Stafford supervisors weigh school rebuilds, fire stations and road projects as budget tightens

Stafford County officials reviewed a draft 10-year capital improvement program and related budget decisions at a Board of Supervisors work session, focusing debate on when to rebuild Hartwood Elementary, where to site new schools, timing for a fire and rescue station in the Embry Mill area, and county transportation priorities.

Chief Financial Officer Andrea Light told the board the staff—s goal was to focus on projects that start in fiscal 2026. "What we'd really like to do is focus on those that start fiscal year 2026 with you to make sure that the board is comfortable moving forward with these projects," Light said.

The discussion highlighted trade-offs officials face as the county pays down existing and planned debt and weighs uncertain grant awards. Interim County Administrator Craig Meadows reminded the board of the county—s recently adopted fiscal 2025 budget and growth-driven pressures: "the adopted fiscal year 2025 county budget, totaling $1,080,225,355 including all county services," he said, and noted that roughly 62% of county operating funds are transferred to schools.

Nut graf: The board must balance near-term needs (school capacity, deteriorating school systems, and worn public-safety facilities) against long-term debt service and uncertain external funding. Several supervisors pressed staff for enrollment data and cost details as they considered whether to accelerate, delay or swap major projects that will affect debt issuance and future tax-years.

Schools and timing

A central dispute involved Hartwood Elementary, which the school division proposes to replace. Light said the CIP includes $3,000,000 programmed in fiscal 2026 "for design" so the county can deliver a new Hartwood in 2028. Staff said the replacement would be built on a site proffered by the Westlake developer rather than the existing school property.

Several supervisors questioned whether funds or scheduling should be shifted to other growth areas such as Embry Mill. "I'm not gonna vote on just one school," Supervisor Young said, arguing that the county captures savings by pursuing a four-build prototype and should build paired schools rather than single projects that lose prototype efficiencies.

Supervisor English pressed staff on accelerating Hartwood—s schedule. Light said bonds for projects would be issued in 2026 with debt service beginning in 2027, and that shortening the timeline to deliver the school in 2027 was not feasible given design and construction timelines.

Public safety and apparatus

Fire and rescue timing drew similar scrutiny. Staff said the proposed Embry Mill Fire Station (Station 15) responds to a service-area gap and projected call volumes of about 1,000—0,200 calls per year that are currently being handled by neighboring stations. Assistant Fire personnel described three concurrent station projects (Rock Hill consolidation, Aquia Harbor replacement and Embry Mill) intended to improve response reliability and update aging facilities.

Costs included estimates of roughly $15.5 million for Embry Mill, about $18.5 million for Rock Hill replacement, and about $26 million for Aquia Harbor, with contingencies and escalation included. Board members asked whether apparatus replacement would be purchased with cash or leases; staff said a mix of cash and master lease financing is planned and that lead times for heavy apparatus can be 24—36 months.

Transportation and federal grant risk

Board members reviewed several large transportation items, including long-term plans for Butler Road (estimated $90—00 million to widen) and corridor projects on Route 17. Staff warned that major state or federal grants affect the county—s ability to proceed. The county has a pending Federal Highway Administration PROTECT grant tied to a S-curve/road project; staff said the project design is about 60% complete and that if the grant does not materialize the county might need an additional $2— million to $4 million from local funds to proceed.

"If you remove funding and then don't get the PROTECT grant, the project is certainly at risk," staff told the board.

Parks, schools proffers and other capital items

Supervisors pressed staff on shifting one-time 3R (repair, replacement, rehabilitation) cash among projects. School-related items surfaced repeatedly: the Stafford High press box and concession renovation was estimated at about $2.0 million total with roughly $700,000 in school proffers; that yields a net county need near $1.3 million if the board chooses to accelerate it. Parks projects included Pratt Park paving and loop completion (listed at roughly $1.575 million in the CIP) and new turf fields (about $1.03 million). Staff noted turf fields generate tournament revenue and improve availability but asked the board whether to defer such one-time cash projects.

Courthouse and long-range projects

Staff reiterated that a full courthouse replacement remains a long-range capital project with an overall estimated program cost staff cited at approximately $209 million; debt service for that project would be a multi-year future commitment if the board moves forward.

Actions and next steps

The board did not adopt a new CIP at the work session; members asked staff for additional data and asked schools to return with enrollment and redistricting details in October. Staff recommended board members consider timing and grant risk before changing project sequencing.

A brief procedural vote during roll call was recorded earlier in the meeting: the board approved a motion to allow Vice Chair Allen to participate remotely; the motion passed by voice vote.

Ending: County staff will provide the board with further financial details, enrollment projections and alternate sequencing scenarios ahead of upcoming budget votes and another work session. The school division will return with its CIP schedule and enrollment analysis in October so the board can consider any reordering before debt is issued.