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Orange County Board of Supervisors elects Nickel chair, adopts bylaws and appointments for 2026
Summary
At its January 2026 organizational meeting, the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously elected Brian Nickel chair and Ed Van Hoven vice chair, approved a 2026 meeting schedule, adopted amended bylaws referencing Robert's Rules of Order, and confirmed clerk and liaison appointments.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors elected Brian Nickel chair and Ed Van Hoven vice chair at its organizational meeting in January 2026, approved a regular meeting schedule for the year, adopted amended bylaws that incorporate recommended language about Robert's Rules of Order, and confirmed administrative and liaison appointments by unanimous votes.
The board opened nominations for chair and elected Brian Nickel by roll-call vote, announced as unanimous. After the vote, Nickel thanked his colleagues, saying he was "honored by this nomination and vote" and that "we have an outstanding board" that will serve the county and its "approximate 40,000" residents. The full board then nominated and elected Ed Van Hoven as vice chair, also by a unanimous vote.
The board approved a resolution establishing the 2026 meeting schedule. Under the adopted schedule the board will generally meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, except in November, when the board will meet once on a Wednesday at the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse, and in December when meetings are moved to the first and third Tuesdays.
During an annual review the board adopted updated bylaws that include language recommended by the county attorney: "In addition to these rules and procedures, board meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order. However, failure to strictly follow Robert's Rules shall not invalidate any action taken by the board." The board voted to adopt the bylaws with that added language by a unanimous voice vote.
The board also approved a slate of administrative appointments. The board adopted a resolution to appoint Glenda Paul as clerk of the board and Latoya Smith as chief deputy clerk for 2026. Members then proceeded through nominations and confirmations for board liaisons and commission assignments: Mark Johnson was nominated to serve as the board historian/advisor; supervisors were assigned to the Orange County Broadband Authority, Economic Development Authority, school-liaison roles, the Lake of the Woods board liaison, tourism advisory committee, water subcommittee, Rappahannock regional bodies and other local authorities. All of these assignments were approved by the board in a single motion and recorded as passing unanimously.
Chair Nickel noted the presence of members of the public and explained the organizational meeting traditionally does not include a public comment period; he encouraged residents to attend other advertised meetings that include public comment. The board moved to adjourn and the meeting concluded.
Actions recorded at the meeting included the elections of chair and vice chair, adoption of the 2026 meeting schedule, adoption of the amended bylaws, appointment of clerk and deputy clerk, and confirmation of multiple liaison and external-board assignments. Most votes were recorded as unanimous (5-0).
