Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting

The Board of Supervisors met on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium. The meeting included a proclamation, public comments, consent agenda, action items on the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF), a budget work session, a bond issuance resolution, and public hearings on land use items. Key outcomes included approval of AHIF projects, direction to advertise a 15-cent personal property tax increase for affordable housing, approval of a $156.55 million bond issuance, and approval of the Hollymead Town Center and Sieg Property rezoning requests.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda (items 8.1-8.4) by a recorded vote. Items included approval of minutes (November 5, November 19, December 10, 2025), scheduling a public hearing for fee schedule amendments, Rivanna Solid Waste Authority FY27 fees, and a VDOT project administration agreement for Rivanna Futures.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gary Grant (Rio District): Criticized the FY27 recommended budget of $724 million, citing a 6% average reassessment increase and low public trust based on a 2023 community survey (only 36% rate quality of life as excellent, 7% rate board leadership as excellent). Called for more accountability and data-driven reporting.
• Tom Strasburg (Rio District): Supported full funding ($11,000) for the Charlottesville Band, noting its free concerts, youth incentives, and community services. Pointed out a 37.5% reduction in requested funding.
• Janasha Bradford (Jack Jouett District): Represented Mahogany and Friends Foundation, seeking funding for financial literacy programs. Reported serving over 500 youth and adults, with financial knowledge increasing from 42% to over 90%.
• Taylor McCloyd: Development director of Computers for Kids (C4K), requested $25,000 to avoid loss of transportation and mentoring services for Albemarle County students. Noted that 36% of participants are county students and that C4K is the only provider of free one-to-one STEM/STEAM mentoring in the region.
• Michael Monaco (White Hall District): Expressed support for affordable housing funding but urged a long-term strategy. Cited that over half of renters are cost-burdened and 95% of renters earning $20-35K are cost-burdened. Recommended increasing the dedicated 0.4 cents for AHIF.
• Otis Amory (Jack Jouett District): Expressed concern about $120 million in new debt and an additional $340 million projected in FY27-31, calling it a significant burden on taxpayers.
• Public Comments (Evening Session):
  • Susan McCullough (Samuel Miller District): Supported the board's February letter to federal delegation regarding ICE actions but urged clearer commitments on how the county will protect residents from federal overreach.
  • Alysia Lanahan (Scottsville District): Criticized the board's response to federal immigration actions, arguing that inaction compromises with evil. Referenced Virginia's history of massive resistance to Brown v. Board.
  • Henry Perrett (Rivanna District): Urged rejection of the bond referendum, arguing it violates the golden rule of public finance by funding short-term projects and operating expenses, and creates a future funding obligation.
  • Jennifer Winslow (Jack Jouett District): Represented Lighthouse Studio, requesting restoration of funding for educational programs and Vinegar Hill Theater. Cited that 43% of theater rentals serve county-based or county-serving partners.
  • Phil Reese (Rivanna District): Criticized the $118 million bond issuance as bypassing voter approval, noting higher interest costs. Claimed the interest rate difference is 48 basis points, costing $11 million more than if done via referendum.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation Recognizing March as Red Cross Month: Unanimously adopted. Bill Fisher, board vice chair of the Red Cross Central Virginia chapter, thanked the board. County Executive Richardson noted the Red Cross response to a home gas explosion in Glenmore in August 2025, which involved 80 first responders, 11 homes deemed uninhabitable, and 41 damaged homes.
• Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) Proposed Projects (Item 9): Staff presented revisions to the scoring process, removing per-unit cost and correcting a duplicated affordability score. Four projects were recommended for funding (total $3,969,000):
  • Support Works: $377,970 for 80 units of permanent supportive housing.
  • Habitat for Humanity: $1,211,464 in grants and $450,000 in low-cost loans for 20 deeply affordable rental units.
  • LEAP: $679,124 for 70 units of housing preservation focusing on energy efficiency.
  • Salvation Army: $110,000 for 7 family shelter units (staff-initiated). Supervisor Mallek expressed disappointment that the Southwood homeownership program (Woda Cooper) was not funded due to dearth of funds. The board discussed process improvements for future cycles. Motion to approve the four projects carried unanimously.
• FY27 Operating and Capital Budget Work Session (Item 10): Staff presented technical adjustments and board-requested items. Key discussion points:
  • Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) savings ($151,000): Board voted 4-2 to place in a transit contingency reserve (Option C). Supervisors Gallaway, Lapisto-Kirtley, Missel, and Duncan supported; Supervisor Pruitt opposed.
  • Albemarle County Emergency Relief Program (ACERP): Discussed current funding of $360,000 vs. need. Supervisor Pruitt flagged as priority. No immediate decision; will be revisited.
  • Nonprofit Funding: Board debated adjustments to human services, arts/cultural, and community capital requests. Supervisors expressed support for increasing funding for Offender Aid Restoration (OAR) therapeutic docket and Foothills Child Advocacy Center, and restoring funding for Charlottesville Ballet and Charlottesville Band to prior levels. Staff indicated these would be considered within available reserves.
  • Affordable Housing Fund (AHIF): Supervisor Pruitt moved to advertise a 1-cent real estate tax increase dedicated to AHIF (failed 3-3). He then moved to advertise a 29-cent personal property tax increase (failed 3-3). Later, Supervisor Missel moved to advertise a 15-cent increase on personal property tax dedicated to AHIF; motion carried 5-1.
  • Public Schools Budget: The board adopted the county executive's recommendation (Option A) for the school operating fund ($218M transfer) and one-time transfer to CIP ($4.1M). Motion carried 5-1.
  • Tax Rate Advertisement: Advertised real estate tax rate at $0.894 per $100 (current recommendation). Advertised personal property tax rate at $4.43 per $100 (15-cent increase) for all three categories (tangible personal property, miscellaneous/incidental, machinery and tools) dedicated to AHIF. Motion carried 5-1.
• Bond Issuance Resolution (Item 15): Resolution authorized $156.55 million in bonds: $118.14 million for capital projects (70% school, 30% local government), $24.9 million to refund a portion of the 2023 bond anticipation note (Rivanna Futures property), and $13.5 million to refund 2015 bonds (potential $400,000 savings). Discussion included comparing general obligation bonds vs. revenue bonds; staff noted negligible rate difference due to county's AAA rating. Motion to adopt carried unanimously.
• FY26 Budget Amendment and Appropriation (Item 16): Public hearing held, no speakers. Approved $39.5 million budget amendment, primarily for debt and capital improvement fund appropriations related to the bond issuance.
• Hollymead Town Center Area C Amendment (ZMA-2025-00006) (Item 17): Applicant sought to add 40 dwelling units and reduce non-residential square footage in Block 9 to zero. Staff recommended approval; planning commission voted 7-0 in favor. Public hearing held, no speakers. Motion to approve carried unanimously.
• Utility Easements on County Parcel (SUB-2025-00176) (Item 18): Authorization for two easements (total 1,666 sq ft) to allow sewer connections for Belvedere phases 4 and 5. Public hearing held, no speakers. Motion to approve carried unanimously.
• Sieg Property Rezoning (ZMA-2022-00002) (Item 19): Request to rezone 62.4 acres from R1 and HC to Neighborhood Model District for mixed-use development (275-600 residential units, up to 440,000 sq ft commercial, 20% affordable housing at 60% and 80% AMI). Also requested disturbance of 3.6 acres of preserved steep slopes for infrastructure. Staff identified concern about school capacity at Red Hill Elementary (projected 54 additional students). Planning commission recommended approval 5-2. Public hearing held; applicant presented. Discussion focused on traffic, pedestrian safety, and school impacts. Supervisor Missel opposed, citing unresolved transportation issues at Exit 118. Motion to approve carried 5-1.

Key Outcomes

• Red Cross Month Proclamation adopted unanimously.
• AHIF Funding approved for four projects: Support Works, Habitat for Humanity, LEAP, and Salvation Army (total $3,969,000).
• Budget Direction:
  • Advertise FY27 proposed budget including personal property tax rate of $4.43 per $100 (15-cent increase dedicated to AHIF).
  • Adopt county executive's recommended real estate tax rate of $0.894 per $100.
  • Option C for CAT savings (transit contingency reserve).
  • Maintain Option A for public school funding (county executive recommendation).
• Bond Issuance authorized for $156.55 million.
• ZMA-2025-00006 (Hollymead Town Center) approved.
• SUB-2025-00176 (Utility Easements) approved.
• ZMA-2022-00002 (Sieg Property) approved with 5-1 vote.
• Next meeting scheduled for April 1, 2026, at 1:00 PM.