Defense industry has $1.2 billion annual impact in Charlottesville/Albemarle; Stopping illegal signs in Fluvanna
The third of three summaries this week on what's happening in local government in Virginia's Fifth District
Welcome to another edition of a regular newsletter about local and regional government in Virginia’s Fifth Congressional District. I’m Sean Tubbs and I’ve been writing about local government in the Charlottesville area for many years. The goal of this work is to help me better understand how other local governments in Virginia work. I blame the political science degree I got from Virginia Tech.
Today’s newsletter reprints two segments from the Week Ahead newsletter which went out on my main Charlottesville Community Engagement feed on Sunday. One day I hope to be writing about more than just meetings of elected officials in the Fifth District but for now I’m hopeful to build the audience while I continue building a routine of keeping up with 24 localities.
Thanks to my supporters on Patreon for helping foot the bill for this experimental newsletter. At some point I’ll turn on paid subscriptions here but that point is not now.
Albemarle County Supervisors to adopt FY24 budget
The six member Board of Supervisors in Albemarle County will meet at 1 p.m. in Lane Auditorium at the county’s office building at 401 McIntire Road. (meeting info) (agenda)
The first item on the agenda after proclamations will be on the economic impact of the defense sector in the region. The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce commissioned the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia to conduct a study.
“Charlottesville’s defense industry has grown over the last decade and includes more than 100 local entities involved in defense intelligence and research, military education, and defense contracting,” reads the executive summary. “Statistics from public data sources indicate that Department of Defense (DoD) military and civilian employment grew by 15 percent from 2011 to 2021.”
The report goes on to say that the true impact is much larger because two of the military employers in Albemarle do not report their employment figures to public sources.
“Now viewed as the second largest economic generator in the area (after the University of Virginia), this sector comes in at an annual impact of just over $1.2 billion dollars,” reads a press release from the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Next, Albemarle will take a vote on the adoption of the budget for FY2024. The public hearing was last week and I hope to have a summary written up before then. (staff report)
There are three public hearings:
The county seeks feedback on Community Development Block Grants. There are no specifics in the agenda item.
City Church on Rio Road seeks a special use permit for a new 10,600 square foot building and a parking lot expansion of 43 spaces. (staff report)
The developer of 999 Rio Road seeks an amendment to the previous rezoning to eliminate requirements for commercial space in the code of development. (staff report)
On the consent agenda:
Albemarle will adopt the Regional Hazard Mitigation plan put together by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission. The City of Charlottesville has deferred their approval pending more information. (staff report)
Albemarle is asking the Virginia Department of Transportaiton to conduct a speed study and a traffic study on Plank Road. (staff report)
Supervisors will ratify the elevation of Jessica Rice as the interim director of human resources. The position had been held by Ti-Kimena-Mia Coltrane since September 20, 2021.
Supervisors will also ratify the elevation of Jacob Sumner as the interim chief financial officer effective May 8. The position has been held the last two years by Nelsie Birch.
Fluvanna Supervisors learn about what localities can do about illegal signs in roadway medians
The five-member Board of Supervisors in Fluvanna will meet at 5 p.m. (agenda packet)
After proclamations and a resolution of support for a request from the Opioid Abatement Authority, there will be a presentation on the removal of illegal signs from right of way controlled by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Some supervisors had asked County Administrator Eric Dahl to investigate options.
“The board wanted to see what options were available to eliminate and/or impose penalties for temporary signs in the VDOT Right of Way or along Fluvanna roadways,” Dahl wrote. “After speaking with VDOT, they will allow levying a $100 Civil Penalty for signs on the right of way, if an agreement ‘For Enforcement Of Laws Regarding Illegal Signs And Advertising Within The Limits Of The Highway’ is entered between VDOT and the local government.”
Reading material:
As archaeological dig ends, gag order keeps Swan Tavern findings under wraps, Hawes Spencer, Charlottesville Daily Progress, April 30, 2023
After decades of water woes, residents along Horseshoe Road in Pittsylvania County connecting to public supply, Danville Register & Bee, May 1, 2023
For VIR and Southside Virginia, a season of life in the fast lane ready to rev up tourism, Charles Wilborn, Danville Register & Bee, May 1, 2023
‘Time, money, and patience’: the process of developing a megasite, Grace Mamon, Cardinal News, May 1, 2023
Amherst supervisors appoint Jeremy Bryant as new county administrator, Justin Faulconer, Amherst New-Era Progress, May 3, 2023