Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – October 21, 2026

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors met on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in Lane Auditorium. The available transcript covers the evening portion of the meeting: the County Executive’s community report, public comment, two public hearings, authorization of an SCC letter, and committee reports. Earlier agenda items and the consent agenda are not included in the transcript.

County Executive Report

• County Executive Jeffrey Richardson highlighted community events from September and October 2026, including United Way’s Day of Caring, Seize the Day at Walnut Creek Park, a historical marker unveiling for B.F. Yancey Elementary School and Esmont High School, Party for the Planet, Fire Prevention Week, Coffee with a Cop, and upcoming Trunk or Treat events.
• He reported that Rivanna Solid Waste Authority’s fall household hazardous waste collection days attracted 871 vehicles, including 651 from the county, and collected 113,000 pounds of hazardous waste.
• He noted that the spring National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collected 642,400 pounds of medication nationwide and 721 pounds locally in Albemarle County.
• He also announced a Three Notch Trail public meeting on October 26, 2026, and a prescription drug take-back event on October 24, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

Six members of the public spoke during the evening public comment period.

• Nancy Muir (White Hall District) expressed opposition to the proposed state constitutional amendments, particularly the reproductive freedom amendment, and argued that ballot language is not objective and that voters need clearer, nonpartisan descriptions of the amendments.
• Sage Bradburn thanked the Board for getting involved as interveners in the transmission line case and urged the Board to send a letter opposing the Dominion Energy–NextEra Energy merger. She argued that the merger would expose Virginia ratepayers to financial risk from NextEra’s unregulated businesses and reduce local control over Virginia energy decisions.
• Connie Sylvester (Jack Jouett District) thanked the Board for its October 15 resolution regarding schools, but said a resolution is not enough. She urged the Board to use its budget authority to separate and cap funding for top school administration, condition local tax dollars on milestones such as completing a foyer audit and launching a whistleblower hotline, and create an independent citizen oversight committee.
• Richard Sylvester (Jack Jouett District) opposed the proposed one percent sales tax increase on the ballot. He said raising the sales tax from 5.3% to 6.3% would be an 18.8% increase, that it bypasses regular voter oversight, and that it would hurt seniors, marginalized communities, and recent graduates. He urged voters to vote no on the referendum.
• Jo Ellen Pizarchik (White Hall District) called for greater accountability in Albemarle County Public Schools, including an independent forensic audit of district expenditures, employment separations, NDAs, and administrative settlements. She cited Virginia Code 22.1-91 and argued the Board should condition discretionary school funding on measurable accountability steps.
• Tom Dale (Rio District, online) urged the Board to send a comment letter to the State Corporation Commission opposing the Dominion Energy–NextEra Energy merger. He quoted the SCC staff report recommending denial, saying the merger would put Virginia ratepayers at risk for costs related to NextEra’s non-regulated businesses and would not guarantee adequate service at just and reasonable rates.

Public Hearing: Volunteer Fire/EMS Vehicle Tax Relief

• Staff presented two proposed ordinances to amend County Code Chapter 15 to provide a separate personal property tax rate and vehicle license fee for one motor vehicle owned or leased by active volunteer fire or emergency medical services members.
• The proposal would set the tax rate at $0.00 per $100 of assessed value and the vehicle license fee at $0.00 for one qualifying vehicle, effective January 1, 2027, under Virginia Code §58.1-3506.
• Jennifer Matheny, recently promoted to Assistant Chief Financial Officer, explained that the current program provides a $300 credit under ACFR Policy 1041 but is not in county code and is administratively cumbersome. The proposed program would be codified, automated, and tied to one specific motor vehicle.
• Staff reported that of the 148 volunteers currently receiving the $300 credit, 25% would see no change, 15% who currently apply the credit to non-vehicle personal property would be affected, and 60% would receive an increased benefit.
• The projected total vehicle tax relief for tax year 2026 is $84,466, including $47,210 in additional relief. The budget impact would increase from approximately $43,800 to $84,466.
• Eligibility would require the volunteer to be in good standing, with no delinquent county taxes, licenses, or fees, and to provide certification from the volunteer chief by January 31 each year.
• The program would apply only to volunteer stations in Albemarle County; City of Charlottesville Fire Department and Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad volunteers would not be eligible.
• No members of the public signed up to speak.
• The Board adopted both ordinances by unanimous 6–0 roll-call votes.

Public Hearing: Conveyance of County-Owned Parcels to the Economic Development Authority

• The Board held a public hearing on the proposed conveyance of approximately 82.028 acres, consisting of portions of County-owned parcels 33-1D, 33-1, and 33-10, to the Albemarle County Economic Development Authority (EDA).
• Staff explained that the property, known as Land Bay 82 at Rivanna Futures, is part of the site that AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP plans to develop. Conveyance to the EDA would allow the EDA to provide incentives and ultimately transfer the property to AstraZeneca.
• Economic Development Director Emily Kilray described the broader Rivanna Futures project, including more than $30 million in state grants, the planned $4.5 billion AstraZeneca facility, about 600 high-quality jobs, the Boulders Road extension, and $40 million in workforce investment.
• Deputy County Attorney Jenny Teevendale stated that the county and EDA entered a memorandum of understanding on April 23, 2025. The proposed resolution would authorize the County Executive to sign a memorandum of agreement with the EDA. The purchase and sale agreement and performance agreement are still being negotiated.
• The EDA is scheduled to take action on November 17, 2026, and the anticipated closing date for the transaction is December 15, 2026.
• No members of the public signed up to speak.
• The Board adopted the revised resolution dated October 20, 2026, by a unanimous 6–0 roll-call vote.

Board Action: Letter Requesting SCC Denial of Dominion–NextEra Merger

• Supervisor Mallek (rendered as “Malik” in the transcript) requested authorization for the Chair to sign a letter to the State Corporation Commission requesting denial of the Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy merger.
• The transcript notes that the deadline to participate as a party had passed, but the letter would be submitted as a public comment.
• The Board authorized the Chair to sign the letter in opposition to the merger by a unanimous 6–0 roll-call vote.

Committee Reports & Other Board Matters

• Supervisor Mallek reported on the Rural Prosperity Conference in Lexington, support for a bottle bill, work on hauler licensing for solid waste, and a desire for written verification of school board actions.
• Supervisor LaPisto-Kirtley reported on the CAC 29 North meeting, a planned trail extension along the Rivanna River, an EDA grant supporting a Go Virginia wine supply chain study, and an upcoming SCC transmission line hearing.
• Supervisor Missel reported on the Agricultural and Forestal District meeting, including a presentation from local company Haley Chisholm & Morris.
• Supervisor Pruitt reported that he attended the Virginia statewide legal aid conference and discussed housing, consolidation, and consumer-protection challenges facing the public.

The Board adjourned to October 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 241 for a joint meeting with the Scottsville Town Council.