# Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Meeting - March 25, 2026

The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors met at 6 p.m. on March 25, 2026, in the Public Meeting Room at 10001 Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield, Virginia. Chair Mark S. Miller presided; Supervisors Kevin P. Carroll (Vice Chair, Matoaca), Jim A. Ingle (Bermuda), Jessica L. Schneider (Clover Hill), and LeQuan M. Hylton (Dale) participated, with County Administrator Joseph P. Casey. The meeting opened with an invocation by Supervisor Schneider and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Deputy County Administrator Matt Harris. The evening's main business was five advertised public hearings on FY2027 budget-related items, followed by zoning cases and a private-well ordinance amendment.

### Reports
- The board received the report on district improvement operating and capital funds, General Fund unassigned balance, debt policy ratios, and investments. No questions were raised, and the reports were accepted.

### County Administration Update
- Natalie Spillman reported on the 2026 General Assembly session, which adjourned on March 14. More than 1,100 bills are heading to the governor. The collective bargaining bill emerged from conference without binding arbitration, but other significant provisions remain; the county and statewide organizations are continuing to express concerns. The state budget did not pass, so a reconvene session is set for April 22 and a special session for April 23. Supervisor Ingle asked whether the board could send a letter to the governor about problematic provisions, and Ms. Spillman confirmed this was possible.
- Clay Bowles presented consent agenda highlights: a public hearing for April 22 to return the Drewry's Bluff Voting Precinct (105) to Bensley Elementary School; VDOT bus-loop right-of-way designations; a $2.4 million construction contract for the Center Pointe Parkway Extension; and acceptance of a 1.558-acre EDA parcel for the Falling Creek Police Station at Spring Line.

### Consent Calendar
- The minutes of the March 11 and March 18, 2026 meetings were approved. The motion contained a verbal slip referring to March 25, which was corrected to March 18.
- The consent agenda was approved with no recorded opposition. It included retirement resolutions for Captain Bryce C. Ford (Fire and EMS, 26 years), Corporal Craig V. Eckrich (Police, 22 years), and Jennifer Erisman (Mental Health Support Services, 32 years), totaling 80 years of combined county service.
- Real property items included acceptance of parcels adjacent to Greenyard Road and Court Yard Road from Mary Elizabeth Fitzpatrick; adjacent to North Courthouse Road from Converge Church, Inc.; and a Midlothian Turnpike parcel from the Economic Development Authority; designation of bus-loop rights-of-way across school properties for VDOT maintenance; a quitclaim of portions of a temporary drainage easement, sewer easement, and water easement across property owned by Ravsun, LLC; and permission for a private sewer force main or lateral at 8318 Elkhardt Road.
- Other consent items included acceptance of state roads; appropriation of about $267,000 in developer contributions from Thales Academy and authorization to award a $2.4 million construction contract for the Center Pointe Parkway Extension project from Tomahawk Queen Creek Road to Old Hundred Road; award of annual contracts for preliminary engineering services for transportation; and setting public hearings for April 22, 2026 on the Drewry's Bluff polling place change, vacation of a 16-foot drainage easement crossing Lots 33 and 34 of Old Hundred Mill Section E, and a lease amendment with New Cingular Wireless d/b/a AT&T.

### Public Comments & Testimony
Five public hearings were held on the advertised budget-related items. The board took no action on these items at this meeting, stating that adoption is planned for the evening session on April 8, 2026.

- Department of Utilities fee changes: No public speakers. Staff said the headline change is a proposed 4.3% increase in the bi-monthly utility bill, which would still leave Chesterfield as the lowest-cost utility provider in the region; the utility capital plan includes funding for the fourth water source.
- Proposed 2026 tax rates: Staff said the real estate rate is proposed unchanged at 89 cents per $100 of assessed value, while the personal property rate is proposed at $3.25 per $100, a 10-cent reduction from $3.35. Fred DeMay of Matoaca said Chesterfield residents have long had the highest real estate taxes in central Virginia. He praised last year's one-cent real estate rate reduction to 89 cents and the one-cent rebate, but said the proposed FY2027 budget, with no rate reduction, no rebate, and about a 4.5% average assessment increase, would make the effective real estate tax rate about five cents per $100 higher than last year. He urged the board to reinstate a one-cent reduction, from 89 cents to 88 cents. Robert Taylor, a retired lifelong county resident, reported his assessment increases were 2% in 2022, 8.6% in 2024, 3.8% last year, and 4.7% this year, a 16% increase over three years. He said he does not qualify for county assistance and asked the board to study Henrico County's tax relief approach, including a $75,000 income threshold and a cap on tax bills for long-term homeowners.
- FY2027 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Annual Plan: No public speakers. Staff said the proposed plan totals $2.18 million and continues to focus most resources on home repairs and emergency housing services.
- FY2027-FY2031 Capital Improvement Program: No public speakers. Staff said the proposed CIP focuses on transportation improvements, continuation of 2022 referendum projects, and major maintenance and maximization of existing facilities.
- FY2027 proposed budget: Rob Hamill, president of the Chesterfield Education Association, expressed strong support for the budget, praising the collaborative process, the goal of a $60,000 starting teacher salary, the $15-per-hour support staff goal, and investments in transportation and nutrition services. He asked the county to continue advocating for state funding for secondary math and special education teachers. Fred DeMay said the proposed total county budget of almost $2.4 billion, an increase of about 4.7%, is about 1.7 times the rate of inflation. He cited the county's more than $20 million FY2026 surplus and said one cent of real estate tax yields about $6 million, again urging a reduction to 88 cents. Ian Richisker Markovich expressed concerns about the Flock Safety automated license plate reader contract, which he said costs $225,000 per year and runs through June 2029. He cited a $60,000 request for license plate reader system replacements and a $263,000 request for three new intelligence investigators, which he said could make Flock-related costs about $608,000 in 2027. He said more than 30 localities have canceled or suspended Flock contracts since 2025 and asked why the board had not given the public a say. Lauren Dixon said a petition signed by nearly 200 community members urges the board to oppose funding for Flock ALPRs, and she described hidden costs and privacy concerns, asking the county to pause the contract and conduct a full public hearing and review. Wendy Little said her son Aaron has been deprived of education for four years, that Chesterfield County Public Schools may lose federal and state grant funding, that the litigation involved alleged attorney contracts costing state taxpayers at least $250,000, and she asked the board to meet with Superintendent Murray to resolve the matter. Renee Eldridge supported the budget and thanked budget staff; she suggested holding future budget meetings one on each side of the county because attendance was about 25-30 people, and she welcomed compensation increases for police, fire, and teachers. Alexandria Wall, director of human trafficking services at Safe Harbor, thanked the county for considering funding that would help Chesterfield victims.
- Private well setbacks: Jerry Turner opposed the proposed setback reductions, saying he was not sure the county should follow state regulations and warning that contaminated wells could become the county's problem.
- Both 15-minute citizen comment periods on unscheduled matters had no registered speakers. At the end of the meeting, Wendy Little said she had phoned earlier about speaking; the clerk indicated she was not on the unscheduled-matters list and offered to sign her up for the next meeting.

### Discussion Items
- Private well setback amendments: Staff presented amendments to align local setbacks with Virginia Department of Health regulations, which were last updated in October 2024. The proposal reduces the setback between a private well and a building foundation or accessory structure from 50 feet to 15 feet, allows a further reduction to 10 feet if boron-based termite treatment is used, and reduces the setback between a private well and a property line from 50 feet to 5 feet. Supervisor Ingle said the old rule was stricter than state law and that other Virginia jurisdictions have not had problems; Supervisor Carroll supported the change, describing a constituent who was previously unable to build a garage and workshop because of the old setback. The board approved the amendments.

### Zoning Requests
The remaining five zoning cases were on the consent agenda because applicants accepted staff recommendations and there was no prior opposition, but the board held individual public hearings and votes.

- 23SN0124 Taylor Ridge (Matoaca): Request to rezone property with about 1,360 feet of frontage on Hull Street Road from Agricultural A to Community Business C3 with conditional uses for townhouse/multifamily development and plan development exceptions. Supervisor Carroll requested a deferral to the April 22, 2026 public hearing to resolve road alignment issues and clarify road cash proffer language. No one spoke on the deferral, and the deferral was approved.
- 25SN1247 Lattice Hall (Matoaca): Request to rezone 12.16 acres on Genito Road and amend a prior case covering a total 163.76-acre tract, with a maximum of 333 dwelling units, including 26 cluster-style lots and reconfigured amenities. Jerry Turner asked about a small strip of land not owned by the applicant and whether the sidewalk would be continuous. Applicant representative Jeff Geiger said the shared-use path would be in the right-of-way. The board approved the request subject to staff conditions.
- 25SN1288 Sanko Auto Care (Clover Hill): Request on 0.79 acres at 8259 Midlothian Turnpike to bring an existing non-conforming auto repair and sales facility into compliance, with a conditional use for automobile sales and adjustments for parking paving, landscaping, and setbacks. A speaker urged timely compliance; applicant Nassim Saman apologized, said he had a court summons, and pledged to comply. Supervisor Schneider moved approval; Supervisor Carroll suggested the county consider improving notices to new businesses about zoning restrictions. The board approved with staff recommendations.
- 25SN1299 Negrete Accessory Dwelling Unit (Bermuda): Conditional use request on a 1.32-acre property at 15624 Silver Tree Lane to convert an existing detached garage into an accessory dwelling unit for a family member. Jerry Turner raised concerns about future rental use; Ian Richisker Markovich supported the ADU as a way to add housing in established suburban areas. Board discussion noted a deed restriction limiting occupancy to family relations or household employees, and Supervisor Schneider noted pending General Assembly legislation on ADUs. The board approved.
- 25SN1301 Rockwood Plaza Signage Amendment (Clover Hill): Request to amend a 1986 zoning approval on 5.2 acres at 3501 Courthouse Road to allow current zoning signage requirements to apply to the property. No one spoke in opposition. Supervisor Schneider moved approval, noting the strip mall is receiving new attention and is home to her favorite restaurant. The board approved.
- 25SN1318 Jones Family Day Care Home (Dale): Conditional use request on 0.21 acres at 6713 Philbrook Road to allow a family day care home caring for up to 12 children. No one spoke. Supervisor Hylton moved approval, and board members welcomed additional daycare capacity. The board approved.

### Key Outcomes
- The board approved the consent agenda, minutes, reports, and all retirement and real property resolutions.
- The five advertised public hearings on utility fees, tax rates, CDBG/HOME, the CIP, and the FY2027 budget were held without board action; final budget adoption is scheduled for the April 8, 2026 evening session.
- The private-well setback ordinance amendment was approved, aligning county rules with Virginia Department of Health setbacks.
- The Taylor Ridge rezoning was deferred to April 22, 2026.
- The Lattice Hall, Sanko Auto Care, Negrete ADU, Rockwood Plaza signage, and Jones Family Day Care Home zoning requests were approved subject to staff conditions.
- The board adjourned to closed session under Virginia Code sections 2.2-3711(A)(1) and 2.2-3712(B) to interview candidates for county administrator, and recessed to the next regular board meeting scheduled for April 8, 2026 at 6 p.m.