Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting - October 15, 2025

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors met on October 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium. The meeting included a consent agenda, an economic outlook report, a public safety staffing work session, a federal advocacy presentation, a closed meeting, public comments, and the final adoption of the AC 44 Comprehensive Plan. Key highlights included recognition of retiring Fire Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston, approval of the new comprehensive plan, and a presentation on the AstraZeneca investment at Rivanna Futures.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved by recorded vote: Approval of minutes from seven meetings (January 15 through April 7, 2025), voting credentials for the 2025 VACo Annual Business Meeting, and quarterly reports from the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA) and Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA).

Public Comments & Testimony

• First Session (1:00 PM): Sophie Massey (Samuel Miller District) spoke in support of adopting a biosolids ordinance, citing PFAS contamination in private wells and her own well test results above EPA recommended levels. She urged the board to protect rural drinking water.
• Second Session (6:00 PM):
  • Alicia Lenahan (Scottsville District) raised concerns about threats to democratic institutions, including the use of ICE and National Guard, and asked the board to clarify whom the county would protect if protests were disrupted. She urged a statement of principle on immigrant and refugee neighbors.
  • William Therion (Rio District) referenced a February 2025 shooting in Crozet and the recent public safety staffing study, arguing that the department’s workload (3–5 simultaneous calls) creates risks for officers and the public. He called for immediate action within 6–12 months rather than a 5-year plan.
• Public Hearing on AC 44 Comprehensive Plan (6:00 PM): Six speakers addressed the board:
  • Rob McGuinness (Piedmont Environmental Council) praised the plan’s growth management but expressed concerns about land swaps and the lack of criteria. He urged starting an impact assessment for the innovation corridor.
  • Neil Williamson (Free Enterprise Forum) called the plan “confused and conflicted” and urged separating future land use map and development boundary updates from the comprehensive plan process.
  • Stuart Overby (Don’t Spread on Me) thanked the board for including a biosolids ordinance study in AC 44, but stressed urgency given federal and state inaction on PFAS.
  • Tom Olivier (Samuel Miller District) opposed land swaps and TDR programs, and urged creation of a separate planning department for open space and environmental impact evaluation.
  • Tom Locher (Crozet) argued the plan will lead to “death by a thousand cuts” of rural land, criticized the land use tax subsidy program, and suggested shifting tax dollars to conservation.
  • Carol Courtney (Southern Environmental Law Center) supported the standalone growth management chapter but echoed concerns about land swap provisions.

Discussion Items

Economic Outlook Report (1:30 PM)

• Presenter: Dr. Sheryl Bailey (Virginia Tech). Key findings: U.S. economy is slowing but not in recession; Virginia’s economy has cooled faster than the nation; Albemarle County has a solid economic base due to higher per capita income, lower unemployment, and strong healthcare and DOD employment. The labor market is in a “low hire, low fire” phase, with job growth averaging 75,000/month (down from 168,000 in 2024). Inflation is ticking up (CPI ~2.9%), and the Fed faces a stagflation environment. Recommendations: stick to basics, maintain robust scenario planning, and continue prudent financial management.
• Board discussion: Supervisor Pruitt questioned the timing of tariff impacts, the housing market, and potential multi-industry bubbles. Supervisor McKeel noted concerns about reduced federal data availability. Supervisor Galloway asked about planning for unknown unknowns and indirect state impacts. Supervisor LaPisto-Kirtley highlighted housing affordability challenges and the need for process streamlining.

Public Safety Staffing Studies Work Session (2:45 PM)

• Presenter: Robert Graff (ESCI). The study assessed police and fire departments. Key findings: Both departments face staffing shortages; police manage 3–5 simultaneous incidents, fire uses “dynamic staffing” (reducing coverage at rural stations due to shortages). Recommendations are tiered (short, mid, long-term) and focus on core stability, leadership development, and sustainability. Expected implementation timeline: 5–7 years.
• Board comments: Supervisor Pruitt acknowledged staffing challenges as a national trend and emphasized supporting volunteers as assets. Supervisor McKeel questioned the term “dynamic staffing” and learned it refers to brownouts. Supervisor LaPisto-Kirtley supported separate work sessions for police and fire. Supervisor Galloway requested more board interaction beyond budget discussions. County Executive Richardson asked for time to internally digest the report before scheduling further sessions.

Federal Advocacy Presentation (4:15 PM)

• Presenters: Trevor Henry (Deputy County Executive) and Jacob Johnson (Roosevelt Group). Provided update on federal landscape: government shutdown, delayed FY26 appropriations, and FY27 priorities. Key priorities: Boulders Road extension for Rivanna Futures, Safer grant support, dam safety funding, and Biscuit Run pedestrian bridge. Recommended direct engagement with congressional delegation.
• Board feedback: Supervisor Pruitt inquired about tracking appropriated funds through agency disbursement. Supervisor McKeel requested a copy of the presentation. Supervisor Galloway noted the NACO legislative conference in February 2026 as a coordination opportunity.

County Executive Report (6:00 PM)

• County Executive Richardson recognized 86 staff members with a combined 1,140 years of service, including Kim Harris (25 years in social services) and the Copy Center team. Highlighted the AstraZeneca announcement at Rivanna Futures: a $4.5 billion biopharmaceutical campus on 75 acres, creating 600 direct jobs with a minimum salary of $125,000 (average $160,000). This is expected to increase commercial/industrial tax base from ~11% to over 15% by 2030.
• Board praise: Supervisors thanked staff and emphasized the transformative impact on career opportunities and tax diversification.

AC 44 Comprehensive Plan Final Adoption (6:00 PM)

• Planning Manager Tonya Swartzendruber presented notable changes: updated language on development area assessment criteria, updated future land use map (Sweet Spot property), clarified housing data, and incorporated Planning Commission recommendations. The plan includes “big moves” to guide future work plans.
• Board amendments and votes:
  • Supervisor Malik moved to remove a last-minute map change (property on Monica Trail). Motion failed (3-3? No, vote was 3 against? Actually recorded: Ms. Mallek yes, Ms. McKeel no, Mr. Pruitt no, Mr. Andrews yes, Mr. Galloway no, Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley nay. So 2 yes, 4 no? Wait: Ms. Mallek (yes), Ms. McKeel (no), Mr. Pruitt (no), Mr. Andrews (yes), Mr. Galloway (no), Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley (nay). That’s 2 yes, 4 no. Motion failed.
  • Supervisor Malik moved to remove language on land swaps (inclusion as elements). Motion seconded. After discussion, Supervisor Pruitt offered an amendment to add a sentence that property owner-initiated amendments may not include additions to the development area. The amendment passed (Ms. Mallek yes, Ms. McKeel no, Mr. Pruitt aye, Mr. Andrews yes, Mr. Galloway yes, Ms. LaPisto-Kirtley no – so 4 yes? Actually count: yes: Mallek, Pruitt, Andrews, Galloway = 4; no: McKeel, LaPisto-Kirtley = 2. Passed.) The main motion (to remove land swap language) then? The transcript shows after the amendment, they moved to the vote on the comprehensive plan. It appears the motion to remove land swap language was not called separately after the amendment; instead the board proceeded to the final adoption.
  • Final adoption: Motion by Supervisor Malik, second by Supervisor McKeel, to adopt CPA 2021-02 and the comprehensive plan as revised October 15, 2025. Passed unanimously (all yes: Mallek, McKeel, Pruitt, Andrews, Galloway, LaPisto-Kirtley).

Key Outcomes

• Economic Outlook: The board received the report; no formal action taken.
• Public Safety Staffing: The board acknowledged the report and requested additional work sessions (police and fire separately) to inform budget decisions.
• Federal Advocacy: The board supported continued engagement and directed staff to schedule delegation meetings, potentially during the NACO conference in February 2026.
• AstraZeneca Announcement: The board celebrated the investment and recognized staff efforts.
• AC 44 Comprehensive Plan Adopted: Approved unanimously with an amendment clarifying that property owner-initiated comprehensive plan changes cannot include additions to the development area.
• Biosolids Ordinance: Supervisor Malik raised the topic for future consideration; board expressed interest in further discussion.
• Cigarette Tax Board Update: Supervisor Galloway reported that Albemarle County collected nearly $746,000 in FY25 from the regional cigarette tax.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 PM to the next regular meeting on November 5, 2025.