Welcome to another monthly edition of the Albemarle County Community Digest. Thank you for subscribing and being an engaged member of our community! Please share this email with any friends, family, and neighbors who might be interested in staying informed.

📽️🎞️ 2025 Year in Review

In our 2025 Year in Review, we highlight some of the work we’re proud to have performed in service to you, our community. Watch the video on YouTube.

If you haven’t already, stay informed with what’s happening in the County by subscribing to our e-newsletters, following us on social media, or visiting our website at Albemarle.org and our Engagement Hub at Engage.Albemarle.org.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

RESCHEDULED: Charlotte Y. Humphris Park Community Meeting



Join us for a Community Meeting + Design Workshop to: 

✅Hear a presentation on the project’s background, goals, and early design ideas.

✅ Explore open-house style stations to learn more about proposed features. 

✅Share your feedback to help guide design decisions.

This project will enhance one of Albemarle County’s most-loved neighborhood trail parks, at 200 Whitewood Road, by adding new features, including paved trail upgrades, play and gathering areas, restrooms, and more, while protecting the forest and stream environment that make the park special. 

Monday, January 12 from 6-8 pm 

Albemarle High School, Media Center, 2775 Hydraulic Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22901

This is part of a broader County effort to expand access to parks and trails in urban neighborhoods. Your input will help make sure the park reflects the needs of the surrounding community.  

Can't make the meeting? We will post the materials and feedback forms on the project website following the meeting.

Economic Development Office

Entrepreneurship Opportunities in the New Year - Community Investment Collaborative

Upcoming Entrepreneur Workshop – Register by January 2 - The Charlottesville Entrepreneur Workshop is the Community Investment Collaborative's (CIC) signature 16‑week, in‑person program designed to help aspiring and existing business owners determine the viability of their business, build a strong foundation, and develop a comprehensive plan for launching or growing their venture. Held weekly on Tuesday evenings, the workshop combines lectures, discussions, and hands‑on assignments that guide participants through essential topics such as market validation, personal and business finance, branding, marketing, and hiring.

Participants commit to attending all sessions, completing applied learning assignments, and conducting real‑world customer research. By graduation, entrepreneurs will have created key components of a business plan and strengthened their financial understanding. Tuition is $750, with need‑based scholarships and payment plans available. Graduates gain access to CIC’s broader support network, including microloan eligibility, financial coaching, mentoring, and ongoing networking opportunities. Register online: Charlottesville Entrepreneur Workshop - CIC

Social Entrepreneur Bootcamp  - Do you have an idea that could create real change in our community? The Community Investment Collaborative is launching a Social Entrepreneur Bootcamp—a hands‑on program designed to help under‑resourced and underrepresented leaders turn community‑driven ideas into action.

Over two interactive sessions, participants will:

• Clarify their social impact concept
• Explore pathways like nonprofit, social enterprise, or community project
• Build a 90‑day action plan
• Connect with local changemakers and resources
• Become eligible for microgrants up to $2,500

Thanks to support from the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, the program is free to participants. Applications open January 2026!

Show Local Love by Buying Locally – Buy Local this season and all year round to keep Albemarle County vibrant and thriving! By choosing to shop local, you’re supporting your neighbors and community by helping to sustain jobs, support unique shops and services, and strengthen the economy. Plus, you often get more personalized service and unique products you won’t find anywhere else.

Buying locally supports your neighbors and community! Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville’s Offices of Economic Development encourage you to Buy Local this holiday season and for any occasion. Local businesses are more likely to reinvest close to home, and their goods and services contribute to the unique character of our community. Buying local has a multiplier effect - each dollar spent puts more than 3 and a half times as much money back into our local economy as shopping at a chain store or national retailer and makes a huge difference in creating local jobs and local wealth.



Whether you’re searching for the perfect gift, grabbing a special treat, or dining with friends, your local shops and restaurants have everything you need. Show Local Love through the holidays and all year long by supporting the many small businesses that make our community great!

Small Business Resource Toolkit

The U.S. Department of the Treasury provides this guide, designed specifically for small businesses in Virginia, which contains resources that assist business owners with finding financing, attracting customers, and obtaining technical assistance. 

Current Job Openings: Join the Albemarle County Team

There are plenty of rewarding career opportunities to serve the community. View all the current job openings and apply today! You can learn more about current career opportunities and how to apply to join our team, which supports and enhances the quality of life for our residents in Albemarle County.



Announcements

Board of Supervisors: Legislative Priorities for 2026



In Virginia, a local governing body has only those powers expressly granted by the General Assembly. Each year, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors prepares its legislative priorities, a communication to our local representatives in the state legislature about areas where state action or delegation of authority to localities would improve our community. This month, the Board of Supervisors met to share its priorities for 2026:

• Enable localities to enforce the Virginia Landlord-Tenant Act
• Expand authority to use photo speed monitoring devices
• Enable a referendum on a local option one-cent sales tax for school division capital projects 

Board of Supervisors: Oath of Office Ceremony



New and returning members of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors were sworn in this month during the Oath of Office ceremony. Supervisor Ned Gallaway will begin his third four-year term representing the Rio District, while Supervisor-Elect Sally Duncan (Jack Jouett District) and Supervisor-Elect Fred Missel (Samuel Miller District) will each begin their first terms. This month also marked the conclusion of service for Chair Jim Andrews of the Samuel Miller District and Vice-Chair Diantha McKeel of the Jack Jouett District, whose final Board meeting was held on December 10.

Pictured from left to right: Supervisor-Elect Sally Duncan, Supervisor Ned Gallaway, Supervisor-Elect Fred Missel, and Albemarle County Circuit Court Clerk Jon Zug.

Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Winter Weather and Preparedness



Be Storm Ready! We are officially in our region’s winter weather season. Now is a great time to take stock of your household’s preparedness for snow, ice, and power outages. We never know when that winter storm may arrive, so be ready! Prepare a checklist of things to do when you hear that a winter storm is possible. Here are some tips for building an emergency kit.

Share with your neighbors! Check in with your friends, family, and neighbors in the days leading up to a winter storm to see how you can help anyone who may need assistance preparing. Share this email or the flyer below with your networks to ensure everyone has the tips and best practices they need to stay safe during winter storms.

Stay safe, Albemarle! Here are additional ways to prepare ahead of a disaster, from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM). 

Upcoming Office Closures

Albemarle County offices will be closed on Thursday, January 1, in observance of the New Year's holiday. Offices will reopen on Friday, January 2, 2026, on a regular schedule. 



Our offices will also be closed Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, on a regular schedule.

Public safety departments will operate as usual during all closures. 

People & Project Spotlights

Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR): Fire Rescue Station 2025 Decoration Contest Winner

Several local fire rescue stations ignited a friendly competition this holiday season, and you played a crucial role in voting for your favorite decorations! You cast over 800 votes and helped us decide which station deserved the coveted title of the best-decorated station in our community.

The fire station that received the most votes and has been awarded well-deserved bragging rights for the year is the North Garden Volunteer Fire Company.

Thank you to everyone who voted in the contest! ACFR looks forward to continuing this tradition.

Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD)

Albemarle County Police Department Achieves State Accreditation

We’re proud to share that the Albemarle County Police Department has been officially accredited by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC).



This accreditation reflects a year-long effort to modernize policies, overhaul our Evidence and Property Unit, and meet 193 professional standards focused on accountability and high-quality public safety services.



Thank you to our team and community for supporting this work. ACPD's next reaccreditation inspection will occur in 2029.

ACPD and Police Foundation 2025 Honorees

The Albemarle County Police Department and Foundation honored several officers and community partners for their contributions to the organization. The 2025 honorees were:

• Officer of the Year – Officer Ryan Sheridan and K-9 Dembe
• Civilian of the Year – Maria Guerra-Gomez
• Detective of the Year – Detective Scott Godfrey
• One Organization Committed to Excellence Award (external) – Jim Ladd
• One Organization Committed to Excellence Award (internal) – Officer Dana Robinson
• Steve Sellers Leadership Award – Sergeant James Potter
• Professionalism Award – Sergeant Jonathan Hickory
• L.F. Wood Community Service Award – Officer David Sprouse
• Chief's Eagle Awards - Officer Jamie Kwiecinski, Detective Dylan Leitch, and Detective Marcus Baggett
• Community Relations Award - Lorna Hilliard

ACPD: Newly Sworn-In Officers

ACPD proudly welcomed three new officers to the department during a swearing-in and pinning ceremony. The new officers recently graduated from the Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Academy, where they passed the requirements for law enforcement certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the first step to beginning service with ACPD. We are so grateful for their service to Albemarle County. Welcome to David Allio, Zachary Campuzano, and Jacob Sherill.

We are looking for our next class of new officers to join the Albemarle County Police Department. To be considered for the July 2026 academy, submit your application now! For more information and to apply, visit Albemarle.org/BeACPD. 

In Case You Missed It

Recap: General District Courts Celebration and Site Tour

Earlier this month, Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville celebrated a milestone in the Courts Renovation & Expansion Project with a General District Courts Celebration and Site Tour, marking the completion of Phase One of the new General District Courthouse at Court Square. 

This $65 million investment modernizes and expands judicial facilities by renovating the historic Levy Opera House and constructing a new, fully accessible courthouse to provide a safe, secure, and modern court experience.

One of the most powerful achievements of this project has been its ability to unite staff across the judicial system, county departments, and city teams. From judges and clerks to sheriff’s deputies, IT specialists, architects, contractors, engineers, planners, and construction crews—this has been a truly integrated effort. 

Achieved through strong collaboration among Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville, and judicial partners, Phase One represents a significant step forward in serving the community with dignity and respect, while Phase Two now moves ahead with renovations to the historic Circuit Court, scheduled for completion in 2027. We want to thank and recognize our community partners and residents for staying engaged, offering feedback, and supporting this work throughout construction. We appreciate your support and continued partnership. Learn more about the project.

Recap: Cybersecurity Community Update

As previously shared, Albemarle County was the victim of a cybercrime in June. Earlier this month, we provided a final update on the incident here. As best practice and in coordination with our insurance provider, an extensive forensic investigation was launched to determine the scope of the breach. That investigation is now complete. Due to the volume and complexity of the data involved, the investigation took several months to complete.

Out of an abundance of caution, Albemarle County is offering complimentary identity monitoring services at no cost for 12 months. If you wish to take advantage of the free identity monitoring services, please contact Kroll directly at (866) 819-9798. The deadline to register is March 17, 2026.

We value the trust that our community places in us. Please know that we take the protection of your information seriously and are committed to transparency and continued communication. For more information on steps you can take right now to protect your personal information and other resources, visit Albemarle.org/CybersecurityIncident.

Albemarle County Fire Rescue: Santa Run 2025

Albemarle County Fire Rescue teamed up with Santa Claus to spread some holiday cheer. Vehicles played festive music while Santa waved from atop the fire truck while cruising through multiple neighborhoods across Albemarle County on four different days.

ACFR Reminder to Get Connected: Sign up for Community Connect

Albemarle County Fire Rescue has launched Community Connect, a free and secure platform designed to help first responders arrive fully prepared when every second counts.

By creating a household profile, you can share important information that could make a difference in an emergency, such as details about family members with medical conditions or mobility needs, where your pets are typically located, and information about utility shutoffs, entrances, and other key features of your home.

Your information stays private and protected. It is only accessible to verified first responders and only during an emergency. With this knowledge, responders have the full picture before they even arrive, helping them protect what matters most.

If you haven't already, please sign up and start building your household profile at ACFireRescue.org.

ACPD: Toy Lift and Santa Patrol 2025

The Albemarle County Police Department had the privilege of spreading holiday cheer at Toy Lift Charlottesville this year. ACPD donated hundreds of new toys and built more than 480 bicycles. These gifts were distributed to children in need this holiday season. ACPD also escorted Santa, his elves, and the Grinch throughout Albemarle County to hand out gifts, goodies, and holiday cheer to multiple neighborhoods and communities.

Albemarle County Boards and Commissions Vacancies

Have you considered serving your community by participating on a Board, Committee, or Commission? The County has openings within various boards and committees, and we encourage your participation. 

We also encourage you to Get Engaged by learning about the boards and commissions, viewing the current vacancies, and applying to serve.

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