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

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

Albemarle County Police and our public safety partners invite you to two fun-filled evenings of Halloween safety awareness and community celebration!

📍 Claudius Crozet Park – Thursday, October 29, 4–7 pm

📍 Darden Towe Park – Friday, October 30, 4–7 pm

These free events include trunk-or-treating, safety resources, and activities for kids of all ages. Costumes are encouraged—we’ll bring the treats! Learn more: www.albemarle.org/police.

Battle of the Badges is also happening at Darden Towe Park on October 30 - catch a softball game featuring regional first responders. The games begin at 8 am, with the championship slated for 4 pm.



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

Veterans Day Ceremony: We invite community members to attend the Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, 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) - Ninth Annual Great Pumpkin Smash Composting Event 

Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) is hosting the 9th Annual Great Pumpkin Smash composting event at McIntire Recycling Center (611 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902) on November 4-9, 2026, 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.

Photo Credit: Rivanna Solid Waste Authority - local pumpkins disposed of during 2025's Great Pumpkin Smash Composting Event

Upcoming McIntire Recycling Center Winter Hours

With Daylight Saving Time ending soon, the McIntire Recycling Center will begin its winter hours on Monday, November 2, 2026. The facility will open at 8:30 am and close at 5:30 pm to coincide with the earlier sunsets.



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!

Economic Development Job Opportunity: Central Virginia National Security Alliance

Our partners at the Central Virginia National Security Alliance are seeking a Director to lead regional efforts that support and strengthen Central Virginia’s national security and intelligence ecosystem. This role will guide strategic initiatives, engage partners across industry, government, and academia, and help position the region for continued growth in the national security sector. The application deadline is November 30. Learn more and apply on their website.

Announcements

Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR): Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Recipient

Albemarle County Parks and Recreation (ACPR)

2026 Second-Half Property Taxes: Due December 7 

2026 Second-Half Property taxes will be mailed in the coming weeks. We'll also have Spanish interpreter services available from Monday, November 30 - Monday, December 7 from 8 am – 5 pm, in-person at

the County Office Building located at 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902 or by telephone at 434-296-5851.

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. 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 and view all digital payment options. 
• 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 the deadline date on the bill for the current year 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 and digital 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 7, 2026. 

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

Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission: Transportation Assistance Available for Older Adults and People with Disabilities

Starting this month, the Partnership for Accessible Transportation Help (PATH), a program of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, received $50,000 from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to expand its Transportation Assistance Fund (TAF).

The fund can help cover transportation costs for eligible residents after other options, including public transit, paratransit, volunteer driver programs, family support, and insurance-covered transportation, have been explored and are unavailable or unsuitable. The expanded funding will increase PATH’s ability to assist eligible residents in Charlottesville and Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson counties.

Eligible applicants include adults age 65 and older and people with disabilities who meet income guidelines and do not have another suitable transportation option. Each request is reviewed individually.

Know someone who needs transportation? Residents, families, caregivers, healthcare providers, social workers, case managers, and community organizations can contact PATH for more information, to request assistance, or to make a referral.



PATH Helpline: 888-879-7379

Learn more: pathva.org/taf



Veterans Day Ceremony and Upcoming Office Closures

Our offices will be closed on Wednesday, 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 Wednesday, 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 25, through Friday, November 27, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Public safety departments will operate as usual. 

People & Project Spotlights

Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR)/ Albemarle County Police (ACPD)

ACFR/ACPD Cardiac Emergency Recognition Event

Members of Albemarle County Fire Rescue, the Albemarle County Police Department, Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle County Emergency Communications Center, and an off-duty member of the Western Albemarle Rescue Squad were recently recognized for their coordinated response to a cardiac emergency that helped save a person's life.

Through quick response times, decisive action, and seamless teamwork, these first responders worked together when every second mattered most.

In a cardiac emergency, knowing CPR can help save a life. If someone collapses and is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 911, and begin hands-only CPR. Being prepared to act could help save someone's life.

Information Technology (IT) Department Represents Albemarle at Statewide Technology Summit, and IT Wins A National Award

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and our organization continues to make ongoing progress in both cybersecurity and responsible technology adoption. IT Director Roderick Burton (pictured second from the far right) represented Albemarle County at the statewide Commonwealth of Virginia Information Technology Symposium (COVITS), where he spoke about the cybersecurity challenges smaller localities face and the importance of responsible AI use. COVITS is an annual public‑sector technology event hosted by the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) in partnership with Government Technology.

Our IT Department was also recently recognized by the Center for Digital Government with a 2026 Government Experience Award for advancing user-friendly, accessible, and responsive digital services. Now in its 10th year, the program highlights governments that are modernizing services through innovative tools and technology. Albemarle County earned 5th Place for Overall County Government Experience—an achievement that reflects our team’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality digital services for our residents.

In Case You Missed It

Ways to Vote: November 2026 General Election



Election Day - Tuesday, November 3, 2026. All precinct polling places will be open from 6 am to 7 pm. There are three different ways to cast your vote:

• early in-person,
• vote by mail (absentee),
• or in-person at your polling place on Election Day

Early in-person voting began Friday, September 18 and runs through Saturday, October 31. Any voter registered in Albemarle County may vote early in person at the County Office Building on 5th Street in Conference Room A. 

For those eligible, Same-Day Registration is available to cast a provisional ballot until November 3. 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 23. 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.

What's on the ballot? View the Proposed Constitutional Amendments and Local Referendum to be voted on at the November 3, 2026 Election

This November, in addition to the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and the Proposed Constitutional Amendments, Albemarle County voters will also decide whether the County may add a 1% local sales tax—one cent per dollar—dedicated solely to building and renovating public schools, as allowed by state law. Visit our website to learn about the School Construction Sales Tax Referendum.

Still have questions about this election? Call our Elections Office at 434-972-4173 for assistance. 



Reminder: Deadline for First-Time Real Estate Tax Relief is November 2, 2026

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 Monday, November 2, 2026. You may qualify if:

• You were the owner of record as of January 1, 2026
• As of December 31, 2025, 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 2025 was no more than $100,650 and
• The combined total net worth of you and your spouse did not exceed $321,000 as of December 31, 2025

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

Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD)

Recap: Prescription Drug Take Back Day

The Albemarle County Police Department, in partnership with Sentara 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 615 pounds of prescription meds, bringing our 2026 total to over 1,300 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.



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



Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR) Events Recap and Reminder

This month, Fire Prevention Week took place, and this year’s events shared fire safety information and helped our community learn how to stay safe. The week featured 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 for participating in and supporting these events. 

Assessment of the Community Development Department Has Been Released



The County engaged Matrix Consulting to conduct an organizational assessment of the Community Development Department and review our development review process. We’re sharing the final report from the assessment, which includes 85 recommendations of varying priorities for the County to consider. 

Matrix reviewed the department’s operations, administration, and coordination with departments and agencies within and outside the County. Through in-person staff interviews, key focus groups, and a survey of customers and the broader community, Matrix gathered information on staffing levels, roles and responsibilities, workload, performance metrics, issues, and needs. The analysis also included a review of industry best management practices and a comparison with six surveyed counties. 

The report identifies strengths and areas for improvement in management and administration, development review, technology use, customer service and outreach, and staffing. The best practices comparison found that the County met or was working toward meeting 85% of the 61 operational targets evaluated.

Read the original email and learn more.

Geographic Information System (GIS) Viewer Maintenance Completed - New Enhancements Now Available



This month, we announced the latest GIS Viewer updates, which broaden its functionality and improve the user experience. Highlights include:

• Enhanced search functionality that can:

o  Translate ‘plain-language’ questions into accurate parcel searches.

o  Identify permits (after 2020) in the County Enterprise Permitting and Licensing System and provide links in Civic Access Portal.

o Provide a Search History for users.

• An improved “Markup” tool that includes mapping from (uploading) Excel, KML/KMZ, and Shapefiles.
• A search function in the “Layers” tool.
• A swipe function in the “Maps” tool.
• Ability to generate mailing labels from search results in the Table view.
• The reintroduction of photos & sketches to the Parcel Pane.
• Integrated access to Google Maps for parcels.

The GIS Viewer is a software application and interactive tool used for viewing/navigating maps and spatial data. It's used to create, manage, analyze, and map all types of location data, and to connect that data to maps. Our interactive GIS Viewer provides access to a range of property data, such as parcel filtering, sketching and measuring tools to determine distances between areas, customized map printing and more. Additional information, as well as instructions for using the viewer, can be found on our website. 

Read the original email to learn more about the latest GIS updates.

Reminder: FY28 County Funding Opportunities for Community Non-Profits

Thanks to everyone who participated in the virtual FY28 Human Services Funding Process, Arts & Cultural Funding, and Community Non‑Profit Capital Request Funding Process information sessions. These sessions were intended to help organizations prepare before applications opened on the Wizehive NextZen online platform on October 1, 2026, and are due by 11:59 pm on Monday, November 2.

If you missed the virtual orientation sessions covering all three funding programs, the application process, and an overview of the Wizehive site, you can view the session recording and presentation slides on our website. We appreciate connecting with you and are thankful for the opportunity to support your organizations throughout the FY28 funding process. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Office of Grants and Agreements at grants@albemarle.org.



Reminder: Protect Yourself from Albemarle County Impersonation Scams

Scammers are increasingly posing as Albemarle County departments or employees through email, phone, text, mail, social media, and even in person. These messages may look official and may reference real County details, but their goal is to pressure you into acting quickly or sharing sensitive information.

Remember: stop before responding, check for red flags like unusual payment requests or unfamiliar email addresses, and verify directly with the County if something feels off. Read the full email for more details and tips to avoid scammers.

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