July 2022 Community Digest

Community Digest

July 2022

There has been a lot of news to share this month and summer is here! Check out our digest newsletter that combines a few shorter topics into one message.

Invasive Alert: We need your help!

An invasive insect called the Spotted Lanternfly has been discovered in Albemarle County along the Rivanna River. The Spotted Lanternfly is an agricultural pest that attacks over 70 species of trees and is a significant threat to vineyards and orchards.

Visit www.albemarle.org/lanternfly to learn more.

2022 Digital Counties Survey Top 10 Award Recipient

We are honored to be recognized as a 2022 Digital Counties Survey winner by the Center for Digital Government, part of Government Technology News!

Center for Digital Government's 2022 Digital Counties Survey honors counties with innovative use of emerging technologies; enhanced cybersecurity; and strengthened digital equity initiatives. Read more about the survey and its initiatives.

Recap of Fourth of July Weekend Public Safety Calls for Service

Albemarle County Police Department and Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR) work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to ensure the safety of those in Albemarle County. During the recent Fourth of July holiday weekend, these two public safety departments received a total of 996 calls for service. Requests for help varied from complaints about fireworks to vehicle crashes to medical conditions to fire alarms and were responded to by career personnel, volunteers, and sometimes both.

One stat that stands out - there were ZERO fatal crashes over the fourth of July holiday weekend.

Our entire organization is thankful to the individuals of these departments and their outstanding commitment to the well-being of the people of Albemarle County. Read more detail about the calls for service and learn more ACFR info.

Upcoming: Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR) Is Hiring Starting August 1

We are looking for passionate team players from all backgrounds and experiences to join the ACFR family. Selected recruits will participate in a paid recruit school to learn the essential skills and knowledge to ensure success with our department.

Apply between August 1 – September 1 to be considered for the next recruit school. Those with a passion to serve Albemarle County are encouraged to apply.

Visit WorkForACFR.com for more details.

New Podcast Episode: Let's Talk About the Comprehensive Plan

This is a great introduction to understanding what the Comprehensive Plan is, how it's developed, and what it’s used for. We’ll also get some insight into the project team’s role in the process and some of the challenges associated with such a big (comprehensive!) community project.

Listen Now

Help Expand Broadband Access in the County by Testing Your Internet Speed

To successfully apply for broadband expansion grant funding, the Albemarle County Broadband Authority and Albemarle County Public Schools ask for the help of the community in reporting current internet speeds to demonstrate need. Reporting your internet speed will take five minutes or less.

The Albemarle County Broadband Authority uses the internet speed data to identify areas of little to no broadband and to encourage internet service providers to partner during grant applications for federal and state broadband funding. Please answer each question in as much detail as possible so that we can report as much accurate data as possible. Your effort can make a difference!

Report Your Internet Speed

Fiscal Year 2023 Adopted Budget

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Adopted Budget is available online for review.

If you haven't already, check out the Albemarle County budget visualization tool that allows users to get an even better idea of where your Property Tax and Fee dollars go. Try the Albemarle County budget visualization tool.

Check Out our Summer Safety Tips

Summer is here and our community's health and safety is our top priority.

Here are some tips on how to be ready, safe, and healthy this summer and more helpful information on summer heat safety.

Summer Swim Season Updates & We're Still Hiring Lifeguards and More

Chris Greene Lake is currently closed due to a harmful algae bloom and people and dogs are prohibited from swimming in the lake until further notice.

In response to the swimming beach closure at Chris Greene Lake, we will shift lifeguards to Mint Springs Thursday, July 28 through Sunday, July 31, open 11 am - 7 pm. Walnut Creek remains open as well from 11 am - 7 pm, Thursday, July 28 - Sunday, July 31.

Fees are $3 for adults, $2 for children (ages 4-12), and free for swimmers under 4 and over 62, cash or check only.

Still looking for a summer job? We’re still hiring Lifeguards, Beach Managers, and more! View openings and apply today.

Upcoming: Registration for Fall Middle School Sports is August 24

Fall Registration for Basketball, Tennis, and Cross Country will open August 24. The link for registration will be available soon.

Our middle school sports program is held at all five Albemarle County middle schools and homeschoolers are welcome as well. This popular after-school program is a partnership between Albemarle County Public Schools and Parks & Recreation. Learn about registration costs, school locations and more for the fall.

Upcoming: Join Us for National Night Out, August 2

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD) is proud to participate in this annual event to strengthen the ties between our officers and the community we serve. On Tuesday, August 2, 2022, come celebrate with our department on the greenspace in The Shops at Stonefield, 2100 Hydraulic Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22901. Some event activities will include: Emergency Vehicle Touch-A-Truck, ACPD K-9 Demonstration, Fingerprinting for Kids and more! Learn More About National Night Out Day.

2022 Early Childhood Care & Ed Career Fair

Upcoming: Early Childhood Care and Education Career Fair is August 13

The Albemarle County area is experiencing a shortage of childcare opportunities. Join us for a career fair featuring opportunities for meaningful conversations with area organizations on how to begin a career or start a business in the early childhood education and childcare industry.

Discuss resources to start a business with:

Albemarle County Social Services and Community Development

Departments

Explore employment opportunities with:

On-the-spot interviews will be available. Bilingual individuals are encouraged to apply! It's happening Saturday, August 13, from 9 am - 12 pm at the Albemarle County Office Building at 1600 5th Street. Visit our website to read more and mark your calendars for this upcoming event.

Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) Survey

TJPDC is requesting more feedback via a Transit Visioning Concepts Survey that you can use to share your thoughts on transit vision alternatives. Your feedback is valuable to this project - take the short survey.

The Regional Transit Vision for the Charlottesville Area is a collaborative effort to evaluate transit service in Charlottesville and the surrounding region and to establish a clear long-term vision for efficient, equitable, and effective transit service in the region. The Regional Transit Vision will guide investments in transit for the next 10-20 years. Your answers will help guide the priorities for better transit in the region.

Take the Survey

AC44: The Comprehensive Plan Update

We are in the midst of Phase 1 of the AC44 Update, which is focused on Planning for Growth. All community members are invited to participate! Please take advantage of these tools to get started:

Visit the Introduction to AC44 webpage to learn about the background of the project, why we have a Comprehensive Plan, and what the Plan is used for in day-to-day life.
Visit the Planning for Growth webpage to learn the background of the Growth Management Policy (a component of the Comp Plan) and review the initial ideas about ways we might update the Policy.
Sign up here to receive email updates and participation opportunities. Select the "Albemarle 2044 - Comprehensive Plan Update" box and any other topics you are interested in.

Learn about more upcoming events and keep up with the latest happenings in the county by visiting www.albemarle.org

Have You Visited Our Online Engagement Center?

We are looking forward to providing you with a variety of robust tools designed to enable you to share your expertise, ideas, and feedback with us on a regular basis.

Please visit the site and register to access current and future projects.

We have a new podcast! The Let’s Talk Albemarle podcast seeks to foster community participation through the exploration of important topics in Albemarle County. Listen free on Apple Podcast, iHeart, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, or our website.

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