Orange County supervisors approve appointments, fee changes and a rezoning in unanimous votes

The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a package of personnel, fee and land‑use measures in a single meeting, voting unanimously on each item.

The board confirmed five appointments to the Board of Equalization — Catherine Merritt, Michael (Mike) Willis, John Licata, Bobby Pace and Nancy Richardson — and noted two alternates remain to be named. Speaker 3 moved approval of the resolution appointing the five members; the motion passed on roll call.

Deputy County Administrator Linda Paul presented an ordinance to amend Article 8 (land preservation assessment) of the Orange County Code to remove the land‑use application fee and revalidation fees and add a $100 late filing fee. Paul said the change "would just simplify the administration of that program," and that the revenue reduction was estimated at about $3,400 and had been built into the FY26 budget. Speaker 3 moved approval; the ordinance passed on roll call.

Michelle Meiksel, director of development services, described changes to the FY26 fee schedule required after a recent DEQ audit. Meiksel proposed two lower "minor E&S" review categories: $400 for single‑family attached dwellings (duplexes/townhouses) and $300 for single‑family detached lots when an agreement‑in‑lieu cannot be used, replacing the standard $500 review fee. Meiksel said these changes were intended to reduce costs for small builders and homeowners. Sean Miller, director of government affairs for the Fredericksburg Area Builders Association, said, "I'd like to express our support for this reduction in fees," and thanked staff and the board. The board approved the fee amendments unanimously.

Planner Kira Davis presented rezoning application REZ2025‑00371 for 9.35 acres at 7092 Rapidan Road in Rapidan (Tax Map 16‑14A). Applicants Carrie Holliday and John Bensco sought to rezone the parcel from Limited Residential (R‑1) to Agricultural (A‑1) so they could rebuild a barn that had previously burned. Davis noted the parcel lies within the Rapidan Historic District and that the Planning Commission recommended approval 5‑0. Carrie Holliday addressed the board and provided local history about the property known as Red Rock. The board approved the rezoning by roll call vote.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - Board of Equalization appointments (resolution): approved unanimously (roll call recorded). - Ordinance amending land preservation assessment fees (Chapter 58, section referenced in packet): approved 4‑0 on roll call (recorded as "Passes 4 0"). - FY26 tax and fee schedule — minor erosion & sedimentation (E&S) review fees: approved unanimously on roll call. - Rezoning REZ2025‑00371 (7092 Rapidan Road): approved 4‑0 on roll call.

The board also nominated Barbara Drinkwater to the Social Services Advisory Board and Monica Garrett to the Tourism Advisory Board; both nominations were approved by voice vote. The meeting ended after a certified closed session and a motion to adjourn.