Stafford County’s Board of Supervisors will hold its next meeting today, Tuesday, February 4, at 5 p.m. The meeting will be streamed live, and the agenda will be posted online.

Here’s a sample of what’s on the agenda today:

Transportation

A petition to have VDOT accept several roads into the state highway system: Decatur Road, Quarry Road, and Winding Creek’s Rotunda Way, Elmsley Lane, Driscoll Lane, Mountain Path Lane, Grisham Road, and Pima Court. These roads have been reviewed by VDOT and County staff and determined to be eligible for the State Highway System.

In Stafford County, public streets are usually built as part of an approved subdivision or development plan. Both VDOT and County staff monitor the construction, with VDOT having more control. The developer is responsible for building and maintaining the streets until they meet all VDOT requirements. Once the streets meet those standards and there are enough homes on them, VDOT will take over responsibility for maintenance and add the streets to the public highway system.

Planning Commission

The board will vote on approving the Planning Commissions annual report for activities in 2024.  The planning commission held 12 regular meetings and 31 public hearings in 2024. In 2023, they met 27 times.

11 public hearings were held for zoning reclassifications. This included changes for properties like Belmont Park, Clift Farm, Jackson Historic District, Stafford Technology Campus, and several others. 10 public hearings were held for Conditional Use Permits, with some applications also involving zoning reclassifications. The projects included Sheetz at Warrenton Road, Aquia Town Center Starbucks, two new elementary schools, Vulcan Concrete, and more.

Planning Commissioners also serve as members or liaisons to other boards and commissions. They are part of the Technical Review Committee (TRC), which meets when needed by the applicant or the County. This year, two TRC meetings were held, including projects for Belle Plains Campground and Cool Spring Self Storage Revision, attended by Commissioner Caudill.

The report also says the Planning Commission reviewed one residential subdivision, the Mainline subdivision, which was approved for 114 townhouse lots. They also approved a preliminary site plan for the Rocky Run Village subdivision with 107 single-family lots and the Melrod commercial site plan for 4 data center buildings, totaling 948,200 square feet.

Elections

A proposal to authorize the County Administrator to purchase electronic pollbooks at an initial cost of $226,420, with $25,800 annual fees for license, maintenance and support. The current pollbooks are ending their lifetime use, and the company no longer supports the operating system.

Sheriff’s Office

The sheriff’s office received a $12,500 grant from Virginia State Police’s Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) program. The sheriff is requesting the board approve the use of that grant for an automated license plate reader software. The proposal states the automated license reader will integrate with public safety programs like AMBER alerts and missing person investigations, in addition to improving the process of identifying stolen vehicles and apprehending suspects. The software would decrease the frequency of auto thefts in the county, according to the report.

 

 

On Saturday, February 1, 2024, Stafford County Public Schools hosted its highly anticipated Health and Wellness Fair at Colonial Forge High School, drawing hundreds of community members to participate in a day filled with activities, demonstrations, and fun.

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Press release:

At approximately 2:45 P.M. on Saturday, February 1st, units with Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) responded to a reported structure fire in the 100 block of Aquia Creek Road, near Aquia Creek. Callers reported a neighboring residence on fire, and first arriving units marked the scene less than 10 minutes later and confirmed fire and smoke coming from the rear and roof of a single-family residence.

Due to a lack of hydrants in the area, crews had to utilize rural water operations to shuttle water to the scene. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and bring it under control in approximately an hour, despite the roof collapsing.

The residence was not occupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The fire is under routine investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office. SCFR units were assisted on scene by Quantico Fire and Emergency Services.

 

Virginia’s General Assembly convened on January 8 for the start of its 30-day session; to keep readers informed on their local representatives’ efforts, we’ve reviewed some of their bills and votes. Virginia shares bills, votes, and schedules online through the Legislative Information System.

Virginia has 40 Senators who serve 4-year terms.

Senator Tara Durant (R) represents District 27, which encompasses the City of Fredericksburg and some parts of Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties. Durant was elected in 2023. She serves on the Education and Health, Local Government, and Privileges and Elections committees.

Durant is Patron or Co-Patron on 50 bills. We explored a few:

SB749 K-12 schools and institutions of higher education; student participation in women’s sports; civil cause of action.

This bill mandates that all athletic teams or sports sponsored by public schools, Virginia High School League members, or public higher education institutions be designated based on the biological sex of participants. Teams must be labeled as male, female, or coed/mixed if open to both sexes. A signed physician’s statement is required to affirm the biological sex of any student wanting to join a designated team.

It prohibits female-designated teams from allowing male participants and ensures that no government entity, accrediting organization, or athletic association can take action against a school or institution for not following this rule. The bill also allows schools or institutions to take legal action if harmed by violations and permits students to file a civil suit if they are harmed due to a violation or for reporting one.

This bill was passed indefinitely by the Education and Health committee.

SB1241 Charitable gaming; certain common interest communities to conduct bingo.

This bill allows common interest communities serving residents 55 or older to become qualified organizations for conducting Bingo. Virginia currently has 520 organizations that are registered and allowed to conduct charitable gaming.

The bill is in the Finance and Appropriations committee, having passed the General Laws and Technology committee 10-5.

SB1244 Ed. opportunities for children of fed. employees; students transferring from foreign countries.

This bill aims to smooth the transition for children of federal employees who are transferring from foreign education into a Commonwealth school. The bill states delays in receiving school records from other countries and variances in attendance, curriculum, or other policies should not delay the student’s admittance to their Virginia school.

The bill passed the Education and Health committee 15-0 and is in the Senate.

SB1238 Health insurance; cost sharing for breast examinations.

This bill prohibits health insurance carriers from requiring cost sharing (such as copayments or deductibles) for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations under certain health insurance policies, subscription contracts, and healthcare plans in Virginia, starting January 1, 2026. The bill defines these examinations to include diagnostic mammography, breast MRI, and breast ultrasound. This legislation is based on a recommendation from the Health Insurance Reform Commission.

The bill was incorporated with SB1436, which passed the Senate 40-0.

SB1289 Public elementary and secondary schools; nutritional standards for school meals and other foods.

This bill prohibits public elementary and secondary schools from offering or making students any foods that contain one of seven artificial dyes. The prohibited dyes include Red No. 3 and No. 40.

The bill passed the Education and Health committee and is in the Senate.

SB1443 Income tax; state; establishes car tax credit.

This bill would offer a tax credit for taxable years 2025 through 2027 to individuals who meet certain criteria in order to offset personal property taxes on vehicles. The bill notes that the personal property tax relief program has not been adjusted for changes in population, number of vehicles, and average vehicle value since 2004, when it established a $950 million program to distribute tax relief statewide.

The bill was passed indefinitely in the Finance and Appropriation Committee.

Jeremy McPike (D) represents District 29, which encompasses parts of Prince William and Stafford Counties. He is the Chair of the Local Government Committee, and serves on the Commerce and Labor, Finance and Appropriations, General Laws and Technology, and Rules committees.

McPike is listed as Patron or Co-Patron on 40 bills. We explored a few:

SB1301 Workers’ compensation benefits; post-traumatic stress disorder incurred by firefighters, etc.

The bill extends the duration of workers’ compensation benefits for law enforcement officers and firefighters suffering from mental health disorders incurred in the line of duty. It increases the maximum duration for anxiety or depressive disorders from 52 weeks to 104 weeks, and for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from 52 weeks to 500 weeks.

This bill passed the Commerce and Labor Committee 15-0 and was referred to Finance and Appropriations on Jan. 20.

HJ1 Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to reproductive freedom (first reference).

Senator McPike was the Senate patron for this bill; Del. Cole and many others were patrons in the House.

This bill affirms that every individual has a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including decisions related to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility care. This right can only be restricted by a compelling state interest and the least restrictive means.

The Commonwealth can regulate abortion in the third trimester, but cannot prohibit it when necessary to protect the health or life of the individual, or if the fetus is not viable.

The bill passed 21-18 on Jan. 31. Vote detail was not available at the time of writing.

SB1312 Real property tax; high exemption locality reimbursements.

This bill would establish a reimbursement program for high exemption localities starting in tax year 2025. These localities will receive 50% reimbursement from the Commonwealth for the exemption value of real property that is exempt from taxes for disabled veterans or surviving spouses of fallen service members.

The exemption value is based on real property exceeding one percent of the locality’s total property value in 2022. A “high exemption locality” is defined as a locality where at least one percent of real property was exempt for these reasons in 2022.

The bill also mandates the Department to assist local revenue commissioners with data for administering the program. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed during the 2025 General Assembly session.

This bill was passed by indefinitely on Jan. 23 by the Finance and Appropriations Committee with a 7-6 vote.

SJ249 Constitutional amendment; marriage between two adult persons, etc., (first reference).

This bill affirms the right of two adult persons to marry, regardless of their sex, gender, or race, and prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from denying a marriage license based on these factors. It also mandates that all lawful marriages be recognized and treated equally under the law.

This amendment repeals the provision that defined marriage as only between one man and one woman, along with related provisions invalidated by the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges.

This bill passed Jan. 21 with a 24-15 vote. McPike and Durant both voted Yea.

SB1303 Public elementary and secondary schools; diabetes medical care and management in public schools.

This bill makes several changes to how public schools manage and care for students with diabetes. Students with parental consent and a provider’s approval may carry and use diabetic care supplies and manage their condition independently while at school. School Boards must ensure a certain number of school employees complete diabetes care training, and the bill expands the care services that school employees may assist with.

The bill is in the Senate.

SB1306 Taxation, Department of; repealing Virginia Free File Tax program.

This bill directs the state Tax Commissioner to end the Virginia Free File program and its agreement with the Consortium for Virginia.

It requires the Tax Commissioner to develop a new free individual state income tax filing program, starting in taxable year 2028, which will be similar to and compatible with the federal IRS Direct File program. To create this program, the Tax Commissioner must work with the IRS through a memorandum of understanding.

The General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on Saturday, Feb. 22. Senators will continue introducing and reviewing bills throughout the period.

Virginia’s General Assembly convened on January 8 for the start of its 30-day session; to keep readers informed on their local representatives’ efforts, we’ve reviewed some of their bills and votes. Virginia shares bills, votes, and schedules online through the Legislative Information System.

Virginia has 100 delegates who serve two-year terms. Between Jan. 8 and Jan. 30, 2,370 bills were introduced by delegates and senators. A total of 287 have failed the House of Delegates so far, and 306 have passed the House, many of which have moved into a committee for further review.

Delegate Joshua Cole (D) represents the 65th District, which includes the City of Fredericksburg and parts of Spotsylvania and Stafford. Cole won re-election in November 2024 and is a member of three committees: General Laws, Health and Human Services, and Privileges and Elections.

Cole did not cast any votes on Jan. 30. On previous days, he voted Yes on all floor votes. Cole was a Patron or Chief Patron of 131 bills. We explored a few:

HB1600 Budget Amendment

Cole has requested $25,000 from the General Fund to support Stafford County’s Rappahannock Education Farm.

HB1598 Individual income tax; first-time homebuyer tax credit.

This bill would create a one-time tax credit for first-time homebuyers. From 2025 to 2029, eligible homebuyers can receive a nonrefundable income tax credit of up to $10,000 for expenses related to buying their first home. The credit is based on the purchase price of the home. However, if the buyer sells the home within three years of purchasing it, they will have to repay the credit.

The bill passed two committees with 5-3 and 11-10 split votes and is currently waiting for review by the Commerce, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee.

HB1599 Certain end-of-course Standards of Learning assessments; elimination and replacement.

This bill would eliminate the Department of Education’s end-of-course
Standards of Learning tests for Chemistry and World War II. Instead, localities would be required to create an end-of-course assessment for both courses.

The bill was referred to the Education Committee.

HB1601 Siting of data centers; site assessment; high energy use facility.

This bill would require localities to have applicants for data centers to perform and submit site assessments of sound assessments for residential areas and schools within 500 feet of the property boundary. Localities will also be allowed to require assessments of the impact of a new data center on agriculture, water, parks, historical sites, and forestlands.

The bill passed the house 57-40 and was referred to the Committee on Local Government on Jan. 24.

HB1635 Certified nurse midwives; licensed, certified midwives; independent practice; organized medical staff.

This bill allows licensed certified midwives (LCMs) to practice independently after completing 1,000 hours under a practice agreement, as long as they confirm the physician or midwife they worked with. It also lets certified nurse midwives (CNMs) and LCMs form practice agreements with other CNMs or LCMs who are authorized to practice independently. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health to update regulations so that organized medical staff can include independent practice midwives, physicians, and dentists.

The committee voted 21-0 to pass, with Cole not voting.

Delegate Paul Milde (R) was elected in 2023 and represents the 64th District, part of Stafford County. Milde serves on the Privileges and Elections and Transportation Committees.

Milde and Cole were sponsors of HB2164 Public school funding, specific funding calculations.

This bill requires the Dept. of Education to remove the value of real estate property eligible for tax exemptions for disabled veterans or surviving spouses when calculating a locality’s ability to pay for each school division. This bill would increase funding for areas with significant veteran populations.

The bill was set aside by the Appropriations committee.

Milde and Cole were both patrons of the HB1991 Domestic and Sexual Assault Conviction Database; established.

This bill would require the State Police to establish a database of persons convicted of certain crimes against family members or household members. The public could access this information on the State Police website, and persons listed would be able to petition for their removal from the database.

The bill was referred to the Committee for Courts of Justice.

Milde introduced 56 bills as a Chief Patron or Co-Patron. We explored a few:

HB2127 Local gov’t. employees; establishes a framework for the locality to establish & implement telework policy.

This bill allows localities to establish a framework to allow telework for local government employees. Employees would have to commit to a telework agreement, and requests for remote work would need to be approved by different authorities based on the number of remote workdays per week.

The bill was submitted January 7, before President Donald Trump  mandated federal employees return to the workplace. It was set aside by the Counties, Cities and Towns committee on Jan. 17.

HB1551 Income tax, state; removes sunset on elevated standard deduction amounts, etc.

This bill would remove the sunset provision which currently applies to the current standard deduction amounts, which were established in 2017’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As a result, the current standard deduction amounts would apply permanently and not expire after Taxable Year 2025.

Under current law, the standard deduction amounts are $8,500 for single individuals and $17,000 for married persons filing jointly. Because of the sunset provision, the standard deduction is currently set to revert to $3,000 for single individuals and $6,000 for married persons filing jointly after Taxable Year 2025. If enacted during the regular session of the 2025 General Assembly, this bill would become effective July 1, 2025.

This bill was assigned to a Finance subcommittee on Jan. 25.

HB1885 Juvenile/adult adjudicated delinquent/convicted of violent juvenile felony; immigration status.

This bill would require the Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice to report any juveniles or adults found guilty of violent juvenile crimes to ICE if they are found to be in the country illegally.

The bill was referred to the Committee for Courts of Justice.

HB2129 Exchange of items on roadways; the ability of localities to prohibit.

This bill would allow localities to ban the exchange or attempted exchange of any item between a pedestrian and the occupant of a motor vehicle on a roadway. Violators could receive a fine of $50 or less.

The bill was set aside by the Counties, Cities and Towns committee on Jan. 24.

HB1985 Child support orders; date of conception.

For children conceived on or after July 1, 2025, this bill would make child support orders retroactive to the date of conception. Under current law, child support orders are retroactive to the date of the filing for child support.

This bill was struck from the docket on Jan. 15.

Candi Mundon King (D) represents the 23rd District, which covers part of Prince William and Stafford Counties. She chairs the Counties, Cities and Towns committee; is Vice Chair of Public Safety, and a member of the Finance and Labor and Commerce Committees. King was a Patron or Co-Patron of 80 bills. King voted Yes on all Floor votes except HB2595, related to tax credits for firearm safety devices. That bill later passed 99 – 0 after a passage was reconsidered. We explored a few of King’s bills:

HB1614 Postpartum doula care; DMAS to amend state plan for medical assistance services.

This bill directs the state medical plan to provide payments for post-partum doula care.

The bill passed the house 89 to 9 on Jan. 28. Cole was also a patron of this bill.

HB1844 Baby Food Protection Act; testing and labeling requirements for toxic heavy metals.

This bill provides for a work group to study the presence of toxic metals in baby food products and requires manufacturers to comply with limits and testing requirements set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This bill was assigned to the Commerce, Agriculture and Natural Resources subcommittee.

HB2041 Speed safety cameras; placement and operation.

This bill allows localities to install speed cameras. New cameras must be announced publicly and requires a warning by mail for the first 30 days instead of a ticket or fine. It also requires localities have periodic reviews of the cameras and traffic impacts, provide public information about usage of the cameras, and form advisory groups related to the use of the cameras.

The bill was amended by the Transportation Committee.

HB1928 Minimum wage.

This bill raises the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2027. The increase will be done in increments: minimum wage was $12.41 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2025 and will raise to $13.50 effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The bill passed the House 50-46 on Jan. 30; the voters’ list was not available at the time of writing.

The House of Delegates is scheduled to adjourn on Saturday, Feb. 22. Delegates will continue introducing and reviewing bills throughout the period.

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors is progressing toward finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Department of Economic Development.

The draft MOU aims to clarify the roles and responsibilities of both entities in promoting economic growth and business attraction within the county. However, concerns raised by some Board members suggest that the document may need further refinement before it can be adopted.

During a work session on January 28, 2025, Liz Barber, the county’s Director of Economic Development, presented the draft MOU, highlighting the extensive process that led to its creation. The document was developed over the past year, with input from both county administration and EDA members. Its goal is to establish clear guidelines and expectations for the EDA and the Department of Economic Development, particularly regarding the administrative processes, division of duties, and collaboration between the two bodies.

The EDA has seven members who assist the Board of Supervisors in attracting and financing industry and commerce to the community.

Most recently, the EDA was instrumental in hammering out a performance agreement with Amazon Web Services for the Old Potomac Church Data Center Site. Barber explained that whenever the Board approves an incentive agreement of Supervisors, the EDA serves as the conduit for reimbursing agreed-upon fees after the project completes certain milestones. These milestones ensure the necessary capital and infrastructure improvements are made. Without the EDA, Stafford County could not offer competitive incentives to secure essential projects like the AWS data center.

It was also active in the Stafford Germanna Community College expansion by contributing $750,000 toward the newly opened Stafford location for Germanna Community College.

The MOU outlines key responsibilities, including financial procedures such as access to EDA bank accounts, passwords, and loan underwriting processes. Barber emphasized that the document was designed to provide stability and consistency, ensuring that regardless of staff changes or leadership transitions, the roles and responsibilities of both entities remain clear. As Barber explained in a recent communication, the lack of an MOU to date has created challenges, and this new document will formalize existing operational guidelines that both entities have been following informally.

“There is no MOU in place to date, prompting the need and interest in having one to go forward,” Barber said. “The interest in generating this document is likely driven by the desire to create consistency, which will alleviate confusion as new staff, elected officials, and EDA members come and go through the years.”

However, Board members voiced concerns over the document’s alignment with the county’s strategic goals. Supervisor Pamela Yeung, for instance, questioned whether the MOU sufficiently reflects the county’s vision for economic development, especially in light of the upcoming strategic plan being developed. Yeung noted that the EDA’s strategic plan is waiting to be updated, and she expressed reluctance to move forward with the MOU until there is more clarity about how both entities’ strategic goals will align.

“I just feel that when reading through it, I saw a reference to staff, and I wasn’t sure who the staff was. Was it the county staff, the ED staff, or county administration staff?” Yeung remarked. “Without the strategic plan, it’s hard for me to support this right now.”

Another concern some members, including Supervisor Darrell English, raised was the need for a more robust, long-term strategy to guide the county’s economic development efforts. While the MOU establishes basic administrative procedures, questions remain about the direction of business incentives, the role of the EDA in site development, and how both entities can work together to attract the types of businesses that align with Stafford’s growth goals.

“I feel like we need more than just administrative guidelines,” English said. “We need something that will help define the county’s approach to business development and create clear goals for the EDA.”

Barber responded by explaining that the MOU was intended to be an “evergreen” document capable of evolving with the county’s strategic goals. She emphasized that the Economic Development Department has been working closely with the EDA to ensure that both entities are aligned. However, further changes could be made as the county’s strategic plan is finalized.

Despite the concerns, Barber expressed confidence that the MOU, once approved, will provide a clear framework for the future. “This is about creating guardrails for us to work together effectively,” she explained. “It’s important that we move forward with a solid foundation, even as we continue to refine our goals.”

In the coming weeks, the Board will continue to discuss the MOU’s details and ensure they align with the county’s strategic goals and the evolving role of the EDA. Supervisors also emphasized the importance of revisiting the MOU regularly to adapt to changing economic conditions and ensure the county’s economic development efforts remain dynamic and effective.

Join Potomac Point Winery in Stafford from Saturday, February 1,  for a sweet treat.

Enjoy Chocolate & Wine Flights from 5 to 10 p.m., offering pairings served on illuminated flight stands adorned with hearts.

At just $20, this enchanting experience is the perfect way to kick off the season and add a little Valentine’s magic to your evening. Available in both the Bistro and Wine Tents, this is a must-try for all chocolate and wine lovers!

Have an event you’d like to share? It’s free to submit! Just fill out the simple form at this link: https://form.jotform.com/221630757468058. Follow the instructions on the page to get your event featured!

Stafford County Public Schools' new superintendent says the division is facing significant financial challenges as it prepares for continued growth in student enrollment and increasing demand for specialized services. In a presentation at the Stafford County School Board meeting on January 28, Dr. Daniel Smith unveiled the school system’s funding request for fiscal year 2026 (FY26), which calls for additional resources to support its expanding student body and its growing need for special education services.

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Small business owners and marketing professionals from across Virginia gathered in Stafford County on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, for the inaugural Stafford Tourism & Business Marketing Summit at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center.

The one-day, free event focused on digital marketing, branding, and artificial intelligence, providing attendees with insights into how businesses can enhance their outreach and advertising strategies. The summit featured a keynote address by Greg Kihlström, a best-selling author and consultant specializing in marketing technology and digital transformation.

A Day Packed with Insights and Strategy

The summit’s agenda included breakout sessions on social media strategies, branding, and data analytics, giving business owners tools to enhance their marketing efforts. A panel discussion closed the event, allowing industry experts to share their thoughts on the latest trends in digital marketing.

Among the speakers was Jay Owen, CEO of Business Builders, a marketing agency he founded in 1999. Owen, who has spoken at conferences nationwide, emphasized that the challenges businesses face today are increasingly universal rather than region-specific.

“It’s more globalized now than it ever has been because of the internet,” Owen explained. “Back in the day, what a local community needed marketing-wise was much more niche, but now, most people are staring at their phones half the time anyway. The question is: how do we connect with them wherever they are? Even if I’m a local business, I still need to reach people whether they’re at home or on the go.”

AI’s Growing Influence on Marketing

One of the most talked-about topics of the day was artificial intelligence’s impact on marketing and search engine optimization (SEO). Despite the uncertainty surrounding AI’s influence on marketing, Owen believes businesses should embrace the change rather than fear it.

“There aren’t a lot of hard answers on it yet because of all the AI changes in the world,” he said. “It’s just not what it used to be. That said, I always tell people you’ve got two choices: you can be scared about it or excited about it.”

Speakers and Industry Experts

The event brought together a diverse group of marketing professionals, including:

• Zack Flanagan, CEO of Hive Marketing, who emphasized data-driven marketing strategies
• Chris Muldrow, owner of Rambletype, a Fredericksburg-based digital marketing firm
• Lindsey Norment, Brand Director for the Virginia Tourism Corporation, who discussed the role of tourism marketing in economic development
• Annie Plotkin, a paid media strategist specializing in building brand awareness through digital advertising
• Mark Devito, a three-time Emmy Award-winning creative director, who highlighted the power of storytelling in branding