VBPD Police Graduation Speech

WELCOME

Good evening. Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, training faculty, proud family members, and most importantly, our distinguished graduates: thank you all for being here tonight. I especially want to thank Captain Steven Djunaedi, Mayor Bobby Dyer, Sheriff Holcomb, Dr. Scott Miller, and City Manager Patrick Duhaney for being part of tonight’s ceremony.

Congratulations Class 76!

Today is a day of celebration, a day to honor the dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment of the individuals seated before us. As Police Chief, it is my profound privilege to welcome you to this momentous occasion, the graduation of our newest police academy recruits.

Class 76 brings diversity of ethnicity, background, life experience, and military status that reflects the community you will serve:

• 14 of your class are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, with six currently serving.

• Two have pervious law enforcement service, including Recruit Mike Jackson, who is returning to VBPD after 20 years as an HIS Agent. Welcome back!

• Three recruits have served as former fire/EMS volunteers.

• Two recruits are currently enrolled in college, ten are college graduates, and two have master’s degrees or higher.

• Our two VBSO Deputies are earning their DCJS LEO Certification.

• One recruit is a graduate of Harvard University and the Julliard School of Music!

• Two recruits were both born outside the United States!

I’m very pleased to see you women in this class, moving the bar closer to our 30x30 initiative. You all have my commitment that we are working diligently to make sure that your experience here is inclusive and welcoming.

The VBPD is steadfast in its commitment to strengthen police relationships and cultivate trust in our community, which is why we enjoy the support of City leadership and the Virginia Beach community.

Speaking of relationships, I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to acknowledge our keynote speaker this evening: Captain Steven Djunaedi, Commander of Naval Air Station Oceana, and observe the relationship we enjoy with the master jet base. In Virginia Beach, the relationship between the police force and armed forces is a beacon of unity and cooperation, woven deeply into the fabric of our community. With shared values of service, duty, and dedication, these two pillars of protection work seamlessly together, embodying the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect. Whether safeguarding our shores, ensuring law and order on our streets, or responding to emergencies with unwavering resolve, our police and armed forces stand shoulder to shoulder, united in their commitment to keeping our great nation safe. Their bond is not merely forged in duty but strengthened through camaraderie, forged in the crucible of shared experiences and shared goals. It's this unbreakable alliance that not only defends our country but also inspires trust, confidence, and pride in every resident fortunate enough to call this City home.

And while I’m talking about relationships and partnerships, I must talk about the collaboration between sheriff deputies and police officers. In the history of our two organizations, Class 76 is groundbreaking, as it is the first time in our partnership that we’ve had sheriff’s deputies go through the academy along with police recruits. That is a testament to the power of teamwork and our shared commitment to public safety. Our partnership goes beyond mere cooperation; it embodies a deep mutual respect and understanding, cultivated through joint training, shared experiences, and a shared dedication to serving and protecting our community. Together, we form an unstoppable force, instilling confidence and security in the hearts of those we serve, and setting a shining example of effective collaboration for communities everywhere.

I am confident that each of you will help advance this mission of strengthening relationships and cultivating trust in our community so long as you remain true to your character, don’t deviate from your personal and moral ethics, and keep your servant’s heart at the forefront of all your interactions. As long as you rely on your training, remain professional, and ensure your integrity drives all of your decisions, you can rest assured that Department and City leadership will always have your back.

Graduates, you have embarked on a journey that few have the courage to undertake. You have chosen a path that demands integrity, resilience, and an unyielding sense of duty. Today, you stand ready to join the ranks of a noble profession, one that holds the safety and well-being of our community in its hands.

The training you have undergone has been rigorous and challenging, designed to prepare you for the complexities and realities of law enforcement. I know the last six months have not been easy. Since January 11 you have undergone over 100 courses of instruction, covering thousands of DCJS and VBPD objectives. The police academy is demanding. Preparing for a career in law enforcement is, by design, not for the faint of heart. Look around you. What began as a class of 33 is now 25. That is a testament to your perseverance and determination, and precisely what we are celebrating tonight. You have faced physical, mental, and emotional tests that have pushed you to your limits. Through every obstacle, you have demonstrated courage, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to serve and protect. No one can take this accomplishment away from you. You have my hearty congratulations and sincere admiration for making it through.

On that note, I want to thank each of your families for supporting you. As you’ve already experienced, this is a unique profession that impacts your spouses, children and, for some of you, even your parents, far more than the average job. I have no doubt that your loved ones have all sacrificed in some way to get you to this day. Families and loved ones, your encouragement and sacrifices have been instrumental in helping these remarkable individuals reach this point. I want every family member to know that we see you. We are grateful for how you’ve supported your officer through the 76th Virginia Beach Police Department academy. Today, we share in your pride and joy, knowing that your loved ones are ready to make a profound difference in our world.

However, Class 76, you should know – this is not the end of your training, but the beginning. We have equipped you with the foundational knowledge to be successful in this profession, but every day that you don your badge, you will continue to be faced with new lessons. I encourage you to keep an open mind as you embark on this next chapter of your career.

A graduation ceremony like this presents an opportunity to offer up some advice, so I hope you will indulge me as I share a little

You have chosen a fulfilling and rewarding career. This is a job you can be proud of. It’s about service to others. One of the most gratifying facets of being a police officer is the unique chance to help people on their worst days. You will have the opportunity to save lives and change lives for the better. Additionally, there is only one constant in being a cop: every day will be different and interesting. You will never be bored.

As you have probably learned, when you joined the academy, you joined a family. There is a strong kinship developed within the police community that can’t be found in any other profession. The bonds forged through the academy will continue to strengthen and grow as you navigate your careers through the Virginia Beach Police Department. The quality of the relationships that you cultivate and nurture are crucial to your success. Let those relationships bolster you in good times and challenging times. As you embark on this journey beyond the academy and out into the streets, know that you are not alone. You are part of a larger family, a brotherhood and sisterhood that stands beside you, ready to support you through every challenge and celebrate with you in every triumph. Lean on each other, learn from each other, and never lose sight of the reasons why you chose this path.

To that end, as you sit here this evening contemplating this remarkable accomplishment, I urge you to consider what drove you to pursue a career in law enforcement. Was it a passion to serve? A desire to be a part of something greater than yourself?

Whatever your reason, I implore you to reflect on that today and everyday hereafter. You will deal with a lot of difficult situations. To avoid becoming jaded and cynical, and to keep a firm grasp on your humanity, I urge you to reflect on your why every day. Let it be your north star, guiding you though this profession.

As you step into your roles as police officers, remember that the badge you wear is a symbol of trust. It represents the confidence that the community places in you to uphold the law with fairness, compassion, and integrity. Your actions will be a reflection not only of yourselves but of the values and principles of the entire police force

In a world that is constantly evolving, where new challenges arise each day, your role as peacekeepers becomes ever more critical. You will be called upon to make split-second decisions, to de-escalate conflicts, and to serve as beacons of hope and security. Your presence will bring comfort in times of distress, and your bravery will inspire those around you.

But remember, being a police officer is not just about enforcing laws; it is about building relationships and fostering trust within the communities you serve. It is about understanding the diverse fabric of our society and working together to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all. Your empathy, your ability to listen, and your willingness to engage with people from all walks of life will be just as important as your tactical skills.

Graduates, as you take the oath and receive your badges, remember the values that have brought you here: professionalism, respect, integrity, dedication, excellence. Carry these values with you in every action, every decision, and every interaction. The road ahead will not always be easy, but it will be filled with opportunities to make a positive impact, to be a force for good, and to uphold the highest standards of this honorable profession.

My hope for you is that the values of this profession and the integrity of the officers you work with is SO unmatched that you can picture nothing more fulfilling than serving as a Virginia Beach police officer through a long and celebrated career.

Finally, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to you and your family on behalf of every resident and visitor to Virginia Beach. You are embarking on a career that involves risk and sacrifice, and which often does not get the appropriate acknowledgment. Thank you for courageously being willing to suit up every day to serve and protect your community. Because of you, our friends, families, and neighbors have peace of mind, knowing that the safety of our community is in your capable hands. On behalf of myself and your leadership team, please know that we value each of you. We appreciate the daily determination you’ve shown throughout this academy and the resolve and fortitude with which you’ll serve this community.

Class 76, you have earned this moment. Now, go forth with confidence, with pride, and with the knowledge that you are prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Serve with distinction, protect with valor, and always strive to make our community a better, safer place for all.

As you get ready to take your oath of office, it is an honor to officially welcome you and your families to the Virginia Beach Police Department. There is no finer calling, and I look forward to seeing you out on the streets protecting and serving this city. Thank you, and may you have a long, safe, and fulfilling career in law enforcement.

Congratulations Class 76.

End of Year Letter to Jaunt, Inc. Employees Written on Behalf of the CEO

Dear staff,

Today is the Winter Solstice, when we will experience our shortest day and longest night of the year. In a year marred by sickness, financial hardship, and tremendous uncertainty, this day of celestial darkness feels like a metaphor for 2020. However, even in this dark year, you have proven that there is something good to be found in every bad situation.

Watching each of you rise to the challenges presented over the past several months has been awe-inspiring. You adapted to the sudden need to work from your homes, transforming spare bedrooms and kitchen tables into home offices. You found silver linings in extra time spent with family and taking your home office into the great outdoors when the weather cooperated. You found new ways to reinforce your connections to one another with Zoom get-togethers, Mitel Connect chats, and through Slack and text messages. You remained productive and innovative when it would have been easy and understandable to feel helpless and ineffective. You rolled with leadership while we figured out how to keep buses on the road and drivers and passengers safe, implementing new cleaning protocols and greatly reduced capacity. Your dedication and commitment to Jaunt and those we serve humbles me.

While today may be the shortest day of the year, that also means that for the next several months there will be more minutes of daylight and fewer minute of darkness each day. And that feels like an equally valid metaphor for what lies ahead. With a vaccine on the way, and the knowledge that we have sustained Jaunt’s place as a persistent force of good in our community, I have every confidence that we will enter into the new year as an even stronger organization, forged in the fires of 2020.

As you turn your attention toward the final weeks of the year, I hope you will find peace and comfort in the knowledge that you are an integral part of an organization that provides an essential service to our community. I am so proud of and grateful for each of you, and I look forward to what we can accomplish together in the coming year.

With my sincerest appreciation and warmest holiday wishes to you and your loved ones,

Karen

Press Release: Jaunt, Inc. Encourages Central Virginians to Make a Plan to Vote

Jaunt may be the answer for people for whom transportation is an issue

Charlottesville, VA – Jaunt, Inc. is urging central Virginians to make a plan to vote. Election Day is approaching and early voting in Virginia has already started. Whether you’re voting early or casting your ballot on Election Day, Jaunt can help you get there – free!

Public transportation, particularly the demand-response service offered by Jaunt, is an effective option to help those who would otherwise not vote due to transportation issues. In the CIty of Charlottesville, and the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson, any and all people can book a ride with Jaunt’s standard demand-response service. And right now, Jaunt is fare-free!

As always, the health and safety of Jaunt’s passengers and drivers is our greatest concern. To protect our riders and drivers from the threat of COVID-19, we have limited the number of passengers permitted on a vehicle at any given time to allow for social distancing; all drivers are wearing CDC-approved face coverings; all passengers are required to wear face coverings while riding Jaunt; and every Jaunt vehicle is cleaned and disinfected daily following CDC protocols.

Jaunt is committed to making in-person voting available and safe for those who need it. To book a ride to the polls with Jaunt, call 434-297-2627 or email trips@ridejaunt.org. Don’t wait, reserve your ride to vote early today, or plan to reserve your ride for Election Day as early as October 20! Due to current reduced capacity on our buses to allow for social distancing, riders are encouraged to book at least a week before Election Day in order to help us maximize our schedules, respond to demand, and guarantee service.

Jaunt wants to make sure that everyone who wants to reach the polls, can. Make a plan! If transportation is an issue for you, Jaunt may be the answer to help you get to your polling location.

*****

Jaunt, Inc. is Central Virginia’s regional public transit system, connecting people to their community. Jaunt delivers convenient and reliable service with its demand response and commuter routes, all through the use of current technology and a customer-focused approach. Jaunt service area includes the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson counties.

Building Goodness Foundation Fall 2019 Appeal

Dear [first name],

Many people know Building Goodness Foundation for our work in Haiti and other developing countries, but our mission to build community and improve lives starts here in central Virginia. We’re involved in projects which boost health, support education, reduce inequality, and improve lives right here at home. Year after year, our skilled volunteers have answered the call, building and renovating, and benefiting nearly 8,500 local residents every year.

So far in 2019 we have worked with nine partners on 15 projects that have impacted hundreds of people locally. BGF projects have helped local nonprofits continue their missions to serve vulnerable children, families, women recovering from addiction, persons with physical disabilities, and those struggling with mental illness. This summer BGF volunteers installed a permanent shade structure at Piedmont YMCA Early Learning Center’s playground and painted classrooms there. Our work made it possible for the YMCA to meet state licensing standards, allowing it to continue to meet the need for affordable, quality early childhood education in our community.

This November Building Goodness Foundation will celebrate 20 years of service. Naturally, this is a time of both celebration and reflection. The past two decades of volunteer service, materials donated, and dollars given represent repaired homes for low-income homeowners, upgraded facilities for the homeless, and new spaces for at-risk youth to connect and learn. We celebrate opportunities created thanks to safe, strong, thoughtfully-designed buildings that increase well-being and help lift individuals and communities out of poverty.

As we look forward to the next 20 years, we ask you to join with us to expand our reach. Our donors give knowing that BGF chooses high impact projects right here at home and that their gift is multiplied by the volunteer work of our skilled professionals – together, our donors and our volunteers turn $1 donated into $3 of work.

Whether you swing a hammer or write a check, you’re a builder when you support Building Goodness Foundation. With your help, BGF will continue to build community and improve lives for our neighbors, whether they live down the street or across the ocean. We build because goodness matters. Give because goodness matters.

Sincerely,

Frank Grosch
Executive Director

Welcome Letter to CoConstuct Annual "Co-Con" Conference Written on Behalf of CEO

20 PERCENT OF YOUR INPUT YIELDS 80 PERCENT OF YOUR OUTPUT.

That’s the technical definition of the 80/20 rule.

If you know how to look for it, you’ll see it’s a rule of nature. It’s truly everywhere, big and small.

You may know it in your head, but are you really ruthlessly applying that to your days to know the next best thing you should do in your business?

If you have a mindset of growth, and are always ready to do better, in whatever way you define it, then you’re in the right place.

Over the next two days, be ready to push your thinking and question your assumptions, because...

SMALL HINGES SWING BIG DOORS

Welcome to CoCon ’18.

Congratulations on hitting pause on the “tyranny of the urgent” to focus on what really matters to you.

This year’s theme is “Small Hinges Swing Big Doors.” It’s all about the little moves you can make in your business – and with CoConstruct – that act as huge levers for your goals.

Over the next two days, we’re going to dive deep in order to help you identify the small, yet mighty, activities and tactics that really make a big difference in your business. And, we’re going to give you the tools you need to go back to your office and focus more on the things that yield the biggest results.

It doesn’t take much to move the needle – if you pick the right things.

And between sessions looking at the big picture, breakouts focused on the specifics of sales, operations, and finance, and time spent with the other top builders and remodelers from North America and beyond, we’re going to make sure you have ample opportunity.

But, be on the lookout.

When you’re looking for the 20% of things that will give you 80% of the results, it’s a 5 minute conversation here, a 30 minute presentation there, or a few sentences said in a roundtable group that will make all of the difference.

So, be alert, and be expectant, because there are big things that can come from what we learn and share over these next two days.

Thank you for joining the CoConstruct family of builders and remodelers at CoCon ‘18 this year. I look forward to this time with you as we build together.

Press Release: Community Celebrates New Pantops Public Safety Station 16

Charlottesville, VA – On Monday, May 7, at 3:00 p.m., Albemarle County government officials joined community stakeholders at the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Pantops Public Safety Station 16.

The ceremony took place at the new station on Peter Jefferson Parkway. The program included remarks by Norman Dill, Vice Chair of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors; Jeff Richardson, Albemarle County Executive; and Dan Eggleston, Albemarle County Fire Rescue Chief; among others. The remarks were followed by a “push-in” of a rescue vehicle and a ribbon cutting. The larger community was invited to participate in an open house from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. to tour the facility and visit with staff from the new station.

County Fire Rescue has identified the Pantops area as a priority for improved services as a result strong residential and commercial growth over the past several years. The Pantops area has a high volume of calls for service relative to population, largely driven by demographics – with over 600 dwelling units of progressive care, assisted living, and independent living, over a quarter of Pantops residents are over the age of 65. When calls for service originating from the Pantops area are received, crews from East Rivanna Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding departments respond. Due to long travel distance, and despite Pantops’ urban location, current response times to the Pantops area do not meet Fire Rescue’s urban response time goal of an average of five minutes.

To begin to address this, in 2013 Fire Rescue received funding from the Board of Supervisors for three EMS positions to staff an ambulance at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital during daytime hours. Pantops Public Safety Station will provide a permanent home for the existing daytime ambulance service at Pantops to better meet the needs of staff to respond to calls for service, and allow for future expansion of services.

“The Pantops Public Safety Station represents a demonstration of the Board's commitment to the fire rescue system and to the rescue service at Pantops, by providing a permanent home to the ambulance that had been previously operating out of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. On behalf of the Board of Supervisors and our neighbors in the Pantops area, I’d like to express our sincere gratitude to Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital for their many years of partnership.” said Norman Dill, Vice Chair of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors. “I’d also like to thank Anne Worrell and the Worrell Land and Development for donating the land for the project, which saved the County several million dollars in land acquisition costs.”

“The Pantops Public Safety Station will be a true amenity for the Pantops community,” said Dan Eggleston, Albemarle County Fire Rescue Chief. “The on-site provision of Emergency Medical Services offered at the new station will bring significant benefits to our residents and businesses and help improve response times in the Pantops area.”

The Pantops Public Safety Station is a 9,880 SF facility with three apparatus bays (two for fire engines or rescue vehicles and one for an ambulance or small rescue vehicle) and support facilities to accommodate 13 personnel, including office, training, equipment, and bunk space. The project was designed during 2016 with input from Fire Rescue personnel. Construction ran from March 2017 thru March 2018.

To ensure the project’s success, the Board of Supervisors directed the creation of a work group comprised of community representatives to develop the mission and vision for a station embedded in the community through intentional partnerships.

Land for the station was generously donated land by Worrell Land and Development.

Annual Budget Message Written on Behalf of the County Executive

Dear Honorable Members of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County:

I am pleased to present to you and the citizens of Albemarle County the Recommended Fiscal Year 2019 combined capital and operating budget totaling $428,500,374. This budget reflects the impacts of a strong local economy and the positive effects of strategic investments and diligent attention to our financial resources and choices. It is balanced with no proposed increases in tax rates and meets all of the County’s obligations and mandates. This budget responds to the uncertain economic outlook from the state, national, and international levels by demonstrating our continued commitment to fiscal stewardship and discipline while making important investments in strategic priorities.

Overview

Recommendations provide significant funding to our quality K-12 school system and emphasize our dedication to educational opportunities for the broader community. This budget also recommends the advancement of strategic priorities as identified in the FY 17 – 19 Strategic Plan while simultaneously upholding the levels of service our community expects. It recognizes the need and desire to take steps to transform into a more agile organization that is well positioned to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Our organizational capacity is still impacted today by significant reductions during the recession that resulted in the dramatic elimination of positions. As our revenues have improved over the years, new positions have been added primarily in public safety and health and welfare (police, fire rescue, and social services) but we have experienced a net decrease in positions in all other functional areas combined. This budget builds on the work of the current year’s adopted budget and continues to address capacity issues. It continues to support public safety and health and welfare, while simultaneously attempting to establish balance across the organization by adding resources to critical functions like economic development, project management, and finance, as well as resources for strategic and emerging needs such as revitalization and urbanization projects. Even so, in this recommended budget, per capita staffing remains at FY 09 levels.

A Commitment to Long-Range Planning

The Five-Year Financial Plan and balanced Two-Year Fiscal Plan processes have been valuable tools for taking a long-term look at the County’s revenue and expenditure picture, providing a helpful framework for decision making on major financial issues.

Long range financial planning in advance of this budget identified that the cumulative impacts of community and Board aspirations, growing citizen expectations, and service obligations created by population growth are outpacing available resources. The FY 18 budget acknowledged continued economic uncertainty at the state, national, and international levels by proposing responsible strategies that helped buffer the County from potential economic turbulence. It set a financial course for Albemarle County to advance strategic priorities, maximize transformation, sustain a quality organization, make strategic investments and, as always, meet our mandates and obligations. The themes from the FY 18 adopted budget are carried forward in the recommended FY 19 budget, concentrating on delivering tangible results in an evolving landscape.

The County Executive’s FY 19 recommended budget is the culmination of these strategic and financial planning processes. The decision framework for this budget was informed by the Board’s adopted FY 17 – 19 Strategic Plan and reflects our work in priority-driven budgeting. Additionally, recommendations from the Capital Improvement Program oversight committee are addressed in this budget. It also acknowledges our strong local economy and the strategic use of one-time money to advance priorities and avoid creating future obligations.

Guiding Framework

There are four goal areas that are the foundational pillars for the recommended FY 19 budget: education, sustaining a quality organization, advancing strategic priorities, and maximizing transformation and addressing emerging opportunities. Below is a breakdown of how these goal areas are supported in the recommended budget.

Education

The pursuit of education and learning is a cornerstone of our community and Albemarle County values and supports education in its many varied forms. This budget emphasizes our commitment to providing learning and training opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds and delivers significant support to our quality K-12 system.

In addition, this budget provides educational support to the broader community with recommended funding for partner agencies that support education and learning such as the Boys and Girls Club, United Way, Piedmont Virginia Community College, and our regional libraries. Albemarle County currently funds ten Bright Stars classrooms. This budget introduces one more classroom to increase the capacity for educational opportunities for at-risk four-year-olds. Our investments in public safety, economic development, project management, and the expansion of broadband to underserved areas of the County all indirectly support education and learning. This budget recognizes that, through cooperative partnership, we achieve common goals that benefit the entire community.

Sustaining a quality organization

This budget aims to continue to build on efforts made in FY 18 to sustain an efficient, adaptable organization. Enhanced funding dedicated to professional development and training underscores our focus on recruiting, training and retaining a skilled and experienced workforce. This budget fulfills the County’s current and upcoming financial commitments and continues to maintain program and service levels supported by the Board during the two-year fiscal plan process.

Strategic priorities

The Board worked through a comprehensive process to identify and rank strategic priorities, review the County's program and service inventory, and provide direction to shape the FY17 - 19 Strategic Plan. This budget places a high priority on the advancement of the quality of life initiatives identified in the FY 17 – 19 strategic plan which consists of eight goals and 22 objectives. FY 19 represents the second year of a two-year action plan and invests resources to continue to advance priorities that are moving from planning to implementation. Feedback received from the Board during a strategic plan work session and the two-year fiscal plan process in the fall provided guidance for this budget to align County resources with strategic priorities to the greatest extent possible. Funding is recommended to provide support for current and future economic development projects, and on infrastructure and amenities to revitalize our aging urban neighborhoods.

Maximizing transformation/address emerging opportunities

One constant for Albemarle County local government is our emphasis on working as one organization committed to excellence. Through this budget, we retain our united focus on innovation, transformation, and efficient use of County resources. It allocates resources to continue our momentum for implementation of transformational initiatives such as CIP process improvements and the Use of Technology needs assessment. This budget will amplify our efforts to position our organization to respond to emerging opportunities which are not captured and planned for in the FY 17 – 19 strategic plan, and will provide resources to enhance our ability to address community needs as they arise, such as the transition of BF Yancey Elementary from a public school into a community-oriented facility.

We are at a Crossroads

The best-designed budgeting process cannot make the hard choices disappear. Because of improving revenues, careful fiscal stewardship and strategic investments, this recommended budget continues to make positive progress. However, a theme that has carried forward over the last several years is the cumulative impacts of community and Board aspirations, growing citizen expectations, and service obligations created by population growth on available resources. Albemarle County’s population in FY 09 was 94,090. According to the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service Demographics Research Group, the County’s population estimate as of July 1, 2017 is 107,697. That represents an increase of 14.5% over the period. As our population has grown, it has become both more diverse and more mature. The issues facing our community are more complex today than they were 15 years ago. The delivery of existing services has evolved to meet the need of our changing community but we also must recognize that the types of services our community desires is experiencing a shift as well. The capacity of our capital program will continue to be challenged in the next few years.

We are committed to working collaboratively and creatively to position our organization to address the changing demographics of our community and to sustain and enhance the human, economic, cultural, educational, and natural characteristics of Albemarle County. Addressing these and other important issues will create major budget impacts in the future. This budget will begin important conversations about how to address some of these challenges as we continue to work together towards creating a more aspirational future for Albemarle County.

In Closing

Working together and united by our shared vision and mission for Albemarle County, we have achieved significant progress in the strategic directions that outline our priorities for the future. We continue to scrutinize and adjust work processes, examine programs and services, and use creative partnerships to achieve the community’s priorities as identified in the FY 17 – 19 Strategic Plan. As a result, we remain a vital and productive organization capable of providing core services, meeting critical needs, and responding to changing circumstances, all of which attempts to move the community’s most critical expectations and aspirations forward.

We have developed a budget that we believe best acknowledges our financial realities and critical service pressures and takes steps towards addressing the most pressing needs through thoughtful and strategic choices. Our partnership with citizens will be critical as we continue to transform our local government and to understand the evolving needs and expectations of residents and businesses. In the year ahead, we will focus on this continuing conversation with the Board of Supervisors to help us keep a strategic and intentional focus on future needs and how they should be accommodated in the County’s financial and operational planning with an eye toward progressing towards the future that our community desires and deserves.

Thank you for joining with your local government in a strong partnership that has created many outstanding success stories for our community and for recognizing that, as a community, we can achieve more when we work together.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeffrey B. Richardson
County Executive

Letter of Reflection Written on Behalf of the County Executive for The Annual Report

Welcome to the 2017 annual report. I appreciate this opportunity to reflect with you on the past year, one filled with both accomplishments and challenges in Albemarle. Our Board of Supervisors, community groups, residents, businesses and staff have all worked to create a unique community in which to live, thrive and play. Together, their contributed talents and expertise have achieved the significant milestones you will find throughout this report. Working together and united by our shared vision and mission for Albemarle County, we have achieved significant progress in the strategic directions that outline our priorities for the future.

Our School Division and community partners dedicated to providing learning and training opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds validate our reputation as a County that values and supports education in its many varied forms. The continued efforts of our public safety, human services, facilities and environmental services, and parks and recreation staff keep Albemarle a safe, healthy and desirable place to live, and together enhance our quality of life.

A strong focus on rural protection and preservation is reflected in initiatives like our Acquisition of Conservation Easements (ACE) program that helps honor our rural heritage and maintain our community’s character. Our urban places are also receiving significant attention as we work on infrastructure and amenities that help make these neighborhoods attractive and vibrant community centers.

One constant for Albemarle County local government is our emphasis on working as one organization committed to excellence. Even as we celebrate the achievements of 2017, we retain our strong focus on innovation, transformation, and efficient use of County resources. We continue to scrutinize and adjust work processes, examine programs and services, and use creative partnerships to achieve the community’s priorities as identified in the FY 17 – 19 Strategic Plan. As a result, Albemarle County government remains a vital and productive organization capable of meeting critical needs, delivering core services, and adapting to changing circumstances.

Because of the solid foundation established by our strategic focus and the positive direction we are experiencing in our local economy, I feel optimistic about our opportunity to make progress in building the County’s future over the coming year. I strongly encourage you to engage in our upcoming budget process, when community priorities will play a critical role in determining how available resources will support services – please see the budget calendar on page 20. I hope to see you actively involved this spring!

Thank you for joining with your local government in a strong partnership that has created many outstanding success stories for our community.

Joint Letter from Chiefs to Albemarle County Fire Rescue and Charlottesville Fire Department

Dear ACFR and CFD Family,

Yesterday was one of the most challenging, tumultuous, and volatile days our public safety community has ever experienced. We saw hatred and intolerance play out in horrific and repugnant ways. As public safety professionals, you were called to respond to human acts of hatred and violence beyond imagination. And, of course, we cannot neglect to acknowledge the tragic loss of life which resulted from the Virginia State Police helicopter crash to which many of you responded.

In spite of the challenges and horrors you encountered yesterday, you performed your duties with dignity, humility, and empathy. We honor you for your bravery, leadership, and professionalism in this especially difficult time. Time and again, when most are fleeing, you purposely walk into harm’s way to provide support in the midst of crisis. As your Fire Chiefs, we appreciate your commitment, yesterday and every day.

As we reflect on the events of the last 24 hours, and turn our focus to the coming weeks and months, please remember that you are a vital part of the community. The demonstrators and protestors who came here and incited violence do not reflect the values of this community and our fire department family. Your friends, colleagues, and neighbors know that they can rely on you to provide emergency support during their most difficult moments. Please stay focused on our mission. Please care for each other, your loved ones, and yourselves. You are resilient. You are brave. You are valued and you are respected.

Thank you for your dedication.

Chief Dan Eggleston, Albemarle County Fire Rescue
Chief Andrew Baxter, Charlottesville Fire Department