Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Meeting – September 23, 2026

The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors convened for a work session at 2 p.m. and an evening session at 6 p.m. on September 23, 2026. The agenda included annual updates from Mental Health Support Services and Fire & EMS, a detailed presentation on unfunded mandates and the draft 2027 legislative program, a chapter amendment for street naming, and several public hearings and zoning cases. Significant discussion centered on the potential state mandate for a 42-hour firefighter workweek, rising operational costs, and how to allocate future data center tax revenue.

Consent Calendar

• The Board approved a large block of items including retirement resolutions for 10 employees (totaling 304 years of combined service), acceptance of multiple land parcels, FY2027 budget amendments (primarily bond premiums), and a $6.4 million contract for the Information Systems Technology/Employee Medical Center/Emergency Communications Classroom renovation.
• 2027 healthcare rates were approved, reflecting an increase of under 10% following the removal of GLP-1 weight loss medication coverage and a switch to a generic-first pharmacy model. Dental rates remained unchanged.
• A change in ownership for Colonial Ridge Apartments was approved contingent on the new owner resolving a list of outstanding maintenance items.
• Appointments to the Citizens' Budget Advisory Committee, GRTC Transit System Board of Directors, and the Committee on the Future were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Phil Lohr (Chesterfield Citizens for Responsible Government): Criticized the county's communications department budget and the "One for the Schools" campaign, alleging it violated state neutrality laws by promising a tax reduction contingent on the referendum's passage. Called for a reduction in the communications budget.
• Terry Adams (Greenbrier Subdivision Resident): Urged the Board to extend public sewer hookups to her neighborhood, citing widespread failure of private septic systems and environmental hazards. She noted that Utilities Director Matt Rembold indicated a feasibility study via an assessment district is possible.
• Douglas Bradham (Chesterfield Citizens for Responsible Government): Asserted the county has a spending problem, not a revenue problem, and criticized the lack of Return on Investment (ROI) calculations for economic development projects, specifically citing a 41-year payback calculation for the Meadowville development.
• Ben Nelson (Crestwood Farms Resident): Expressed strong support for limiting data center development in Chesterfield and urged the Board to update the zoning ordinance with stricter, enforceable restrictions.
• Thomas Carroll (Chesterfield Citizens for Responsible Government): Called for an independent forensic audit of the Chesterfield Economic Development Authority (CEDA) following the Timmons/Springline lease controversy, alleging over $725,000 in potential overpayments due to an unexecuted lease commencement certificate.
• Amy Beth Mullen (County Resident): Expressed strong opposition to gigawatt-scale data centers, citing environmental concerns for tributaries feeding Pocahontas State Park, and criticized the use of NDAs and deception in the approval process.
• Wendy Little (Parent of Special Education Student): Demanded a full forensic audit of Chesterfield County Public Schools' legal fees, alleging the school division filed a fraudulent lawsuit against her and the Virginia Department of Education following a state complaint ruling.

Discussion Items

Mental Health Support Services (MHSS) Annual Update

• MHSS Report: MHSS served approximately 8,600 residents in FY26 with a $64 million budget. The Chesterfield Recovery Academy was highlighted as the first fully accredited recovery high school in Virginia, serving over 100 students since 2022.
• Crisis Response: The Co-Responder Program (mental health clinicians paired with police) handled 577 calls in FY26, the highest in the region, saving an estimated 2,275 patrol hours from hospital diversions. The arrest rate from these contacts was less than 0.1%.
• Public Health Data: There were 46 drug poisoning deaths in 2025 (a decrease from 2024), with opioid-related deaths accounting for 72% of the total. Suicide data showed 325 deaths from 2019-2024, with firearms being the leading method (187 of 325).
• The board commended the department, noting the Hazel Health partnership was working in tandem to fill different levels of service need.

Fire and EMS Annual Update & 42-Hour Work Week

• Chief Center Report: Firefighters responded to 57,498 incidents in FY26 (3.9% increase). The projected turnover rate for FY27 is 18%, the highest ever recorded. The department is 9.7% behind Henrico County in starting salary.
• 42-Hour Work Week Transition: The potential state mandate to move from a 56-hour average work week to a 42-hour week was the central topic. Chief Center outlined that adding a fourth platoon would require 180 new positions at an initial cost estimate of $25.4 million and would take 3-5 years to implement.
• Operational Gaps: The county's ISO rating remains Class 2/2I. Insufficient station distribution prevents a Class 1 rating. Apparatus delivery times have stretched to FY2029-2031. There were 8 civilian fire deaths in FY26, a 33% increase over five years.
• Board Reaction: Board members expressed deep concern over the unfunded mandate implications, the need for competitive pay, and the balance between public safety investments and the community tax burden. The Board agreed to hold detailed briefings in the coming weeks.

Unfunded Mandates and 2027 Legislative Program

• Report Overview: Staff presented a comprehensive catalog of cost shifts. The Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA) now only reimburses the county at 40% of the promised 100%. The state-mandated veterans tax relief program costs the county $29.2 million entirely from local funds. The JLARC report identified a $6.6 billion statewide K-12 funding gap. Election administration costs have tripled in 10 years with no corresponding increase in state funding.
• Draft 2027 Program: The draft legislative program prioritizes defending local authority (especially on the 42-hour firefighter week), fully funding K-12 Standards of Quality, and securing state funding for constitutional officer mandates.
• Board Reaction: Board members (Ingle, Carroll, Hylton) expressed strong frustration with the state's continued cost-shifting, specifically highlighting the burden of funding state employee salaries and the massive gap in school funding.

Chapter 16 Amendment – Street Naming

• Staff proposed amendments to modernize street naming and address assignment. Key changes include increasing the character limit for street names from 16 to 20, reducing the list of allowed street types from 38 to 20 (covering 98.8% of existing addresses), and codifying the numbering baselines. A public hearing on the amendment was set for October 28, 2026.

Data Center Tax Revenue Allocation (Chapter 9 Amendment)

• Deferred to November 18, 2026: The Board voted to delay the decision on how to allocate data center tax revenue.
• Board Positions: Kevin P. Carroll favored using the revenue to buy down the personal property tax rate to provide direct relief. Jim A. Ingle supported the commitment to citizen relief. LeQuan M. Hylton emphasized balancing relief with investments in public safety and community quality of life. Jessica L. Schneider argued that investing in services provides more impactful community benefits than a small tax break. Mark S. Miller summarized that the board is still in process and agreed a rushed decision was not appropriate.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: The consent agenda was approved. The board bypassed board member reports to save time.
• Zoning Approvals: Cases 24SN1194 (West Hundred Road - approved with staff conditions) and 25SN1238 (Swift Creek Reserve - approved with staff conditions).
• Zoning Deferrals: Cases 26SN2080 (Charleston Landing) and 26SN2144 (Rountrey Phase 5) were deferred to the Board's October 28, 2026, public hearing.
• Deferrals: The discussion on Data Center Tax Revenue Allocation (Chapter 9) was deferred to November 18, 2026. The Closed Session on personnel performance was also deferred to the next meeting.
• Directives: Staff will continue refining cost estimates for the 42-hour firefighter work week for upcoming legislative session preparations. Staff will explore the feasibility of a sewer assessment district for the Greenbrier subdivision in response to public comment.