Board of Supervisors - 2026-02-17
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting on February 17, 2026 focused heavily on the FY2027 budget presentation, which revealed a structural revenue crisis driven by $40 million in projected disabled veteran tax relief exemptions (up from $22 million budgeted to $29 million actual this year). The proposed budget includes a tax rate increase to $0.985 (from current rate) plus a fire levy increase to $0.14, representing approximately an 11.5% combined increase for the average homeowner. The board unanimously approved the sale of the former Annie Moncure Elementary School site (10 acres on Garrisonville Road) to Southeastern Property Acquisitions LLC for $3.3 million for a Harris Teeter-anchored retail development, and approved a conditional use permit for a Checkers restaurant with drive-through on Warrenton Road.
Key Decisions (8)
Sale of Former Annie Moncure Elementary School Site
Authorized execution of purchase agreement to convey 10-acre county-owned parcel (Tax Map 20-136A) on Garrisonville Road to Southeastern Property Acquisitions LLC for $3.3 million. The site will be developed as a Harris Teeter-anchored retail center with restaurants. Contract includes 180-day inspection period with three 90-day extensions, requires B-2 rezoning, prohibits residential uses, and requires GDP and development schedule in proffers.
Checkers Restaurant Drive-Through CUP on Warrenton Road
Approved conditional use permit (CUP 24-15587) for a 1,000 square foot Checkers restaurant with drive-through on 0.442-acre parcel (Tax Map 45-19B) at 554 Warrenton Road in B-2 Urban Commercial and Highway Corridor Overlay District. Includes 11 parking spaces and 200 square foot outdoor seating area.
FY2027 Budget Presentation and Calendar
County Administrator presented proposed FY2027 budget with tax rate of $0.985 and fire levy of $0.14. Budget includes $24 million increase for schools (68% of new revenue), 4% compensation increase for public safety and general government employees, and absorbs $44 million in mandatory costs including three new schools, debt service, and $12.5 million additional veteran tax relief. Only 2 revenue-neutral positions added out of 81 requested.
GWRC FAMPO Build Grant Letter of Support
Approved letter of support for GWRC/FAMPO federal BUILD grant application for Rappahannock River Crossing project study including NEPA and traffic model analysis.
School Board Exemption from Developer Security Requirements
Amended county development security policy to add Stafford County School Board as exempt entity from developer security and performance agreement requirements.
Drew Middle School Literary Loan Authorization
Authorized advertisement of public hearing to issue $25 million in debt through VDOE Literary Loan program at approximately 3% interest rate for Drew Middle School rebuild (not renovation). Project will increase capacity from 650 to approximately 1,100 students with 4,000 square foot addition.
Emergency Shelter Upgrade Grant Acceptance
Accepted FY2026 Virginia Emergency Shelter Upgrade Assistance Grant for generators at Rodney Thompson and Gail Middle Schools. Pass-through from county to schools with partial state funding.
Project Lifesaver Grant Application Authorization
Authorized county administrator to apply for Bureau of Justice Assistance FY2025 Kevin and Avante Program Grant for up to $150,000 over 36 months to purchase equipment for Sheriff's Office Project Lifesaver program including upgraded trackers, trailer, batteries, bands, and mobile units.
Zoning Changes (3)
Tax Map Parcel 20-136A, Garrisonville Road (former Annie Moncure Elementary School site)
Southeastern Property Acquisitions LLC
554 Warrenton Road (Tax Map 45-19B)
Sayed Rizvi (Checkers)
Cranes Corner property
Not specified
Development Activity (13)
Harris Teeter Retail Center (Former Annie Moncure Elementary)
10-acre site to be developed with Harris Teeter grocery store anchor, restaurants, and retail. Total investment approximately $30-40 million. Developer has 40-year history with 26 current retail projects.
Checkers Restaurant
1,000 square foot fast food restaurant with 200 square foot outdoor seating, drive-through facility, 11 parking spaces on 0.442-acre parcel
Market at Austin Ridge Data Center
450,000 square foot data center proposed with 70 dB noise proffer (15 dB above county ordinance), 150-foot setback from residential (80% reduction from required 750 feet), 60-foot landscape strip, 44 industrial diesel generators along residential property line. Three different GDP options proposed.
Potomac Church Data Center
First partially valued hyperscale data center in county. Building partially complete, expected to be finished later this spring. Will be fully valued within calendar year 2026.
Cranes Corner Data Center
Approved data center with noise limits at 55 dBA and 70 dBC. Property rezoned from M-1 to M-2.
Drew Middle School Rebuild
Complete rebuild (not renovation) increasing capacity from 650 to approximately 1,100 students with 4,000 square foot addition. Includes ADA accessibility, electrical, fire alarm, fire suppression, HVAC, life safety, plumbing upgrades, plus architectural improvements.
Hartwood High School
New school construction, part of $10.5 million operating commitment in FY2027 budget for three new schools
Falls Run Elementary School
New school with Fox Hounds mascot, part of $10.5 million operating commitment. Logo recently unveiled.
Crows Nest Elementary School
New school construction, part of $10.5 million operating commitment in FY2027 budget
New Courthouse Facility
$18.3 million allocated for design phase in FY2027 capital program. Will replace existing courthouse.
Carl Lewis Community Center Replacement
Replacement facility with ADA accessible hall, commercial kitchen, and improved parking
North Stafford High School Fine Arts Wing
Addition and renovation of dedicated orchestra, drama, and music spaces
Roddy Thompson Middle School Mechanical Systems
End-of-life mechanical systems replacement
Market Signals (10)
Housing Demand
County has third highest growth rate among seven comparable jurisdictions but no longer ranks among top 10 fastest growing communities nationally.
Housing Demand
17% of county population are school students - second highest among comparable jurisdictions, indicating strong family housing demand.
Commercial Demand
Agricultural land values increased significantly due to developer/data center market activity, with prices rising from $8,000-12,000 per acre to $12,000-16,000 per acre.
Sentiment
Business community reportedly views Stafford County as having 'the worst reputation in Northern Virginia' for development, according to recent meeting with supervisors.
Infrastructure
County has $70+ million in transportation projects underway including Enon Road, Route 1, Sifonica and Mountain View Roads intersections, and US 17 STARS project.
Commercial Demand
Data center values increased 52% from $416 million in 2023 to $634 million in 2024, representing 7% of the 9% commercial property value increase.
Housing Demand
Median residential assessed value now $477,000; single family detached median $503,200; townhouses $359,400; condos $319,500.
Sentiment
Total county assessed value reached historic high of $31.5 billion, up from approximately $28 billion two years ago.
Other
Prince William County's commercial tax base grew to 34% after data center development, compared to Stafford's current 17% commercial base.
Infrastructure
First business property tax revenue from data centers expected January 2027 from Potomac Church facility.