James City County Board elects McLennan as chair, adopts organizational rules and amends code of ethics
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Summary
At its 2026 organizational meeting the James City County Board of Supervisors elected Supervisor McLennan chair and Supervisor Luke Larson vice chair, adopted organizational rules, approved a slate of appointments to regional boards and commissions, and amended the county’s model code of ethics to state that violations may constitute malfeasance in office.
Supervisor McLennan was elected chair of the James City County Board of Supervisors for 2026 after a nomination from the floor and a roll-call vote in which members responded 'Aye.' Supervisor Luke Larson was nominated and elected vice chair by roll call.
The board moved to adopt its organizational rules (the resolution was included in the meeting packet) and approved the rules by roll-call vote. The chair called for seating arrangements for the coming year and members selected seats in an on‑the‑record process.
The board voted to enter a closed session to consider appointments to regional boards and commissions pursuant to "section 2.23711 a 1 of the Code of Virginia." After returning from closed session a member moved to certify that only the business announced was discussed; the board certified compliance on a subsequent roll call.
Following the closed session the board approved a slate of appointments for 2026. The motion named, among other assignments, Supervisor Eisenhower and Supervisor McLennan as alternates for various regional bodies; Supervisor Larson as school liaison; Supervisor Wainwright for Virginia Peninsula Jail Authority and other liaisons; and Supervisor Null for economic development and workforce council roles. The board called the roll and approved the appointment slate.
County counsel (identified in the meeting as Mister Kinsman) proposed an amendment to the county’s model "code of excellence"/code of ethics to add a signature-line acknowledgement that a violation of the code, "as determined by the board," would constitute malfeasance in office and could result in sanctions or removal. Kinsman said Virginia law is not precise on a definition of malfeasance and recommended spelling the consequence out on the signature form. In his words: "I hereby acknowledge and agree that a violation of the code of ethics and or model of excellence ... constitutes malfeasance in office and may result in sanctions and or removal from the position to which I was appointed." The board moved to adopt the resolution as amended and, on roll-call, the motion carried.
A housekeeping item about rotating MBG radio spots was discussed; a board member offered to prepare the spots and circulate them for review. Members discussed retreat scheduling and settled on preference for an afternoon session on either February 12 or 13, pending outside-speaker availability. With no further business, the board adjourned.
