The Henrico County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting Tuesday, June 23. An agenda and video are available on the board’s webpage.
Doug Clevert Jr. sworn in as Henrico’s 12th Fire chief
Following a recent announcement of his appointment, Doug W. Clevert Jr. was formally installed as chief of the Division of Fire. He succeeds Jackson Baynard, who was promoted in May to deputy county manager of Public Safety.
Clevert, who previously served as Fire’s deputy chief, was sworn into his new post by Henrico Circuit Chief Judge Rondelle D. Herman in a Board Room packed with family, colleagues and other supporters.
“This is not about a title. It’s not about a badge, a rank, a position,” Clevert said in remarks to the Board. “Today is about responsibility, trust and the sacred commitment we make to serve our people.”
Clevert has more than 21 years of experience in municipal fire service. His career started with the Richmond Fire Department, where he worked for 15 years before joining Henrico Fire in 2020 as an assistant fire chief. Throughout his career, he has served as a firefighter and battalion chief as well as roles in senior leadership and incident command.
K Alferio celebrated upon her retirement as Cultural Arts Center president and CEO
The Board presented a resolution celebrating K Alferio as she prepares to retire after 18 years as president and CEO of the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. She has played a central role in promoting arts and community programming, fostering engagement and positioning the center as a hub of creativity for the county and region.
Alferio thanked the supervisors and other officials for supporting the arts and how it can be a source of enrichment and strength for the community. She noted how the arts center has partnered with the James River Juvenile Detention Center and its residents to create murals in various public spaces. She recalled a particular unveiling, when a young artist asked her why the supervisors were there.
“I said, ‘They’re here because of you. We want to recognize what you’ve done,’” she said. “And they were completely overwhelmed. They couldn’t believe that you would take the time to come out and do that, so I want to thank you for that.”
Shirley Lyons lauded for service to Hermitage Enterprises
During its afternoon work session, the Board honored Shirley Lyons as she retires as program manager for Hermitage Enterprises, which provides supervised work opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She started her career with Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services in 1991 as a Hermitage’s workshop supervisor and was promoted in 1998 to manager of day services.
County Manager John Vithoulkas noted that, under Lyons’ leadership, the workshop has become a thriving business, with annual profits from 1992 through 2020 and healthy reserves to support individuals’ service needs. She also successfully guided the program through the COVID-19 pandemic and as it transitioned to offering more community-based activities, he said.
“The people we serve are the reason I am here,” Lyons told the Board. “I am proud of what we have accomplished and how we have grown over the years. … The support of the Board of Supervisors has been instrumental for everything that we have done.”
Because of that, she said, Henrico is the only Virginia locality offering a day-support program that serves individuals without Medicaid or other insurance. “You have enhanced the lives of so many people because of this,” she said.
Juneteenth Celebration draws more than 20,000 to Dorey Park
Henrico’s sixth-annual Juneteenth Celebration attracted more than 20,000 people to Dorey Park on June 20 for a day filled with live music, a kids zone, food, vendors and fireworks finale.
An “incredible, unforgettable experience,” Varina District Supervisor Tyrone Nelson said. “I want to thank our organizers from Henrico Recreation & Parks, from its leader, John Zannino, to every single person with Rec and Parks, our Police, Fire … anybody who had anything to do with making Juneteenth another incredible celebration of African American culture – one of the largest such events, if not the largest, in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Rogish, Cooper, Nelson appointed to regional boards
Among a series of appointments, the Board tapped Tuckahoe District Supervisor Jody K. Rogish to serve on the Greater Richmond Partnership Board of Directors. The organization promotes the region for economic development. The Board also appointed Chair and Fairfield District Supervisor Roscoe D. Cooper III to serve on the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors and Nelson to serve on the Virginia Transit Association Board of Directors.
Board authorizes submission of plans for federal housing funds
After a public hearing, the Board approved a resolution for the county’s planned use of nearly $3 million in federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME program funds to address housing needs across the community. The resolution authorizes the county to submit its Fiscal Year 2026-27 Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by Aug. 16 and authorizes agreements to implement the CDBG and HOME programs.
Board releases interest in easement by St. Mary’s Hospital
After a public hearing, the Board authorized the execution of a quitclaim deed, releasing the county of any interest in a utility easement at 5801 Bremo Road. The move clears the way for an expansion of St. Mary’s Hospital.
Household refuse disposal fees to increase July 1
After a public hearing, the Board approved an ordinance that sets higher fees for the disposal of household refuse at the county’s public use areas. The new fees will take effect July 1.
With the changes, the fee for disposing of household waste and up to four tires would be $5, up from $3. The fee for disposing of as many as two additional tires would be $5 per tire, up from $1 per tire. The fee for disposing of household appliances containing chlorofluorocarbon or hydrochlorofluorocarbon would be $20, up from $15.
The disposal of household recyclable materials and vegetative waste areas remain free for residents.
Comparable fees charged by neighboring localities are generally double Henrico’s new fees, Public Utilities Director Bentley Chan said. The county’s most recent fee increase came in the 1990s, when the fee for household waste was increased from $2, he said.
Board appropriates funds in accordance with adopted budget
The Board approved a resolution to appropriate funds in accordance with the adopted budget for fiscal year 2026-27. The budget was approved April 14 and takes effect for the year beginning July 1.
Noting the General Assembly’s approval of a state budget this week, Cooper said the supervisors intend to amend the county budget to include the state’s recommended 4% pay increase for teachers and other school personnel. The county budget includes a 3% raise for employees, including teachers.
4 acres acquired for Liesfeld Farm Drive project
The Board authorized the acquisition of 4 acres at 12325 Kain Road for $800,000 for the Liesfeld Farm Drive Extension Project. The project is under construction and will include improvements at North Gayton Road and Liesfeld Farm as well as construction of a one-lane roundabout located about 700 feet west of Gayton.
Greenwood Road land acquired for drainage improvements and flood mitigation
The Board authorized the purchase of property at 11490 Greenwood Road for $6,800 for drainage improvements and flood mitigation.
Glover Park Phase II funding approved
The Board authorized a change order totaling $2.5 million for additional work included in a second phase of improvements at Glover Park. That includes stadium improvements, entrance monument signage, power for irrigation and drainage.
Overall, the project includes two new NCAA-regulation synthetic turf baseball fields, dugouts, bullpens, scoreboards, LED sports lighting, site work for four future baseball fields and a restroom building as well as new parking spaces, a dog park, playground, fitness station area, misting pole plaza, shade shelters and a 5-k trail.
Contracted awarded for Henrico High field renovations
The Board voted to award a $2.5 million contract to The Landtek Group, LLC for renovations to the baseball and softball fields at Henrico High School. The project will include demolition of the existing fields, regrading and installation of synthetic turf playing surfaces. Both fields will have new LED athletic field lighting, new fencing, concrete sidewalks and pads, and new dugouts for the baseball field. Construction is expected to start in July and be completed in early 2027.
The fields will be maintained by Recreation & Parks and available for tournaments when not in use by Henrico County Public Schools.
Next meeting set for July 28
The Board’s next scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, July 28. The Board’s schedule includes only one meeting in July.