May 05, 2026 - Board of Supervisors Meeting
10:00 a.m.
2.0 - Grants and Donations
What Happened: The Board accepted multiple grants and donations, including a $17,000 grant from the VA Foundation for Healthy Youth (the third year of a $93,000 total award requiring no local match), a $1,000 Walmart donation to the Sheriff's Office, and $3,000 in donations from the Path Foundation and Eileen Sisk. Additionally, a $12,500 grant was accepted for the Bobby Lenn Memorial Field of Interest Fund, two grants totaling $17,500 for Parks and Recreation, and a grant for the Clerk of Circuit Court from the Library of Virginia.
Why It Matters: These funds provide vital financial support across multiple county departments—from public safety to youth health and parks—without relying on local tax dollars.
2.02i - Bi-Weekly Pay Cycle
What Happened: The Board voted unanimously (7-0) to transition Culpeper County employees from a monthly pay cycle to a bi-weekly pay cycle, effective July 1, 2026.
Why It Matters: Moving to a bi-weekly pay schedule modernizes the county's payroll system, bringing it in line with standard practices and providing more consistent, reliable financial support for all county employees.
3.01 - Resolution for Macy Fleischer
What Happened: The Board presented a Resolution honoring Macy Fleischer as a Champion of Victims' Rights.
Why It Matters: Recognizing dedicated individuals highlights the importance of victim advocacy and community support systems within Culpeper County.
3.02 - Public Safety Week
What Happened: The Board officially recognized May 5-10 as Public Safety Week.
Why It Matters: This recognition formally honors the dedication and sacrifices of the first responders and public safety professionals serving the Culpeper community.
4.01 - Central Virginia Regional Jail (CVRJ) Presentation
What Happened: Frank Dyer, Superintendent of the Central Virginia Regional Jail (CVRJ), presented details on the possibility of Culpeper joining the CVRJ. The proposal includes an $18 million buy-in without requiring a new building at this time, giving Culpeper two votes on the Board, as the county would utilize over 45% of the facility. The Board directed staff to gather comprehensive financial comparisons between joining the regional jail versus building a new local facility, suggesting that we should have this decision go to public referendum.
Why It Matters: Jail capacity is a major infrastructural and financial decision for the county. Gathering detailed comparisons ensures the Board and citizens have the exact financial data necessary before making a long-term commitment.
5.02 - Tax Rates for Calendar Year 2026
What Happened: Acknowledging a funding shortfall for FY27 and the likelihood of a larger gap in FY28, the Board voted 6-1 to adopt the calendar year 2026 tax rates with a 2-cent increase.
Why It Matters: This slight adjustment addresses upcoming financial deficits, ensuring the county can meet its operational budget requirements and maintain necessary public services for residents.
5.03 & 5.04 - Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Plan
What Happened: The Board unanimously (7-0) adopted the proposed operating and capital budget for Fiscal Year 2027, as well as the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) spanning Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031.
Why It Matters: The adopted budget provides the official financial framework for all county departments for the upcoming year, while the CIP outlines the long-term planning and funding for major county infrastructure projects.
5.05 & 5.06 - Budget Amendments and Transfers
What Happened: The Board voted 7-0 to approve an amendment to the FY26 budget and approved a budget transfer from the IT Infrastructure Remediation line to the IT operating budget.
Why It Matters: Routine amendments and transfers allow the county to legally adjust its current budget to account for unexpected expenses and ensure departments have the operational funds necessary to function.
5.07 - Hiring Freeze Release
What Happened: The Board voted 6-1 to release the hiring freeze for specific county positions.
Why It Matters: Filling these targeted positions ensures that critical county departments have the staffing needed to operate effectively without overburdening current employees.
5.08 - E911 Cell Tower Maintenance
What Happened: The Board voted unanimously (7-0) to transition cell tower maintenance responsibilities and the associated budget to the E911 department.
Why It Matters: Consolidating communication infrastructure under the E911 department streamlines maintenance and ensures the reliability of our critical emergency communication networks.
7.0 - Committee Reports: Public Works
What Happened: The Board voted 7-0 to approve water and sewer rate increases for the County Water and Sewer Utilities at Clevenger's and the Airpark. The increase is structured as 5% for Tier 1 (where the majority of residential increases will occur), 6% for Tier 2, and 7% for Tier 3. They also voted 7-0 to increase the Solid Waste Transfer Station tipping fee from $74/ton to $79/ton.
Why It Matters: These rate adjustments are necessary to cover the rising operational and maintenance costs of utility and waste management facilities, ensuring they remain self-sustaining without pulling from the general fund.
7.0 - Committee Reports: Rules
What Happened: The Board voted 7-0 to re-authorize a public hearing to repeal Ordinance Amendment Chapter 12 regarding the assessment of real estate devoted to agricultural, horticultural, and forest uses. They also unanimously approved two grant applications for the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division: one for $25,000 for equipment and another for ten additional body-worn cameras.
Why It Matters: The public hearing authorization ensures citizens have a voice regarding changes to local land use taxation, while securing grant funding equips law enforcement with necessary technology without impacting local taxes.
7.0 - Committee Reports: Personnel
What Happened: The Board voted unanimously (7-0) to form a County Internship Program, scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026.
Why It Matters: This program provides valuable local government experience to young professionals and helps build a strong future workforce pipeline for Culpeper County.
7.0 - Committee Reports: Public Safety
What Happened: The Board unanimously (7-0) passed a resolution addressing the use of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) by medical facilities for non-emergency patient transfers.
Why It Matters: This resolution helps ensure that critical county 911 ambulances and emergency personnel remain available for true public emergencies rather than routine hospital transports.
9.0 - Administrator's Report
What Happened: Staff formally introduced the new Animal Services Director, Kyle Roberson.
Why It Matters: Introducing new department leadership keeps the community informed about who is managing vital local facilities, such as the animal shelter.
7:00 pm
6-Year Road Plan
What Happened: The Board reviewed the proposed 6-Year Road Plan. During the meeting, numerous individuals spoke out specifically against the proposed paving of Walkers Lane. Acknowledging these public comments, the Board voted to defer the 6-Year Road Plan and send it back to committee for further discussion.
Why It Matters: Road plans dictate how and where state and local transportation funds are spent over the long term. Deferring the vote allows the committee to re-evaluate the proposed projects and take direct resident feedback—like the concerns regarding Walkers Lane—into serious consideration before making a final commitment.
Assisted Living Facility Rezoning
What Happened: The Board reviewed a downzoning request for the property at the corner of Whiteshop Road and Route 29. This zoning change was requested to allow for the development of "Evergreens," a proposed assisted living facility for memory loss patients. While there was significant discussion and concern regarding the dangerous crossover intersection at that location, the facility project itself received positive comments. The Board ultimately voted 7-0 to approve the downzoning request.
Why It Matters: Zoning decisions control how land in Culpeper County is developed. Approving this downzoning paves the way for a specialized care facility to support local residents experiencing memory loss, while the public discussions ensure that traffic safety concerns at the Route 29 and Whiteshop intersection are documented and kept on the radar for future traffic management.
