Lancaster Planning Commission forwards FY26–30 capital improvement plan with two timing changes

The Lancaster County Planning Commission voted March 2025 to forward the county's proposed FY2026–2030 capital improvement budget to the Board of Supervisors, approving two timetable changes for major projects.

The commission recommended moving the $180,000 jail flat-roof replacement into fiscal year 2026 and postponing a combined sheriff's office and emergency medical services (EMS) building, budgeted at $13,136,848, to fiscal year 2027. The commission acted on a motion to forward the package with those two changes and the motion passed by voice vote.

Don Gill, a county staff member who presented the budget, told commissioners that state law requires the planning commission to prepare and forward an annual capital improvement budget and that the Board of Supervisors' adopted budget calendar required a recommendation at this meeting so the county could meet an April advertising deadline. "The code of Virginia requires the planning commission to, update and prepare an annual capital improvement budget, to forward to the Board of Supervisors to include in their, annual budget process," Gill said.

Commissioners and departmental representatives described the projects included in the five-year summary and emphasized the immediate focus on FY2026 requests. Among the items discussed were: - A $180,000 estimate to remove two existing roof layers and install new membrane and tapered insulation on the jail building, an item that commissioners moved into FY2026 so work could begin sooner. - A $13,136,848 multi-year planned project for a shared sheriff's office and EMS facility; staff and presenters described this as a multi-step project that the county expects to design and phase, and the commission voted to move that project into FY2027. - School capital costs tied to an ongoing new-school financing plan; Gill said part of the school project financing had already been approved and part awaits bond sale timing recommended by the county's financial adviser, Davenport Public Finance. - Public access site development and a nearly $10 million subtotal that includes completion of an emergency communications radio system (about $5 million), expansion of a convenience-site transfer station, and engineering work for Chesapeake Trail park improvements.

Several departmental presenters described specific equipment or facility needs. Lancaster County Sheriff's Office/EMS staff requested shifting the roof replacement forward and outlined plans for a larger combined facility intended to add administrative and dispatch space, training areas and storage; the sheriff's office indicated space constraints and safety concerns at the current 1978-era facility. EMS representatives requested replacement cardiac monitors, a mechanical CPR device and a replacement ambulance; the total estimated cost for those EMS items was presented as $234,119.5, with procurement through cooperative purchasing contracts (Sourcewell) and trade-ins planned for older units.

Lancaster County Public Schools staff asked for school-bus replacements (two buses) and continued budgeted matching funds for a school security grant if the system receives state grant awards. Public schools staff explained the state-recommended 15-year replacement cycle and noted rising vehicle miles and special-education trip requirements that increase mileage on smaller transport vehicles.

Other requests included county administration building revitalization, spot coolers to provide temporary building cooling during air-conditioner outages, social-services building HVAC replacement and drainage repairs, and various maintenance and vehicle-replacement items for county departments. Social Services Director Claudia Henderson told commissioners one of the existing HVAC units dated to 1987 and that the building frequently experiences pooled water around exterior doors, which staff said can harm the building slab.

Commission discussion focused on scheduling priorities given the board's budget calendar and the canceled February meeting that compressed planning commission review into a single session. Commissioners asked about design and financing timing for the sheriff/EMS facility, about guarantees and warranties for roofing contractors, and about potential grant or contract funding for EMS equipment.

The motion forwarded the proposed five-year plan with the two timing adjustments to the Board of Supervisors for final action. The planning commission chair called for the aye votes and announced the motion carried.