Loudoun County Finance/Government Operations and Economic Development Committee Meeting - November 13, 2025

The Finance/Government Operations and Economic Development Committee met on November 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM (evening session) to consider a consent agenda, several information items, and multiple action items. Key topics included a federal shutdown update, proposed reforms to late tax penalties, improvements to the Human Services Nonprofit Grant Program, endorsement of the LPAT signature trail project, and service models for healthcare at the Adult Detention Center. All votes were 3-0-2 with Chair Randall and Supervisor Sains absent.

Consent Calendar

• The committee unanimously approved a consent agenda consisting of: Item 2 (FY2026 Q1 Financial Update), Item 5 (CY 2026 Payment Standards for HCV Program), Item 6 (Contract Renewal/Occupational Health), Item 7 (Public Safety Radio System Infrastructure Expansion), Item 8 (IT Consulting Services), Item 9 (Transportation Planning), Item 10 (Homeless Services Center), Item 11 (Geotechnical Engineering), Item 12 (Traffic Engineering), Item 13 (Fire Station #8 Philomont Construction), Item 14 (Courts Complex Phase IV CM at Risk), Item 15 (Courts Complex Construction Support), Item 16 (Job Order Contract for General Construction), Item 17 (CrossTrail Boulevard Segment C CEI), Item 18 (Sterling Boulevard Extension CEI), Item 21 (Northstar Boulevard Location/Design), and Item 23 (Animal Advisory Committee By-Laws).

Discussion Items

• Monthly Economic Development Report (Item 1): Buddy Rizer reported 37 wins with ~$65M investment through September. Local job postings on Work in Loudoun increased 32% from September, with over 13,000 total active listings (up 19%). Jan Kernan, chair of the Rural Economic Development Council, provided updates on tourism, workforce development with LCPS, and committee appointments. Supervisors discussed flex industrial space and agrivoltaics collaboration with PEC.

• Impact of Federal Actions Update (Item 3): Staff and federal lobbyists (Clarence Williams, Alfonso Lopez) briefed the committee on the end of the 43-day federal shutdown, the CR extending funding through January 30, 2026, and potential sequester risks. They noted the ACA tax credit extension is set for mid-December, that TANF, NFIP, and FEMA were extended, and that SNAP benefits are funded through November 2025. Supervisor Umstead raised concerns about a DOT memo favoring high birth/marriage rate states for transportation grants.

• Service Models for Healthcare at ADC (Item 4): Staff presented follow-up responses to prior questions. The Sheriff’s Office recommended continuing contracted services and adding a medical director as a contract manager. Supervisor Briskman requested more research from other jurisdictions that adopted full in-house models; the committee deferred a decision until December.

• Proposed Late Payment Penalty Reduction (Item 19): Treasurer Henry Eichelberg proposed replacing the flat 10% penalty (with $10 minimum) with a two-tier structure: 2% if paid within 30 days, then 10% after. This would apply starting May 1, 2027, and reduce annual penalty collections from ~$10M to ~$7M. Estimated county budget impact was about $2-3M less (the line item is budgeted at ~$20M). Towns, especially Leesburg, expressed concern over lost revenue ($36K/year), but the Treasurer argued such penalties are “junk fees” and other assessment changes would offset losses. The committee voted to recommend the amendment.

• Human Services Nonprofit Grant Program (Item 20): Staff and KPMG presented recommendations based on a year-long study. Key FY27 changes include: streamlining application templates, reducing duplicate documentation, offering multi-year (2-year) standard grants, increasing the maximum standard grant from $113,000 to $135,000 (indexed for 22% inflation), and requiring applicants to select only one area of need with optional subcategories. For FY28-29, KPMG proposed a two-stage “dynamic rank order” scoring process incorporating past performance. Supervisor Umstead expressed concerns about outcome-data burdens on small nonprofits and mental health providers. The committee voted to approve FY27 recommendations and defer FY28-29 discussions to no later than February 2026.

• LPAT Signature Project Design Endorsement (Item 22): Staff presented the schematic design for the Loudoun Trails and Waterways (formerly LPAT) signature project: an 18-mile continuous loop trail connecting W&OD Trail, Potomac Heritage Trail, and stream valleys, with pedestrian bridges over Goose Creek, Broad Run, and Horsepen Run, plus restoration of the historic Broad Run Toll House. Construction will be phased; some segments could begin as early as FY27. The committee voted to endorse the design and authorize final design documents.

• FY27 Budget Development – OMAGI Service Levels (Item 24): Kristen Brown (Office of Mapping and Geographic Information) described the department’s role in GIS, addressing, and land records. Challenges include declining new addresses (1,800 assigned last year vs. 3,000 average) but increasing complexity and land development referrals (nearly 1,500 in FY25, up from 800 in FY21). The team is developing a complexity metric and planning to identify and address all permanent structures to improve 911 responses. No action was taken.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 3-0-2.
• Ordinance 860.02 Amendment (Item 19): Committee recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt the two-tier late payment penalty (2% within 30 days, 10% after) effective May 1, 2027. Motion passed 3-0-2.
• Human Services Nonprofit Grant Program (Item 20): Committee recommended approval of FY27 implementation recommendations and deferral of FY28-29 recommendations until February 2026. Motion passed 3-0-2.
• LPAT Signature Project (Item 22): Committee recommended endorsement of the schematic design and authorization to proceed with final design documents. Motion passed 3-0-2.
• ADC Service Models (Item 4): Decision deferred to December; staff to gather more information from other jurisdictions.
• Next Steps: The committee adjourned; remaining action items will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final approval.