Albemarle County supervisors adopt FY 2026 budget

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors adopted a $644 million FY26 budget on May 7. The budget is balanced with a 4-cent increase to the real property tax rate, and a restoration of the pre-pandemic personal property tax rate. New rates go into effect on July 1, for an overall real property tax rate of […]

Albemarle County weighing two tax increases

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors is in the midst of budget season, with a draft budget of $642,386,163. To balance the budget for fiscal year 2026, the county has proposed increases to its real property and personal property taxes. Under the current FY26 budget, the real property tax (also known as the real estate […]

In brief: Richardson steps down, Johnny Reb goes down, and more

One down Johnny Reb, the bronze Confederate soldier who has stood, musket in hand, outside the Albemarle County Courthouse since 1909, has been replaced by a patch of hay. After the Unite the Right rally accelerated the national debate over Confederate monuments, Charlottesville finally took down one of our own. The Albemarle Board of Supervisors […]

Mallek seeks fourth term

Albemarle native Ann Mallek likes serving on the Board of Supervisors so much that she’s running for a fourth term. “I enjoy all the work,” she says. “And meeting people. Especially meeting people.” The 68-year-old farmer and educator, who represents the White Hall District, says, “My skill over the past 11 years is to listen […]

In brief: Robo designated driver, Thanksgiving casualties, Bigfoot erotica and more

Tony the self-driving shuttle Perrone Robotics cranked up the driverless vehicle heat last week with the awkwardly acronymed Tony—TO Navigate You—which will soon be autonomously tooling around Crozet. In a partnership with Albemarle County and JAUNT—Jefferson Area UNited Transportation, another awkward acronym—Perrone will test drive the shuttle near its facility in Crozet before it begins […]

Insurance denied: City footing Lee statue, parking garage legal bills

Since 2016, Charlottesville has faced a larger-than-usual number of high-profile lawsuits, and in at least two cases, its insurance carrier won’t be picking up the tab. And while the carrier hasn’t seen the most recent suit, filed by Albemarle County over the Ragged Mountain Natural Area April 20, that litigation could join the Lee statue […]

Is Hedgerow a no-go? County pushes for biking park that bikers don’t want

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors has made it clear that, though Charlottesville’s City Council has voted to allow mountain biking at Ragged Mountain Natural Area—a city-owned park located in the county—they don’t like it one bit because county regulations prohibit activities like biking that could pollute the reservoir. As an alternative, the supes are […]