Board approves termination of neighborhood facility lease with Metropolitan Investment Trust LLC; residents question tax forgiveness and transparency

Charles City County's Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a settlement agreement ending the ground lease with Metropolitan Investment Trust LLC (MIT) for the county'owned neighborhood facility building and reclaiming the property.

County Administrator Rogers told the board the lessee had disputed prior tax assessments and that the negotiated settlement terminates the lease while allowing the county to retain ownership of the building. Rogers said the improvements made by the leaseholder exceed the disputed taxes'about $200,000 in improvements versus roughly $70,000 in disputed taxes'and that the county would be able to reclaim the facility without further action.

Citizens at the meeting raised repeated concerns about transparency and the apparent waiver of taxes. Wanda Roberts said attendees could not find clickable links to the settlement packet on the county website and urged staff to make the text easier to access. Alice Stark, who said she lacks reliable internet, asked the county to provide printed copies so residents without service can review materials.

Doreen Billingsley and others framed the vote within broader fiscal anxiety. Billingsley, citing the first-month cash figures, warned that current spending rates could drive a multimillion-dollar overrun and called for clearer reporting on line items and a plan to repay a $5 million loan. Robert Tyler argued the county had previously made poor land deals, alleged inadequate public notice for land sales and said conflicts of interest should be investigated; Tyler urged the board to avoid another 'friends-and-family' payout.

Board members asked staff for documentation that supports the settlement figures. Rogers said the tax assessments were billed in the past, were disputed by MIT and that the settlement reflected an agreement that avoided further litigation while restoring the property to the county. He cautioned that the county-owned property is itself tax-exempt, and that the leasehold tax questions arise from how an exempt property's leasehold interest is calculated.

Michael Hill moved to approve the settlement agreement terminating the ground lease between Charles City County and Metropolitan Investment Trust LLC; the motion carried with all members voting aye.

Votes at a glance - Motion to adopt agenda: moved by Ryan Patterson; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approval of minutes (07/22/2025): moved by Ryan Patterson; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Consent agenda (includes DBHDS performance contract): moved by Ryan Patterson; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Resolution to terminate ground lease and settle taxes with Metropolitan Investment Trust LLC: moved by Michael Hill; outcome: approved (unanimous). - SUP 03-2025 (Power Up Short Term Rental): moved by Ryan Patterson; outcome: approved (unanimous).

The board did not schedule additional action on the lease settlement; staff said the settlement terms had been negotiated with MIT and that terminating the lease will allow the county to regain the property. Rogers also said staff will provide quarterly financial reporting and additional documentation on the transaction upon request.