Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Special Legislative Forum

On December 1, 2025, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors held a special legislative forum with state legislators Delegate Amy Laufer and Delegate Tracy Pepper (representing Senator Creigh Deeds) to discuss the county’s legislative priorities, economic development, and transportation funding. The forum featured presentations from county staff, board member comments, and a Q&A session. Key topics included the Rivanna Futures/AstraZeneca project, transportation funding challenges, the county’s 2026 legislative program, and a resolution honoring outgoing Supervisor Diantha McKeel.

Rivanna Futures and AstraZeneca Brief

• Emily Kilroy, Director of Economic Development, presented an overview of the Rivanna Futures project, which has positioned the county to attract AstraZeneca. The project involves land acquisition adjacent to Rivanna Station (a military installation) and has received $11 million in state site-readiness funding. AstraZeneca will build a biopharmaceutical manufacturing campus on 82 acres, creating 600 direct jobs (minimum salary $125,000/year), an estimated 3,000 construction jobs, and a capital investment of $4.5 billion. The company’s multiplier effect is expected to generate 5 indirect jobs per direct job. AstraZeneca plans to incorporate sustainable building practices, including solar panels and closed-loop systems.
• Board members expressed strong support, noting the project’s transformational potential for the local economy and job opportunities for families.

Transportation Funding Discussion

• Kevin McDermott, Deputy Director of Planning, presented on transportation funding challenges, focusing on the state’s Smart Scale program. He noted that statewide Smart Scale funding has not kept pace with inflation, with only 53 projects funded statewide in the most recent round. The Culpeper District (which includes Albemarle) saw only 4 projects funded. Albemarle County has 165 transportation priorities but can only submit 4 applications per round via Smart Scale. Project costs have risen significantly—e.g., a roundabout estimated at $13 million in 2022 increased 30% by 2024. Maintenance costs are also rising, squeezing the construction budget.
• Supervisor Ned Gallaway led board comments, emphasizing that transportation funding is a bipartisan issue and that the current system is inadequate. He called for increased funding and solutions beyond mileage-based user fees. Other supervisors echoed concerns about road maintenance, safety, and the need for a “Governor of the moment” to champion transportation investment. Supervisor Ann Mallek highlighted the link between housing development and transportation capacity. Supervisor Bea LaPisto-Kirtley noted that the fuel tax is no longer sufficient due to fuel efficiency and electric vehicles.
• Delegate Laufer acknowledged the board’s frustration but noted that transportation is not her primary committee; she offered to share slides from a finance retreat. Delegate Pepper (for Senator Deeds) said she would relay the message and noted that the state budget faces many pressures, including Medicaid and K-12 rebenchmarking.

2026 Legislative Program and Legislative Positions

• County Attorney Andy Herrick presented the county’s 2026 legislative program, which was restructured to include four priorities and 28 legislative positions (down from 50). The four priorities are:
  1. Enable localities to enforce the Virginia Landlord Tenant Act (local option).
  2. Expand authority for photo speed monitoring devices beyond school and construction zones.
  3. Allow a local referendum on a one-cent sales tax for school construction (repeat request, vetoed by governor in prior years).
  4. Budget amendment for $1.5 million to construct a trail in Biscuit Run Park (state-owned, county-leased).
• The program also includes principles and positions on broadband, economic development, growth management, environmental protection, land use, transportation, health, housing, finance, and public safety, all seeking increased local authority and opposing unfunded mandates.
• Delegate Laufer expressed confidence that the sales tax referendum would pass this year given new governor and supermajority support. She noted that the speed camera bill is still being refined (privacy concerns, revenue use). She agreed to check on the landlord-tenant bill with Delegate Price. She will also carry the Biscuit Run budget amendment again.
• Board members provided supporting arguments: Supervisor Mallek shared a story about a tenant in a leaking mobile home with no recourse. Supervisor McKeel emphasized that speed cameras improve safety on rural roads where enforcement is difficult. Supervisor Pruitt added that the board also supports sunsetting development approvals and biosolids regulation, but those are not in the formal priorities.

Legislators’ Priorities / Questions & Answers

• Delegate Laufer outlined her own priorities: pharmacy benefit manager reform, board of visitors governance for public universities, and other bills. She noted that the state is likely to see major debates on energy, data centers, and retail marijuana.
• Delegate Pepper (for Senator Deeds) said Senator Deeds will carry bills on energy/data centers, criminal justice reform, gun violence prevention, higher education governance, and behavioral health. She also noted that Senator Deeds has a bill limit of 15-25.
• Board members raised concerns about data centers, with Supervisor Andrews explaining the county’s approach (by-right up to 40,000 sq ft in certain areas, larger require special use permit). Supervisor Mallek urged legislators to preserve local authority on land use decisions, including solar siting and housing density mandates.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken, but the board and legislators expressed alignment on several priorities. Delegate Laufer committed to pursuing the sales tax referendum, speed camera legislation, and Biscuit Run funding. She will also coordinate with Delegate Price on the landlord-tenant enforcement bill.
• The board will continue to advocate for transportation funding reform at the state level.
• A joint resolution honoring Supervisor Diantha McKeel for her 28 years of service (12 on the Board of Supervisors, 16 on the School Board) was presented by Delegate Laufer and Delegate Pepper (on behalf of Senator Deeds). The resolution will be entered into the permanent records of the General Assembly.

Adjournment

• The meeting adjourned at approximately 12:00 PM, with the next meeting scheduled for December 3, 2025, at 1:00 PM.