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.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

How is our community doing? What does the data tell us about health, education, housing, and economic security? 

Join us for Our Community, Our Wellbeing: Understanding the Data on October 30, 6-8 pm in Lane Auditorium at the Albemarle County Office Building. 

We’ll hear highlights from three major reports: 

• Community Wellbeing Profile 
• Orange Dot Report 
• MAPP2Health Report 

Presentations will be followed by Q&A. Free and open to the public! 

Can't attend in person? Register to watch the event via Zoom.

Veterans Day Ceremony: Happening Tuesday, November 11, in Lane Auditorium

Veterans Day Ceremony: We invite community members to attend the Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11, at 11 am in Lane Auditorium at the Albemarle County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA.

Hosted by the American Legion, Post 74, the ceremony will celebrate Veterans Day, recognize those who served, and provide resources to support veterans. Be sure to add this event to your calendar, and we hope to see you there as we honor veterans.

Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) is hosting the 8th Annual Great Pumpkin Smash composting event at McIntire Recycling Center (located at 611 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902) on November 5-10, 2025, from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm. 

Participants can “smash” their pumpkins by dropping them into a large composting container. The recycling container will be accessible through self-service. Pumpkin composting is free of charge and open to residents of the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Go green and compost your pumpkin! For more information, please visit their website.

Current Job Openings: Join the Albemarle County Team

Interested in a rewarding career serving the community? We offer a variety of career opportunities that support and enhance the quality of life in Albemarle County for our residents. View all the current job openings and apply today!



Announcements

Albemarle County Office of Housing (ACOH): Housing Choice Voucher Waitlist is Opening Soon

The Albemarle County Office of Housing will open the Scottsville School Apartments and Hickory Hope Housing Choice Voucher waitlists from Friday, November 7, at 10 am through Friday, November 14, at 4 pm. Each waitlist has 100 spots available to eligible individuals. Applications will be accepted online only through ACOH’s housing portal.

Need help applying for the waitlist? The Albemarle County Office of Housing will host a walk-in assistance session on Monday, November 10, from 10 am to 4 pm at 401 McIntire Road, Room 241, Charlottesville, VA 22902. No appointment needed—staff will be available to help you submit your application and answer questions.



Learn more and prepare to apply: albemarle.org/waitlist.

Albemarle County Parks and Recreation (ACPR)

Reminder: Apply for Real Estate Tax Relief by October 31, 2025

Albemarle County is pleased to offer real estate tax relief for certain elderly and permanently disabled persons.  As a reminder, the deadline for first-time applicants is Friday, October 31, 2025. You may qualify if:

• You were the owner of record as of January 1, 2025
• As of December 31, 2024, you were either (a) at least 65 years of age and/or (b) certified as totally and permanently disabled and
• Your combined total income (from all sources) for 2024 was no more than $97,650 and
• The combined total net worth of you and your spouse did not exceed $312,000 as of December 31, 2024

You can apply here, and if you have any questions or would like assistance completing your certification form or your application, contact Albemarle County's Finance and Budget Department:

• By email: AlbemarleCountyFinance@albemarle.org
• By phone: (434) 296-5852 or call 711 for the hearing and/or speech impaired, Monday to Friday 8 am – 5 pm

2025 Second-Half Property Taxes: Due December 5 

2025 Second-Half Property taxes will be mailed in the coming weeks. Did you know you can pay your taxes with the County’s user-friendly Automated Tax Payment Kiosk? The 24/7 kiosk is located on the side of the County’s McIntire Road building facing Preston Avenue and features many new improvements. Watch this video 📽️▶️ to learn more about the automated tax payment kiosk and additional details on all the payment options available at the kiosk. 

Other payment methods available are online, by phone, or by drop-off in County drop boxes. There is no fee for payments by electronic check, which can be used online or by phone. Here's more information on ways to pay: 

• Pay online. Visit www.albemarlecountytaxes.org to pay using a credit card, electronic check, or PayPal. 
• Pay by mail. Instructions for payments by check are attached to your bill. If you choose to pay by mail, please be aware that there may be unexpected delivery delays from the post office. Tax payments postmarked by December 5, 2025, will be considered on time. 
• Pay by phone. Call 1-866-820-5450 to pay using a credit card. 
• Self-service kiosk. Pay at the County Office Building at 401 McIntire Road using the 24/7 automated payment kiosk using check, cash, or card. 
• Drop off. Use the drop boxes located in the parking lot at either the County Office Buildings (401 McIntire Road or 1600 5th Street Extended). Do not pay by cash in the drop boxes. 
• Pay in person. Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm, at the County Office Building at 401 McIntire Road. 

A 2.5% convenience fee applies to credit card payments and 2.35% to debit card payments, with a minimum of $1.95, when paying online or by phone. A 2.5% convenience fee applies to credit/debit card payments made at the automated kiosk. 

To avoid incurring a late payment penalty, payments must be made by December 5, 2025. 

Learn more about tax rates, due dates, and late penalties. Still have questions? Email AlbemarleCountyFinance@albemarle.org. 



Veterans Day Ceremony and Upcoming Office Closures

Our offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

Veterans Day Ceremony: While local government offices will be closed, we invite community members to attend the Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11, at 11 am in Lane Auditorium at the Albemarle County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA. Hosted by the American Legion, Post 74, the ceremony will celebrate Veterans Day, recognize those who served, and provide resources to support veterans. Add this event to your calendar.

County offices will also be closing at noon on Wednesday, November 26, through Friday, November 28, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Public safety departments will operate as usual. 





People & Project Spotlights

Parks and Recreation Director Bob Crickenberger Announces Retirement

After 51 years of dedicated service, Parks and Recreation Department Director Bob Crickenberger will be retiring at the end of 2025.

Bob began his journey with Albemarle County as a park groundskeeper and worked his way up to Director. Over five decades, he helped grow our parks system to over 6,500 acres, added 95+ miles of trails, and expanded recreation programs to serve over 30,000 participants annually, and so much more.

His leadership has shaped our community spaces, strengthened partnerships, and left a lasting legacy for generations to enjoy.

Thank you, Bob, for your vision, commitment, and passion for parks, people, and willingness to serve our community. Your impact will be felt for years to come. Learn more on our County News page.

Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR): Chief Dan Eggleston Retirement

This month, Albemarle County Fire Chief Dan Eggleston was celebrated for his 23 years of service to Albemarle County Fire Rescue and our community. Chief Eggleston’s leadership, vision, and unwavering dedication have shaped ACFR into the department it is today —a department built on integrity, teamwork, and a commitment to protecting others. 

Thank you, Chief Eggleston, for your remarkable career and the legacy you leave behind. We also wish you the very best in your well-earned retirement! Read more on our County News page.

Albemarle County Receives VACo Achievement Award

Albemarle County was presented with a Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) 2025 Achievement Award for the launch of the Pharmacy Project, an entirely in-house Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Virginia Board of Pharmacy-compliant system that enhances control, security, and accountability over the medications used by paramedics in the field. VACo Achievement Awards recognize excellence in local government programs across the Commonwealth.

The Pharmacy Project was launched in response to federal and state regulations that prevented hospitals from continuing to supply medications to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers. The County built a secure, centralized pharmacy model that ensures full control, traceability, and accountability over emergency medications. Completed in just nine months, the project united multiple County departments to design a system that enhances safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance while maintaining uninterrupted emergency care.

Beyond compliance, the initiative strengthens community health by guaranteeing reliable access to life-saving medications, reducing legal and operational risks, and providing a scalable model for other EMS agencies across Virginia.

Albemarle County was one of 57 recipients recognized in the 2025 Achievement Awards out of 155 submissions. Pictured with the award are some of the key staff members from the Pharmacy Project team.



In Case You Missed It

Ways to Vote: November 2025 General Election

You have three different options to cast your vote in the 2025 November General Election. You can vote by mail, early in person, or at your polling place on Election Day. Early in-person voting runs through Saturday, November 1. Any voter registered in Albemarle County may vote early in person at Conference Room A in the County Office Building on 5th Street. 

Check your voter status here. 

For those eligible, Same-Day Registration is available to cast a provisional ballot until November 4. For more details on eligibility for Same-Day Registration, please contact the Elections Office.

Voters can opt to cast their ballot by mail for the upcoming November General Election. The application deadline for voting by mail ballot was October 24. You can mail your ballot to the Voter Registration Office at the County Office Building or drop it in the drop box at the front entrance to the building. Use the pre-addressed envelope included with your mail-in ballot.

Click here to learn more about how to vote in the upcoming election and all your options for casting your vote. Still have election-related questions? Contact the Office of Elections via email or call 434-972-4173. 

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Adopts Updated Comprehensive Plan (AC44)

After four years of community collaboration, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors has adopted AC44, Albemarle County’s updated Comprehensive Plan that will take effect on January 1, 2026.  

AC44 outlines Albemarle County’s long-range policy framework for managing growth and development through 2044. The plan continues the County’s longstanding Growth Management Policy by focusing public investment and development within designated Development Areas while maintaining the Rural Area for agriculture, forestry, and conservation. 

The plan updates land use categories and the Future Land Use Map to guide where housing, businesses, and industry should locate. It introduces Activity Centers and Employment Centers to encourage walkable, mixed-use areas supported by transportation options and access to jobs, and also includes Community Design Guidelines that emphasize quality design, connectivity, and access to parks and open space. 

AC44 builds on existing County plans, including the Strategic Plan, the Climate Action Plan, Housing Albemarle, and the Economic Development Strategic Plan.

To view the plan, please visit the AC44 Phase 4 Website.

As this part of the project closes and we head into implementation, we ask that you help evaluate AC44's public engagement efforts. Please take a moment to complete the Community Participation in AC44 Survey and let us know how we did and what we can improve in the future. Read our County News to learn more.

Economic Development Updates

AstraZeneca to Invest $4.5 Billion in Albemarle County

This month, Governor Glenn Youngkin, Albemarle County, and AstraZeneca announced a $4.5 billion investment to develop a new biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Albemarle County, creating approximately 600 high-quality jobs. The facility will support the enhanced manufacturing capability of a broad range of medicines, including cancer treatments.

The project will be located on Albemarle County’s Rivanna Futures site in the northern portion of the county. The facilities will include manufacturing, office, and warehouse space and are expected to create highly skilled jobs, including engineers, scientists, and process facilitators. Albemarle County partnered with the Commonwealth of Virginia, including the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, GO Virginia, and the Virginia Department of Transportation, to prepare the Rivanna Futures site. The site previously received a $9.7 million grant from the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program, administered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. This matching grant program supports infrastructure improvements in partnership with localities, utilities, and state agencies to ensure sites across the Commonwealth are ready for employers seeking to grow or locate in Virginia.

This transformative project is a cornerstone of the County’s long-term vision for innovation-driven growth and positions Rivanna Futures as Central Virginia’s premier destination for advanced manufacturing. Read more about this announcement and learn more on our website.

Afton Scientific Celebrates Continued Investment and Expansion of Its Biopharmaceutical Facility in Albemarle County 

In September, Afton Scientific marked a significant milestone at its official groundbreaking ceremony for its new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Albemarle County. Governor Glenn Youngkin, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, Albemarle County Executive Jeff Richardson, and Jim Andrews, Chair of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, joined the celebration. Building on the company's 2024 expansion announcement, the ceremony reflected months of coordinated effort and the close collaboration between Albemarle County’s Community Development Department and Afton Scientific’s development team that helped move the project from announcement to action.

This expansion underscores Afton Scientific’s continued growth and commitment to serving clients, creating opportunities for the local community, and strengthening Central Virginia’s role as a hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing. By adding manufacturing capacity and new jobs, the project will deepen Central Virginia’s biotech and life sciences ecosystem and reinforce Albemarle County’s standing in the industry. 

Afton Scientific is a local biopharmaceutical manufacturing company that makes injectable medicines, and their investment is over $200 million and is projected to create 200+ new jobs.

Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD) Event Recaps

Halloween Safety Trunk-or-Treat Events at Claudius Crozet Park and Darden Towe Park

This month, in partnership with the Albemarle County Police Foundation, ACPD held Halloween Safety Trunk-or-Treat Events at Claudius Crozet Park and Darden Towe Park. These events provided information related to pedestrian safety awareness alongside plenty of trunk-or-treat activities with Albemarle County public safety partners. Over 1,600 people attended the events, and you can view images here.

ACPD NeighborLink Program

October is recognized as Crime Prevention Month, and there’s no better time to get involved in building a safer community. The Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD) has launched NeighborLink, a free and voluntary camera registry program that helps strengthen community partnerships and enhance public safety.



By registering your exterior security cameras, you’re simply letting ACPD know you’re open to being contacted if detectives are investigating a crime in your area. Participation does not give ACPD direct access to your cameras or footage—you remain in full control at all times.

Take just a few minutes to sign up and be part of this community-driven approach to crime prevention. 👉 Learn more and register today: albemarle.org/police

Prescription Drug Take Back Day

The Albemarle County Police Department, in partnership with Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, Wegmans, Crozet Family Medicine, Sentara Forest Lakes Family Medicine, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), had four drop-off locations available for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this month.

Drug Take Back events are considered the best option to safely discard any expired and unnecessary prescription drugs before they can be misused, abused, or accidentally ingested. Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold. Meanwhile, flushing prescription drugs can harm aquatic life and humans, as many of these compounds can wind up in drinking water.

Thank you to everyone who turned out for Drug Take Back Day! Thanks to your efforts and our partners at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and Wegmans, we collected 722.5 pounds of prescription meds, bringing our 2025 total to over 1,200 pounds safely disposed of. Every pill returned helps keep our community safer—thank you for making a difference! 

⚠️👉 Did you know: Outside of National Prescription Drug Take Back Days, community members can utilize a permanent drop-off box for pills and patches at the Sentara Martha Jefferson Outpatient Pharmacy, available Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. For more details, call the Outpatient Pharmacy at

434-654-3350. You can also visit the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's website to find other year-round drug take back locations.

Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR) Event Recap and Reminder

This month was Fire Prevention Week, where this year's theme focused on smoke alarm safety and education. It was filled with interactive activities, scavenger hunts, engaging demonstrations, and plenty of opportunities to learn how to keep homes fire-safe. Thanks to the community, our staff, and community partners who participated and supported these events. 

ACFR Reminder to Get Connected: Sign up for Community Connect

Albemarle County Fire Rescue is excited to launch 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.

Sign up today and start building your household profile at ACFireRescue.org.

Community Updates Resource Webpage: Federal Shutdown Impacts on Albemarle County Services

Albemarle County understands how important assistance and benefits are for many families in our community. While we do not control the timing of federal benefit funding, we are committed to sharing information and resources with our residents. We want to share the most current information we have available, along with related partner community resources. As new updates come in, we will post them at albemarle.org/CommunityUpdates.

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