rio District, Supervisor Ann Malik of the Whitehall District. And myself, Jim Andrews, representing the Samuel Miller District, the quorum is present. We're also joined by our county executive, Mr. Jeff Richardson, our county attorney, Mr. Andy Herrick, our clerk, Ms. Claudette Parkerson, and our senior deputy clerk, Mr. Travis Morris. Also, let me please welcome Almore County Police Officers present, Master Police Officer Dana Reeves and Lieutenant Angela Jamerson. Thank you for your service here today and every day on behalf of the citizens and presidents of Alpham Raw County for our safety and security. Our main agenda item for this evening is a public hearing to receive comments on the Board of Supervisors Fiscal Year 2026 proposed budget. But before opening the public hearing, I'm going to turn things over to Mr. Andy Bowman, our Assistant Chief Financial Officer, and Jacob Sumner, our Chief Financial Officer. Welcome. Good evening to the Chair and the Board and members of the public and thank you for the introduction. Before we open the public hearing, I have a summary of the proposed fiscal year 26 budget. I will say if you've been to one of our community town halls or if you've been to the initial uh budget work session where the county executive presented the budget, he's about 45 minutes where he's really gone in detail about everything the budget does, the investments, and why we've gotten there. Uh tonight, I'm going to be more abbreviated in my approach where I'm really going to hit the highlights. Uh, but certainly after the public hearing, if the board has questions or would like to follow up on other items, we can go into those as well. Uh so uh again, this is just a public hearing. There is no action that is being requested by the Board of Supervisors tonight. That action will occur on May 7th when the Board of Supervisors adopts and appropriates the budget. Jacob Sumner, Chief Financial Officer. Um, for the audience that may be join us today for the public hearing, we do have a one-pager uh overview of the budget that's here at the sign-up sheet. And so if uh you would like to have that as part of uh uh in your possession um as for tonight, um, that is available um at the signup sheet. Thank you. And to continue. Thanks. Thank you. Uh so I'd like to start these budget presentations about what is really the path behind us and the path ahead. Uh over the last two months, the board has invested a lot of time into this budget. Uh, this is the start of the 34th hour of a public meeting that we've had after all of our town halls and work sessions. And it is evident that the Board of Supervisors themselves invest a tremendous amount of their own time in the budget. We can see that from the depth and the breadth of their questions. We have on our website a lot of questions staff was able unable to answer on the spot, but those are all posted there for transparency. Uh tonight is a public hearing on the budget. Next week will be a public hearing on the uh property tax rates. Those are two separate hearings due to Virginia Code that requires them to be held at two separate times. And then again on May 7th, we will uh request the board to prove an appropriate budget. As I walk through the highlights of the budget and where those investments are, we're gonna orient a lot of this around the board's strategic plan that was adopted in the fall of 2022. Uh fiscal year twenty-six will be the third year of the board's strategic five-year strategic plan that runs through fiscal year twenty-eight. And uh, we've highlighted here where most of my comments tonight will be around the uh the really the three goals on the left safety and well-being, workforce and customer service, and education and learning, because those are some of the largest budget drivers uh where the new revenues are going. Uh, there's certainly uh efforts to move forward with existing funding, um, other uh actions that may uh be more uh implementing the existing plans. Uh but really those first three on the left is where a lot of the comments will be focused. Uh before we look at the expenditure side, it's appropriate that we look at the revenues. Uh the budget is balanced as required by law uh for counties of Virginia, and it is done so based on these proposed rates. The real property rate is an increase of four cents at 89.4 cents of 100 dollars in assessed value.

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