Molly S. Barnett

Key discussions and actions during this meeting included the reorganization of the Board for 2026, electing Leila C. Longcor as Chair and Matt J. Dale as Vice-Chair. The Board adopted the regular meeting schedule for 2026 and approved the Chair's Committee Appointments for the year. Several departmental matters were addressed: approval was given to award a $460,000 contract to Littleton & Associates for the Three Springs Water Plant third well development project, authorization was granted to hire an additional Landfill Truck Driver, and staff was authorized to draft an ordinance amendment to change the zoning classification for a "Large Solar Energy Facility" in the Industrial Zoning District (I-1). Additionally, the Board approved an update to the Drug and Alcohol Testing Program to include utility and landfill workers, and appointed Matt J. Dale to the Rockingham Recreation Foundation Board to fill an unexpired term. An amendment to the Economic Development Policy regarding investment tiers for rebates was approved, as were revisions to the County's Design-Build Procedures, effective January 14, 2026. The Board also accepted and ordered the Abstract of Votes from the November 4, 2025, General Election to be spread into the minutes.

The meeting included a presentation on Landfill Gas, followed by committee reports and appointments, including to the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board. Public hearings addressed a rezoning request (REZ25-0185) involving converting approximately 44 acres from Agricultural to Planned Neighborhood zoning for a mixed-use development, and three ordinance amendments (OA26-0033, OA26-0034, OA26-0073) related to solar projects and setback requirements. Unfinished business was scheduled for follow-up. Separately, a Work Session addressed Community Grant Program Applications for various local projects. Key actions during the regular session included adopting a resolution declaring intent to reimburse expenses related to the McGaheysville Elementary School project, recognizing the retirement of Pam Simmons, declaring certain service weapons as surplus, and addressing the rescheduling of a future meeting date. The Board also heard reports and approved a resolution supporting an Industrial Access Railroad Track Funds application for Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative. Financial actions included approving a supplemental appropriation for recovery services through the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and approving carryforward appropriations for property cleanup and funding a new full-time employee for the Short-Term Rental Ordinance administration. The Director of Finance secured approval for a contract amendment regarding rock removal at Innovation Village Pad Site 2 and declared a Ford F800 surplus. Appointments were made to the Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals, and a resolution was adopted declaring a local emergency due to the January 2026 Winter Storm. Public hearings addressed several Special Use Permits (SUP25-1671, SUP25-1768) and rezoning requests (REZ25-1293, REZ25-1749), denying requests for a U-Haul rental service (SUP25-1718) and a large solar energy facility (SUP25-1532), while approving others, including bringing an existing motor vehicle repair shop into compliance (SUP25-1689).

This Capital Improvement Program serves as a five-year plan to guide the construction or acquisition of capital projects for Rockingham County. It identifies needed projects, estimates costs, prioritizes implementation, and determines funding methods across key areas including transportation, education, public safety, facilities, landfill management, and utilities.

The Board of Supervisors meeting agenda included a community work session with a presentation regarding Landfill Gas. Key items for action included the approval of minutes from previous meetings, reports from the County Administrator, County Attorney, Deputy County Administrators, and various Directors, as well as committee reports and appointments. Public hearings were scheduled for a rezoning request (REZ25-0185) concerning approximately 44 acres from A-2 to R-5 for a planned neighborhood development, and ordinance amendments (OA26-0033, OA26-0034, OA26-0073) related to solar projects commencement timelines, large solar energy facility standards, and agricultural use setback requirements. The board also addressed unfinished business and heard reports during the regular session, including the adoption of a resolution of intent to reimburse for McGaheysville Elementary School expenses, recognition for a retiring Director, awarding service weapons, and endorsing a resolution supporting the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative application for Industrial Access Railroad Track Funds. The board denied a motion to reappoint a member to the Economic Development Authority and approved supplemental appropriations and carryforward appropriations related to behavioral health services and the Short-Term Rental Ordinance implementation. Furthermore, the board denied a Special Use Permit for a large solar energy facility (SUP25-1532) based on consistency with the Comprehensive Plan, while approving others. The board also established procedures for public hearings and addressed future meeting rescheduling.

The key discussion topics for the Planning Commission meeting included a public hearing on three staff-generated ordinance amendments (OA26-0033, OA26-0034, and OA26-0073). These amendments address state code compliance for solar/energy storage project commencement timelines, supplemental standards for large solar energy facilities, and setback requirements for agricultural uses near urban growth areas. The agenda also covered ongoing business, specifically liaison reports from the City Planning Commission, and a staff report overview that included the 2025 Annual Report.