The Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting Tuesday, Dec. 2. An agenda and complete video of the meeting are available on the county website.
Highlights include:
Long-term employee honored as new role begins
In the work session prior to the meeting, County Manager John A. Vithoulkas recognized Sarah Gray of Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services (MHDS) for her contributions to mental health emergency services. Gray has worked in MHDS for 33 years spanning multiple roles in emergent mental health services.
During her tenure, Gray has overseen the implementation of Henrico’s Marcus Alert system, a voluntary database that provides relevant mental health information and emergency contact information to first responders in an emergency or crisis.
Gray is beginning a new role in MHDS as the program manager for entry services. This role will allow Gray to focus on implementing the Marcus Alert and work closely with Henrico’s public safety teams. She will focus on reducing emergency room visits, hospitalizations and arrests.
“Throughout her tenure with the agency, Sarah’s compassion for the individuals we serve and for her staff are hallmarks of her career,” Vithoulkas said.
Former landfill to host solar power facility
The Board approved a provisional use permit for Dominion Energy to build a solar power facility at a former county landfill in Varina. The Planning Commission had recommended approval after finding the proposed use is consistent with the county’s 2026 comprehensive plan.
The former Nine Mile Road landfill, at Milburn Avenue and Voegier Road, closed in 1978. The proposed solar array would cover about 16 acres of the nearly 58-acre site.
Animal cruelty registry approved
The Board approved an ordinance to establish an animal cruelty registry. State law allowing such registries took effect July 1, 2024. The registry will include the names and relevant information of individuals convicted of certain felony offenses of animal cruelty.
Following a public hearing and discussion, the Board included language in the ordinance to clarify that individuals would be notified before being placed on the registry and that it would be limited to convictions that occurred on or after July 1, 2024.
Henrico Police Division will establish and maintain the registry.
Properties purchased to address flooding issues
The Board approved resolutions to buy four properties in the Fairfield District for a combined total of $4,400 and one property in the Varina District for $287,000. The county is acquiring these properties to address flooding and drainage issues in the area.
The purchased properties include 5400 and 5410 Hawthorne Ave., 5314 and 5402 Edgewood Ave. and 187 Brooks Road.
Surplus vehicles donated to area service agencies
The Board approved a resolution that establishes a program to donate surplus county vehicles to clients of Henrico’s Department of Social Services’ VIEW program and ReEstablish Richmond’s Transportation Independence Program.
The program will donate 12 vehicles annually through October 2028 to reduce van service costs and support transportation self-sufficiency for clients of these agencies.
Budget amendment introduced for consideration
The Board is considering a resolution to amend the fiscal year 2025-26 budget by about $14.2 million. This additional funding will support a second phase of construction at Glover Park, electric bus replacements and other capital expenses.
The Board will hold a public hearing on the amendments at its Dec. 16 meeting. Residents can go online to learn more about the budget and the amendments or register to speak at the public hearing.
Contract awarded for rehabilitation at water facility
The Board voted to award a $14.7 million contract for the replacement and rehabilitation of equipment at the Water Reclamation Facility.
The project will rehabilitate several secondary clarifiers and scum pump station wet wells and equipment, and install external scum pump station wet wells and equipment. Work is expected to begin in January and be completed in late spring 2028.
The Water Reclamation Facility, located in Varina, processes all wastewater discharged into Henrico’s sanitary sewer system. It treats an average of 45 million gallons of wastewater per day and returns it to the James River cleaner than before.
Public hearings for rezoning cases
The Board also held public hearings for several applications to rezone properties throughout the county.
A description of the cases and related reports by staff are available from the Planning Department. Presentations of the cases, including discussion by Board members and public comments, are available beginning at the 32-minute mark of the meeting video.