[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6067779,"mediaKeyId","3111270-4b6261351a8ba77cbac865cb92678165","parentId",3111270,"title","Residents urge supervisors to reject Diode data center rezoning; county shares VEDP impact estimates","audioSeconds",2798,"startMs",7003000,"endMs",4205000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3111270-4b6261351a8ba77cbac865cb92678165&start=7003&end=4205","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3111270-4b6261351a8ba77cbac865cb92678165/thumbnail_7003000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6067779/Charles-City-County/Virginia/Residents-urge-supervisors-to-reject-Diode-data-center-rezoning-county-shares-VEDP-impact-estimates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067779-b361942cc8ff9ee5f49ccd4ca9e7d0a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195370&Signature=ZWg-K9WsHvQkrN45rS2k8jOa0AUPodBruUtRpDCO-RIJ0uZcdNyhu1FXm8KzzBLDAsSrYNzHJEJxC-y5jLF66UIYePyWZW~geRkcIEG5iOHxU8oP22KgBm4nEUfzfB49P4c~FvKpQTIP4GCfLKBYYHjCIbSQOfyveC7-BGjuFstxfXkJ0slbNnvRthWIzuM0JLpef3qKODwkj3wXwJqNDMyM3fIjGNchQwvZ9nPo8UoRUQGmL6E~ITL04MLoqQ5OaKoE9aXzj8q8GoUZOo-8O4qgHSCbfP92FloisyasVWvtoOYTKB1lORtNMOTq8uCVbw9SF8B39sv3CgMMUNd1PQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Charles City County","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Residents asked the Charles City County Board of Supervisors to oppose a proposed rezoning for a large data center project near Roxbury Road and Old Union Road, telling the board the county's rural, residential and agricultural areas are not appropriate locations for heavy industrial data complexes.

Several speakers urged the board to use the county's industrial-reserve land and not rezone neighborhoods for large data-center facilities. They warned of years of construction, 24/7 generator noise, truck traffic and potential long-term impacts on wetlands, wildlife and property values.

What the county presented

Cynthia Boone of the county's Economic Development and Tourism office presented material from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) that illustrated how a hypothetical large data center could affect local tax revenue over 20 years under current local tax assumptions. Boone said VEDP's slides showed potential state and local tax contributions and noted VEDP's claim that data centers require relatively limited public services while generating substantial tax receipts. She also said VEDP representatives will present more detail at an Economic Development Authority meeting the week following the board meeting.

Citizens' concerns

Speakers including Brandy Moreno, Georgia Pulliam and Nellie Turpin emphasized the project's scale and location in established residential and agricultural neighborhoods. Pulliam told the board the property is \"not in an industrial reserve area\" on the county's future land-use map and asked, \"How can this board justify rezoning for an industrial project when the county's own plan warns against development that damages sensitive natural areas?\" (paraphrased).

Other residents said special-use permits and other projects in the county had not been consistently enforced and argued the county should not approve rezoning without fuller public review and firmer assurances about noise, traffic and environmental protections.

Planning process and timing

County staff said the rezoning application and formal planning commission review were scheduled for the April 10 Planning Commission meeting. Boone said VEDP would be available at an EDA session the following Thursday to discuss the economic material it had shared; she emphasized the VEDP slides were high-level and offered by that state agency.

What the record does not show

No formal rezoning vote occurred at the supervisors' meeting. The public comments in the meeting reflect strong local opposition and indicate the board and planning commission will face extensive public input at formal hearings.

Ending

Residents asked supervisors to direct any industrial-scale data center to industrial reserve locations rather than residential or agricultural neighborhoods. County staff said state and county agencies would continue to provide information ahead of the planning commission hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Charles City County, VA Regular Monthly Board Meeting 3/25/25","oneSentenceSummary","Residents told the Charles City County Board of Supervisors they oppose a proposed rezoning that would allow an eight‑building data center complex in a rural residential/agricultural area and urged the board to use industrial reserve land instead.","taxTitle","Charles City County, Virginia","taxId",74284,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6067784,"Davenport tells Charles City supervisors fund balance has fallen sharply; residents press for forensic audit",1053,1749000,2802000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3111270-4b6261351a8ba77cbac865cb92678165&start=1749&end=2802","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3111270-4b6261351a8ba77cbac865cb92678165/thumbnail_1749000.jpg","/articles/6067784/Charles-City-County/Virginia/Davenport-tells-Charles-City-supervisors-fund-balance-has-fallen-sharply-residents-press-for-forensic-audit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067784-bad76e2a3bf34c06c40c759b103eb21e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195370&Signature=oEwJ~CSlN2OSdh0gZfxp~B~tRw5xu-zNkkNpIzPvn1sUh53lYJ0LxZgmu7PDxnwPYiAbxIJnmdJx4uVJF1NU-~w7bcraGwQ7BAN~fNNh4~I1Mbi2O7Bb0cDUcS4H99qnDnuXFvVVx93ZtMo8lPcQ~c0CTzsGia~j7MHdxwxezHnMQCrVpJ37W-0G0PT8bFCv9DCmQZTpLLK0TFPGGacGilEBOBm92SXIEegD~QniIrHqoL8y~C5UeX8jXTx1jWKFEmaXQqkoAF~wsGDQhQjBdE-WL~7Ad40dwU0qCM7ErWpeGgV6KphC75JUN24qtqCE2litfX7tnCibtQrL4npwBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Davenport public finance advisers told the Charles City County Board of Supervisors that the county's unassigned fund balance fell from about $10,000,000 at the end of fiscal 2021 to about $5,000,000 at the end of fiscal 2023 and that the county issued a $5,000,000 revenue anticipation note last year to manage cash needs.

The warning came during a presentation from David Rose of Davenport, who said the firm recommended securing an updated fiscal audit and producing a short-term cash-flow plan for banks so the county can arrange follow-up financing. \"We need that '24 audit,\" Rose said, adding that banks will likely want a current audit and explanation before extending new short-term credit.

Why it matters: Davenport told the board the county used budgeted fund balance in FY2024 (about $1,600,000 budgeted use was cited), a practice the advisers said is not sustainable. Residents in a packed auditorium responded with repeated calls for transparency, an independent forensic audit and clearer explanations of how the county will repay the $5 million note due June 30.

Davenport presentation and recommendations

David Rose, who manages Davenport's public finance practice, and his partner Kyle Lauckx reviewed historical audited balances and current liquidity needs. Rose summarized audited balances as about $10,000,000 (FY2021), $8,000,000 (FY2022) and $5,000,000 (FY2023). He told the board the FY2024 budget included a planned use of approximately $1,600,000 in fund balance and stressed the county's need for an up-to-date FY2024 audit to clarify the current position.

Rose recommended:
- Obtain and review the FY2024 audit as soon as possible.
- Produce a monthly cash-flow projection of near-term inflows and outflows to use with lenders.
- Recruit a permanent county administrator with strong finance experience.
- Consider a forensic audit only after staff and a new administrator work through the audit findings and cannot explain material discrepancies.

Rose said an emergency one-year revenue anticipation note (RAN) issued last year (about $5,000,000 at a roughly 4.38% fixed rate) will come due June 30, and that securing follow-on borrowing will likely require the FY2024 audit and a credible plan.

Public comments and citizen demands

More than two dozen residents addressed the board in two public-comment periods. Common themes included requests for immediate, independent financial review, frustration with delayed audits, and concern about long-term consequences for county services and taxes.

Resident Doreen Billingsley said, \"We have been begging for transparency and it has fallen on deaf ears,\" and urged the board to begin a forensic audit. Steve Hart, who said he works for neighboring Henrico County, asked whether Charles City had a balanced budget and whether county leaders were being transparent.

Several speakers linked long-running concerns about financial management to calls for accountability. Bill Hopkey noted audits had repeatedly cited material weaknesses in internal control and asked why those notes had not led to corrective action. \"Now here we are trying to figure out how we can actually refund this revenue anticipation note,\" he said.

Board responses and next steps

County staff distributed an unaudited revenues-and-expenses report through February showing a gap in expected revenue collections; the finance director described the report as \"unaudited\" and said it would be updated monthly. County Administrator Mr. Warner and staff told the board they were pursuing the FY2024 audit and working to provide clearer monthly reports to supervisors and the public.

Davenport said it can help the county present finances to banks and recommended the board plan for a possible short-term financing solution after June 30 while pursuing longer-term fixes.

Votes at a glance

The meeting record included several formal motions and votes on routine and budget-related matters (all listed here as recorded motions followed by board outcome where available):
- Motion to adopt the meeting agenda: passed (board recorded unanimous approval).
- Motion to approve the consent agenda: passed (unanimous).
- Motion to accept a $210 donation to Sheriff's Department: passed (unanimous).
- Motion to accept a $500 donation for Fire & EMS: passed (unanimous).
- Motion to accept a $50,000 Virginia Housing Community Impact Planning Grant: passed (unanimous).
- Motion to approve a landfill-monitoring contract extension with Jacobs: passed (unanimous).
- Motion to amend agreement to extend statutes of limitation and add an addendum to the waste-management contract (toll agreement): passed (unanimous).
- Motion to defer action on a resolution concerning attorney costs until April: passed (unanimous).

What the record does not show

Davenport emphasized that the FY2024 audit is not yet complete and that the bank market will likely require a current audit to underwrite new short-term borrowing. County staff said the FY2024 audit is expected but did not provide a firm public completion date.

Ending

Supervisors said they will continue to press for the FY2024 audit and monthly unaudited financial updates, and Davenport said it will assist with short-term market outreach if requested. Meanwhile, residents continued to call for immediate independent review and clearer public disclosure of county finances.","Davenport public finance advisers told the Charles City County Board of Supervisors that the county's unassigned fund balance fell from about $10,000,000 at the end of fiscal 2021 to about $5,000,000 at the end of fiscal 2023 and that the county issued a $5,000,000 revenue anticipation note last year to manage cash needs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6067769,"Treasurer seeks vendor option for delinquent personal‑property collections; company says service at no upfront county cost",391,1259000,1650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3111270-4b6261351a8ba77cbac865cb92678165&start=1259&end=1650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3111270-4b6261351a8ba77cbac865cb92678165/thumbnail_1259000.jpg","/articles/6067769/Charles-City-County/Virginia/Treasurer-seeks-vendor-option-for-delinquent-personalproperty-collections-company-says-service-at-no-upfront-county-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067769-46a1d552a938647c795d4c29f48efab4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195370&Signature=eU6QoMnLrm9VTK7CoEFPw5NZehOImgBA8zUMkdEhZZy1hfxlNzCrdH~TdTda7m7jXcBs5yjuQ8MnrhLsPWwygyTAQ-p9dDDSz~Tk4Yv48P~rqdrYzF8TiJIySJHcC1uFRBtM28kbzIkeGITPLm4-8lTgWDjsmaQclVV7dUH99Q7vvzB0ZRQ5VGLcC95r66vukdAjv9uS2Yo92bHafCdjVCv5oSfvsPYYB-WhCAik812KKtp~GSnafHNO5mPckZdZvFKSNbuLIP82akeHwTgN23jcBTEmWnPyYgamp8PgDwWde-XUnf0pGkqcwqzto~nWBnw-abJ84CtpUpvrJLbd7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board received a presentation from a private firm offering to assist the Treasurer's office with collection of delinquent personal property taxes.

Jeffrey Scharf introduced the firm as representing \"taxing authority consulting services,\" and Andrew Neville described the company's operations. Neville said the firm works only for government clients and collects only government receivables, using letters, phone calls and payment-plan outreach. He said the company can pursue administrative tools available to the treasurer, including liens and general district-court processes, and remit collections weekly.

Neville said the company proposed a change to the county's administrative-fee ordinance to allow an add-on fee on delinquent accounts; the firm would collect its fee only when it collects money for the county. \"So the add-on fee...would only be collected if we collect money for the county,\" Neville said. He added the approach would allow the firm to provide services at no cost to Charles City County unless collections were successful.

County next steps

County staff said the Treasurer requested the presentation and that the board would consider advertising an ordinance to allow an add-on fee for delinquent accounts. No formal ordinance was introduced or adopted at the meeting; the board was notified that advertising language would be brought forward for consideration.","The county heard a proposal from a private collections firm offering to collect delinquent personal property taxes on contingency; the firm said it would add fees only to delinquent accounts and would not charge the county unless collections are made.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6067774,"Citizens advisory committee outlines vision, lot-size and density options in Charles City comprehensive plan update",608,577000,1185000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3111270-4b6261351a8ba77cbac865cb92678165&start=577&end=1185","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3111270-4b6261351a8ba77cbac865cb92678165/thumbnail_577000.jpg","/articles/6067774/Charles-City-County/Virginia/Citizens-advisory-committee-outlines-vision-lot-size-and-density-options-in-Charles-City-comprehensive-plan-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067774-8baa045f530ed48a0cfc2f40a55cf124/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195370&Signature=DgiXuCRPud~L3edheMIr2E9ybQ-9zcY1M4BzXcMDuBPT4JV0HJMVd~3QWsPuh~NwTiHx4KXfwnPmj9nh~~SGT1xtEMx3VNwAOmDCvTW3ixZbJ-GDfBRV8uK9qysb8dzp0CBRoT4IlincbmAwVMPo3f42b7fOYhTyQElIGvQSZv9aQSaTqA-QQl~P6W3xMIMcZHvdckk3RZicrjkcg8DfCHt6apeMvahhsUShonYWNE6UaWj~1pSrgIwAF6TvYK0x2i8~aYWmf1oKCpqTkYbcm-qlVkckaNRsQw89ESAhLn9tHys3IBgvUkgAllEeCCACR8CPUTPoJ2O6xncgxcsHEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gary Mitchell of Charles City County Community Development updated the Board of Supervisors on work by the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to update the county's comprehensive plan, which had not been revised since 2014.

Mitchell said the update began with a Citizens Planning Academy and regular CAC meetings. He read the committee's draft vision statement: \"Our vision is to preserve and protect our county's historic natural and cultural resources while promoting responsible growth, striving to be a model plan community where preservation and sustainable development foster a vibrant, healthy and inclusive future.\" Mitchell said a mission statement and more detailed goals followed.

Survey and CAC findings

Mitchell summarized an online public survey (conducted Sept'Dec) with about a 20% response rate. Key survey points he reported:
- Respondents skewed older, with about 40% aged 65+ and roughly 30% aged 55'264. Nearly 70% reported no children in the household.
- Top development preferences included more restaurants, small retail, medical and dental offices, and mixed-use projects.
- On housing, respondents favored single-family homes on 1'5 acre lots and age-restricted or assisted-living options.

CAC recommendations and definitions

The CAC used a dot-voting exercise to rank priorities and proposed policy clarifications intended to reduce ambiguity in the existing plan and ordinance. Items Mitchell described included:
- Requiring paved roads for minor subdivisions (with family subdivisions exempt by state law).
- Proposals to set minimum lot sizes north of Route 5 at 25 acres and south of Route 5 at 5 acres for future subdivisions (family subdivisions exempt).
- Clear definitions for density categories (rural, low, moderate, high) with proposed minimum and average lot sizes and thresholds for central water and sewer.

Timing

Mitchell said he expected a draft comprehensive plan to be available for the board by late May or early June, and that CAC meets twice monthly on the first and third Tuesdays.

Ending

The board had no substantive policy votes at the meeting on the comprehensive plan; Mitchell said the next steps are continued CAC meetings, technical support from PlanRVA and Crater PDC, and drafting the plan for board review.","County Community Development staff reported progress on a long-overdue comprehensive plan update, summarizing survey results and Citizens Advisory Committee recommendations on density, lot sizes and development priorities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge supervisors to reject Diode data center rezoning; county shares VEDP impact estimates

Davenport tells Charles City supervisors fund balance has fallen sharply; residents press for forensic audit

Treasurer seeks vendor option for delinquent personal‑property collections; company says service at no upfront county cost

Citizens advisory committee outlines vision, lot-size and density options in Charles City comprehensive plan update