Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors met on November 19, 2025, beginning with a work session at 2:00 p.m. in the Administration Building, followed by an evening session at 6:00 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room. The agenda included routine approvals, annual departmental updates, new business, a citizen comment period, and multiple zoning cases, including a major discussion on the Shady Hill mobile home park rezoning.
Good afternoon and welcome to the afternoon session of the November nineteenth Board of Supervisors meeting. Madam Clerk. Mr. Chair, the first item on the agenda is approval of minutes for the October twenty second and November twelfth Board of Supervisors meetings. Can I get a motion? So moved. Second. All in favor. Item two request to postpone agenda items in additions, deletions, or changes in the order of presentation. Staff has one request. We would like to add item thirteen A two appointment to the Capitol Region Airport Commission. That is all we have. I wasn't expecting the camera angle can just go a little higher for the public. Uh you know, there's many ways in which people can stay in mental and physical shape, and and Mary will be reflecting on some of that as part of our annual update later, but just as one example, uh more than 100 employees actually participated in the Marquel corporate run this year, and for many that I've talked to, they just found that just such a uh an inspiring moment of just togetherness amongst uh workers, many of them who may not have met or known each other prior to that. So, with that said, uh Ms. Martin Selby. Thank you, Dr. Casey. Um, while Caleb is here today to be recognized, there's been a slight change in plans. And Caleb is aware. We certainly appreciate the work that Caleb's done uh to advance the county's wellness initiative, and we hope uh we look forward to honoring them uh at a later date. Today, however, we wish to recognize an individual whose steady daily commitment has profoundly shaped the culture and well-being of Chesterfield County's workforce. Over the past nine years, this person has led and supported initiatives that quietly but powerfully improve the lives of our employees. They have championed efforts that foster a positive work culture, including enhanced leave benefits, such as 40 hours of paid leave for all new employees at the time of hire, paid parental leave and expanded bereavement leave, professional growth opportunities, including career development for almost all frontline employees. And then there are the small but meaningful gestures, opening the former executive parking lot to all staff on a first come, first served basis, personally welcoming new employees at nearly every new employee orientation, leading the effort to open a new fitness center for county employees, showing up for employees and their families during times of illness and loss. Taken together, these actions have made a lasting difference, not for individuals, but for the spirit of our organization. Last month's employee engagement survey offered external validation of these efforts. An independent reviewer told us they had not seen results like ours among comparable organizations this year. And while many workplaces are seeing declining engagement, ours is improving. Employees report feeling valued, treated fairly, and deeply connected to the purpose of their work. They also share that communication from county leadership is clear, consistent, and supportive. These results did not happen by chance. They reflect the leadership of someone who makes the right connections, hires thoughtfully, encourages innovation, and keeps people at the center of every decision. His leadership is reflected in three simple, consistent phrases he offers to those who work with him. Number one, is there anything I can do for you? Number two, we will figure it out together. And number three, take care of yourself. These words embody a willingness to listen, a commitment to partnership, and a genuine concern for employee well-being. He understands both his role and his responsibility to people. Because this leader has created a safe environment where people feel empowered to take creative risk, we are stepping slightly off script today to honor someone who does not receive recognition often in this way. And if for some reason this presentation doesn't land the way that it was intended, Mr. Chair, members of the board, please know that Matt Harris instructed me to do this. Dr. Joe Casey, your steady leadership, deep compassion, and unwavering commitment to our employees have been catalysts for excellence across our organization.