The Henrico County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting Tuesday, June 9. An agenda and video of the meeting are available on the board’s webpage.
Honorees and Recognitions
Doug Clevert Jr. named Chief of Henrico Fire Division
County Manager John. A Vithoulkas shared an announcement made the morning of the Board meeting: Doulas W. Clevert Jr. has been appointed to serve as chief of the Henrico County Division of Fire, effective June 13.
Clevert is succeeding Jackson Baynard, who recently began his work as deputy county manager for Public Safety in May. The county manager expressed his excitement for the service Clevert and Jackson will both continue to bring the community in their new roles.
“Doug is a true servant leader,” Vithoulkas said. “He is committed to serving his colleagues throughout the Division of Fire and is dedicated to providing the best service possible to the residents of our county.”
Chief Clevert brings more than 21 years of experience in municipal fire service to his appointment. He began his service 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, Clevert rose steadily through the ranks, holding positions ranging from firefighter to battalion chief, as well as in senior leadership and incident command roles.
Veteran Pat Johnson honored with Henrico Distinguished Community Service Medal, American Legion’s Person of the Year
At 99, U.S. Navy veteran Pat Johnson was honored by both the county and the Sandston American Legion (Post 144) in recognition of his sacrifices for the Navy and his community at home.
When the United States entered World War II, Johnson wanted to serve his country alongside his older brothers but was only 14. Instead, he volunteered as a Junior Air Raid Warden in Washington D.C. until he was old enough to enlist. Johnson was deployed by the Navy in early summer 1945 and arrived in Okinawa only a few months after the battle and witnessed the aftermath. With the war over, he served on the Navy LST 936 and also as a second-class mechanics mate until his discharge in 1948.
Johnson began his civilian career with the Chesapeake and Potomac telephone company, residing in the Sandston area since 1968.
Henrico presented Johnson the Distinguished Community Service Medal, which is the highest honor that can be awarded by the Board to an employee or resident who ‘performs a significant action that benefits the community or residents so profoundly that it goes above and beyond the call of duty.’
The Sandston American Legion Post 144 also recognized Johnson’s leadership and service to the American Legion, benefitting the community, state and nation. A legionnaire from Post 144 shook Johnson’s hand, saying “Pat was my grand marshal in the parade that got rained out for the second time, but we all decided that [he] should be Legion of the Year for 2026.”
Board recognizes Pride month for June
The county manager welcomed a representative from community partner, Side by Side, a 35-year-old organization serving LGBTQ+ youth across the commonwealth.
Side by Side Executive Director Marquis Mapp thanked the many educators, counselors, social workers, administrators and school staff across the county who have supported LGBTQ+ youth.
“We have had the great fortune to work alongside the Henrico community over the years, and so many in this community brought their willingness to listen, learn, and support students,” Mapp said. “This has made a real difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Henrico County has shown us that it is committed to seeing a safer and more affirming community for all youth, but also and specifically in the moment LGBTQ+ youth.”
Learn more about the initiatives and programs celebrating Pride month on the Henrico Outreach & Engagement webpage.
Cooper congratulates recent high school graduates
Board Chair and Fairfield District Supervisor Roscoe D. Cooper congratulated all the recent Henrico County high school graduates, wishing them luck on their future.
“We wish all of our graduates Godspeed, and we can’t wait to see what they will accomplish,” Cooper said.
Cooper also thanked the event organizers, personnel and safety teams who made the ceremonies possible.
Appreciation for Robert J. “Bobby” Ross
Tuckahoe District Supervisor Jody K. Rogish honored Richmond native, veteran and former NFL coach Robert J. “Bobby” Ross.
Though Ross’ career with collegiate and professional football teams took him across the country, his love for football started at Benedictine High School in 1955. He would later coach at his alma mater as well as Colonial Heights High School.
Ross graduated from Virginia Military Institute and served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant from 1960 to 1962. After his military service, he began his coaching career at high schools, before leading teams at William & Mary, the University of Maryland and The Citadel.
When recalling some of incredible players he was able to work with, he thanked his wife for supporting his career and making it possible for him to achieve wins all the way to his work on NFL teams Detroit Lions and San Diego Chargers.
Ross says this recognition of his representation of the Henrico community in the world of sports is especially meaningful coming from his hometown.
“I’m from Holly Park here in Richmond. I lived on the corner of Dove Street. I was a Hostage field hanger-out guy, and spent a lot of my time there,” Ross said.
Appreciation for Dottie Webster
Dottie Webster became a member of the Meadowood community in fall 1993 and has been a constant voice for the community.
Webster was instrumental in getting leaders involved with the Meadowood Community Preservation and Improvement Association (MCPIA) meetings, keeping zoning to small industry on Carolina Avenue and developing numerous petitions in support of the MCPIA. She also led initiatives to install speed humps on Lark Drive and participation in National Night Out celebrations in the area.
Board Chair and Fairfield Supervisor Roscoe D. Cooper honored Webster for her numerous contributions in approving the Meadowood community and neighborhood awareness.
Fiscal plan amendments, property acquisition and more
Amendments to FY 2025-26 Annual Fiscal Plan
The Board approved a resolution to amend the annual fiscal plan for 2025-26. The amendment totals $55.6 million, including about $38.2 million for operations and $17.4 for capital improvements. The amendment was previously introduced at the Board meeting May 26.
The operations portion includes $11.5 million for public safety overtime, $8.6 million for Henrico County Public Schools, $5 million for payment of hotel and motel taxes to the Great Richmond Convention Center Authority and $7.4 million for the Children’s Services Act Program.
The capital improvements portion includes the replacement of a fire engine and the addition of $15 million in federal Safe Streets and Road for All grant funding.
Information about the Henrico County budget and budget amendments is available online.
Increased fees for vacuum leaf collection
The Board approved an ordinance to increase the cost of the county’s residential vacuum leaf service from $30 to $50. The fees will now be $50 for the first and second stop and $100 for each additional stop at the same address.
The ordinance was introduced during a Board meeting Tuesday, May 12.
Learn more about leaf collection and other services from Public Works online.
Board approves measure to provide enhanced hazard duty benefits to EMTs
The Board passed a resolution for the county to offer enhanced hazard duty benefits to full-time emergency medical service technicians.
The county already offers these benefits to sworn personnel in the Police and Fire divisions, but recognized that many civilian positions perform dangerous duties within emergency medical services. Specifically, Henrico Fire has many employees in non-sworn roles who drive ambulances, are exposed to viruses and blood-borne pathogens, attend traumatic scenes and care for people who are confused, injured or in mental crisis.
Henrico believes that people performing in these high-risk and high-stress roles deserve to have accelerated benefits alongside their uniformed coworkers. Nearby localities Virginia Beach and Newport News have also adapted their benefits to support first responders with similar retirement options.
County acquires vacant parcel for future pocket park
The Board approved the acquisition for $235,500 of 1.37 acres near Ziontown Road in the Tuckahoe District. The lot is located next to 6 acres the county previously purchased alongside nonprofit Capital Region Land Conservancy for Roslyn Hills Park.
The site will be home to a future “pocket park.” The property was part of Ziontown, a Black community established following emancipation by Henry Pryor, who had been enslaved at nearby Ravenswood plantation.
Learn more about the future pocket park online.
Lakeside Avenue bridge replacement project moves forward
The Board has awarded the contract to replace Lakeside Avenue bridge. Sagres Construction Corp. will complete the work for $9.2 million. The work will include the removal of the existing structure and the addition of two 12-foot lanes with 8-foot shoulders.
The future structure will also incorporate drainage improvements and utility modifications. Learn more about the project online.
Next Board Meeting is June 23
The next Board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 23 in the Board Room in the Henrico County Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road. Residents may view the meeting in person or online via Webex. Learn how to prepare a public comment online.