Diggs elected chair, Allen named vice chair; board approves 2025 calendar and dozens of appointments

Supervisor Christopher Diggs was elected chair of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 7, 2025, after the board rejected an initial nomination and then approved Diggs in a 4-3 vote. The board also elected Supervisor Tanisha Allen as vice chair, 5-2, approved the 2025 meeting calendar unanimously and confirmed appointments to multiple county and regional boards and commissions.

The board opened nominations for chair under the board bylaws, section 2.1. Supervisor Vinouch was the first nominee; that nomination failed 4-3. A subsequent vote elected Supervisor Diggs 4-3, and Diggs took the chair and then called for nominations for vice chair. Supervisor Allen was elected vice chair 5-2.

The board approved Resolution R25-01, the calendar of regular meetings for 2025, by a unanimous 7-0 vote. As part of that approval, the board moved its regular meeting in October to Oct. 8, 2025, with no change to the 5:00 p.m. start time so members could attend National Night Out activities.

Members also voted to add three items to the agenda before approving it: an appointment to the planning commission (the Acquia seat), an update to board appointments to include the county Emergency Operations Center (EOC) liaison, and a resolution to ratify and terminate a declaration of emergency enacted over the weekend; those added items were placed in the add-on materials.

The meeting included a sequence of appointments to advisory boards, regional commissions and other committees. Most appointments were confirmed by a 6-1 vote; the Planning Commissioner Acquia seat (Keisha Evans) passed 6-1 after one supervisor said the reason for a no vote was that the candidate did not live in the district. The board also confirmed members for FAMPO, PRTC/VRE designations, regional commissions and local advisory boards. The board approved the consent agenda including the added items unanimously.

The board authorized a closed session under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Va. Code

) to consider specific appointees; the motion to enter closed session and the later certification upon return were both unanimous.

Votes at a glance

- Nomination of Supervisor Vinouch for chair: failed, 4-3 - Election of Supervisor Diggs as chair: approved, 4-3 - Election of Supervisor Tanisha Allen as vice chair: approved, 5-2 - Resolution R25-01 (2025 Board calendar, including Oct. 8 change): approved, 7-0 - Motion to add three items to the agenda (planning commissioner application for Acquia seat, revised board appointments including EOC liaison, and a resolution ratifying/terminating an emergency declaration): approved (vote to approve regular agenda 7-0) - Planning Commissioner, Acquia seat (Keisha Evans): approved, 6-1 (one no vote stated due to candidate residency) - Consent agenda including add-on items: approved, 7-0 - Closed session authorization under Va. Code and certification upon return: approved, unanimous

Why it matters

Board leadership sets committee memberships and meeting priorities for the year; votes to confirm appointments determine Stafford County relationships with regional bodies that carry planning, transportation, workforce and public-safety responsibilities. The calendar change ensures supervisors can attend National Night Out activities that draw constituents.

What happens next

Appointments take effect according to the rules of the respective boards and regional bodies; the board directed staff to place the added items into the record and will carry out follow-up administrative steps.

Ending

The board adjourned after completing appointments and certifying its closed session compliance.