Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Meeting - February 25, 2026

The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors held a combined work session and evening meeting on February 25, 2026, covering state legislative updates, budget and utilities proposals, recognitions, and action on a voting location ordinance and zoning cases. The board adopted an emergency ordinance for an additional satellite absentee voting location, approved consent agenda items, denied a multifamily zoning amendment, and recognized retiring employees and public safety achievements.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of January 28 meeting.
• Accepted parcels of land adjacent to Cosby Road and Old Otterdale Road.
• Conveyed easements for school bus loops for VDOT maintenance.
• Quitclaimed portions of water easements.
• Set public hearings for March 11, 2026: surplus property at 14351 Bermuda Orchard Lane, lease amendment for baseball facility at James River High School, eminent domain for River Road sidewalk, Meadowdale Boulevard bike/pedestrian improvements, and Woolridge Road widening.
• Set public hearings for March 25, 2026: private well setbacks, utility rate changes, and tax rate advertisements.
• Accepted $2.7 million grant from Virginia Department of Aviation for airport ramp project.
• Authorized submission of FY2027 Opioid Abatement Authority funding applications.
• Accepted state roads, authorized BUILD grant resolution for Powhite Parkway extension, awarded contracts for construction engineering and Walton Park waterline improvements, and endorsed Smart Scale projects.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sarah Saunders (Midlothian resident, attorney, Chesterfield Citizens for Responsible Government): Expressed concerns about rapid growth, runaway spending (county spending growth 2.84 times CPI since 2019), real estate tax burden on families and retirees, lack of return on economic development investments, impact of data centers on infrastructure and taxes, and a planning department that is failing to manage development.
• Jerry Turner (citizen): Requested that advisory committee members be better recognized during evening sessions and that larger name tags be used at committee meetings. Later, during the Bella at Westchester zoning hearing, he noted the roundabout's dangers and suggested the applicant be allowed to fix it if apartments are built.

Recognitions & Awards

• Valor Awards: The board recognized firefighters Captain John Jacobson, Firefighter Joe Sims, and Firefighter Tyler Younce (Virginia Task Force 8) for rescuing eight individuals and five pets during Hurricane Helene in Southwest Virginia, performing welfare checks on 90 residents, and posting evacuation notices at over 100 structures.
• National Night Out: Corporal Eckrich reported that Chesterfield placed third nationally for the second consecutive year among jurisdictions of 300,000+ residents, with nearly 11,000 participants at 90 parties.
• CALEA Tri-Arc Accreditation: Travis Parrish from CALEA presented accreditation certificates for the Chesterfield County Police Department, training academy, and communications center, noting the agency's voluntary commitment to high standards.
• Retirement Resolutions:
  • Yvonne A. Hill: Retired after 30+ years from Mental Health Support Services; recognized for her work in adoption, independent living, and trauma-informed care.
  • Captain Randolph F. "Randy" Horowitz: Retired after 43 years from the Police Department; recognized for his work in investigations, internal affairs, and community bridge-building, including his partnership with Virginia State University.
  • Gerard J. Duffy: Retired after 37 years from Environmental Engineering; recognized for his work in stormwater management, emergency response, and infrastructure projects.
• My Chesterfield Academy: Recognized 15 graduates from the community engagement program (9 countries of origin). Gracie Gill, a graduate and community outreach manager at YWCA Richmond, delivered remarks on the importance of the program for immigrant leadership.

State Legislative Update

Natalie Spillman and Ms. Walker provided an update on the 2026 General Assembly session. Key topics:

• Collective Bargaining: The board voiced strong opposition to state-mandated collective bargaining, arguing it is an unfunded mandate that would cost Chesterfield approximately $0.28 on the real estate tax rate (a 33% increase). The county prefers local control, as existing 2020 law already allows localities to opt in. Bills are expected to reach the Governor's desk.
• Multifamily By-Right Zoning (SB 454 / HB 318): The board unanimously opposed these bills, which would allow multifamily development by right on 75% of land zoned commercial, residential, and agricultural, effectively eviscerating local zoning. Speakers emphasized the loss of infrastructure control, business disruption, and lack of affordability guarantees.
• VRS Enhanced Benefits for 911 Dispatchers: Failed again this year.
• Other Bills: Waiver of sovereign immunity for speed cameras failed; housing targets and adequate public facilities bills died; teacher salary and school construction sales tax bills pending.
• State Budget: House and Senate budgets are about $1 billion apart. Proposed 2% salary increases for teachers and state employees (House) and 3% (Senate). Senate provided flexibility for local matching but at a cost to the county. SNAP error rate funding and K-12 supplements included. Other topics discussed include the retail market for cannabis, additional judgeships, and Richmond water infrastructure funding.

Richmond Region Tourism Update

Catherine O'Donnell and Danielle Fitz reported that in 2024, visitors spent nearly $4 billion in the region (5% increase), supporting nearly 30,000 jobs. Chesterfield saw a 6.4% increase in visitor spending, generating $31.5 million in local taxes and about 6,500 jobs. Sports tourism remains a major draw. The Tourism Improvement District (TID) funded year-round advertising, including billboards and digital campaigns that drove over $1 million in trackable economic impact for Chesterfield. New initiatives include the Mimosa Trail, Always Revolutionary campaign for the 250th anniversary, and continued partnership with the airport. The RVA Sports Awards are scheduled, and the annual meeting will be May 13.

FY2027 Budget & Utilities Updates

• Budget Process: Matt Harris and Mr. Durkin previewed the March 11 proposed budget. Community budget meetings will be held in each district from March 12-24. Tax rate advertisement authorization was on the consent agenda.
• Utilities Operating Budget & CIP: Matt Rembald and Kathy Sabzak presented:
  • Proposed operating budget of $120.5 million (16.5% increase), driven largely by purchased water and chemical costs.
  • The 10-year CIP totals $2.19 billion, with 43% for distribution infrastructure and 57% for water supply and wastewater capacity.
  • Proposed rate increases: average residential customer will see a $2.94/month increase (4.3%), consisting of changes to commodity, capacity, and customer charges. Water connection fees to increase 5% ($316), wastewater connection fees 5% ($284).
  • Strong waste surcharges for industrial customers increased for BOD and TSS by 3 cents each.
  • The board emphasized that data center customers will pay for their own capacity; the rate increases are not due to data centers. The department addressed that capital projects like the fourth water supply and Proctors Creek expansion predate data center demand.
  • A public hearing on the proposed rates is set for March 25.

Voting Location Emergency Ordinance

The board considered an emergency ordinance to add North Courthouse Library as an absentee voting location for the April 21, 2026 special election (regarding a proposed constitutional amendment). The ordinance required a public hearing later (March 11). After a contentious debate:

• Mr. Ingle opposed, stating he believes the election is not constitutionally valid and that the ordinance should not be adopted under an emergency order.
• Mr. Carroll acknowledged conflict but supported the ordinance to maximize voting opportunities, noting the election is proceeding under a stay from the Supreme Court.
• Dr. Hilton and Ms. Schneider emphasized the importance of voting access, with Hilton noting his family's historical struggle for the right to vote.
• Chair Miller emphasized the value of a second voting location. The motion passed 4-1 (Ingle opposed).

Zoning Cases

• Consent Cases (unanimously approved):
  • 25SN1242 – Ramos Accessory Dwelling Unit: Conditional use for a detached ADU and adjustments.
  • 25SN1258 – Signs and Wonders Ministry Private School: Conditional use for K-5 private school (up to 30 students).
  • 25SN1293 – Manning Family Day Care Home: Conditional use for a family daycare (up to 12 children).
  • 25SN1312 – The Sustainability Park: Conditional use for warehouse, distribution, and tractor-trailer parking.
• Discussion Case – 25SN1074 Bella at Westchester Phase 2 Amendment:
  • Applicant (Jeff Geiger) proposed adding apartment buildings to an existing development in Midlothian, reducing traffic compared to the currently permitted retail use. The developer offered to pay for modifications to a dangerous roundabout (83 crashes from 2020-2025).
  • The board expressed safety concerns about the roundabout. Chair Miller moved to deny, stating he wants empirical evidence that roundabout fixes mitigate crashes before adding density. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously (voice vote). Mr. Ingle noted that the roundabout will be fixed regardless, but the board supported the denial.
  • The board also used the case to highlight the threat of SB 454, which could allow such multifamily development by right without public process.

Key Outcomes

• Emergency Ordinance for Satellite Voting Location: Approved 4-1 (Ingle opposed) to establish North Courthouse Library as an absentee voting location for the April 21 special election, with a public hearing set for March 11.
• Zoning Denial: Case 25SN1074 (Bella at Westchester Phase 2) denied unanimously.
• Consent Agenda: All consent items (recognitions, public hearing settings, grants, contracts, road acceptances, zoning consent cases) approved as a block.
• Appointments: Made to Airport Advisory Board, Preservation Committee, and Community Services Board.
• Closed Session: Held to discuss real estate acquisition.
• Public Hearings Scheduled: For March 11: surplus property, lease amendment, eminent domain for three transportation projects, emergency ordinance confirmation. For March 25: private well setbacks, utility rates, tax rate advertising.
• Creation of Plant Medicine Ad Hoc Committee: Chair Miller announced the formation of a committee to study the potential of plant-based therapies for PTSD in veterans, with a report due by November 30, 2026.
• Board Urged Public Action: Supervisors encouraged residents to contact the Governor and state legislators to oppose state mandates on collective bargaining and by-right multifamily zoning.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned; next scheduled meeting March 11, 2026 at 2 p.m.