Chesterfield Council forms sales‑tax commission and orders bed study to explore funding a new detention center

The Chesterfield County Council approved a resolution to create a capital project sales‑tax commission that will develop the exact ballot question for voters on whether to fund a new county detention center via a penny sales tax. Council members said the commission will include three council appointees and additional members assigned by statutory population‑index rules.

County staff told council that the commission’s task is to draft the ballot language and study funding options; Mr. Bryant described the commission’s role as developing the question that will be presented to voters. Council approved the resolution by voice vote and then, under standing committee business, approved moving forward with a professional bed study to determine how many detention beds the county should build.

Councilmember Ford framed the bed‑study need by noting current local jail figures: "We got 95 beds and 146 inmates," he said, explaining the study will inform appropriate sizing to avoid under‑ or overbuilding. The council asked that the sheriff’s office be engaged in the bed‑study process because jail staff see day‑to‑day operational counts and needs.

Staff noted logistical deadlines tied to placing a ballot question before the state election commission (the transcript references an Aug. 15 deadline to submit a ballot question). The council approved the commission appointments from its prior 2024 slate and noted additional commission seats will be assigned according to law.

What happens next: the commission will be populated, staff will work to meet the election timetable if a referendum is pursued, and the county will hire a professional firm to conduct the bed study and report back to council.