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The Secret Sauce: Chesterfield’s FY27 Budget Addresses Growth, Challenges, and Community Need
 Over the past decade, Chesterfield County has increasingly been recognized as one of Virginia’s most desirable places to live, raise a family and start a business. The proposed fiscal year 2027 budget responds to the needs of a steadily growing population and the broad range of challenges the local government manages each day.
Departments across the organization are seeing heavier workloads as demographics shift and community needs evolve. At a time of rising costs, geopolitical threats and economic uncertainty, demand is increasing for everything from schools and emergency services to behavioral health services and transportation.
“Operating under growing federal and state mandates without funding associated with costs is an annual challenge,” said Dr. Joe Casey, county administrator.
The $2.3 billion total operating budget proposal, which was presented to the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, keeps pace with local needs, maintaining the county’s long-standing emphasis on fiscal responsibility, affordability and access to high-quality public services.
Members of the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors will host a series of community meetings on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget.
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In case you missed the March 11 Board of Supervisors meeting, here is a brief roundup of items from the board's monthly work session and business meeting:
- Readoption of satellite absentee voting ordinance
- Proposed FY27 budget presentations
- Conveyance of surplus county property
- Lease agreement with rapids baseball incorporated
- Virginia Department of Transportation update
- Amendment to Hickory Estates open-space easement
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In the News
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First-Ever Chesterfield's Got Talent on March 26
Get inspired at the Inaugural Chesterfield's Got Talent Youth Showcase with an evening of amazing performances by local young talent. The event will begin at 5 p.m. in the auditorium of Meadowbrook High School.
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13th Annual Diaper Drive Continues Throughout March
Chesterfield's Diaper Drive is collecting newly packaged baby diapers and wipes. The program benefits children and families enrolled in the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Families First and Infant and Toddler Connection of Chesterfield programs.
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Early Voting Under Way for April 21 Special Election
Early voting for Virginia's April 21 special election started Friday, March 6 at Central Library. On the ballot is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow for congressional redistricting outside of the 10-year census reapportionment.
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Comment on Draft FY27 Action Plan by April 7
Chesterfield is accepting comments on the draft FY27 Annual Action Plan, which outlines how federal housing and community development funds may be used in the community. The 30-day public comment period is open through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7.
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VA Young Adult Survey Open Through April 30
Are you between the ages of 18-25 or know someone who is? Consider taking the Virginia Young Adult Survey. For Chesterfield residents, the reward for completing the survey is a $15 Wawa gift card. To receive the gift card, you will be asked to provide your address.
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Farmers Market Seeking Vendors for 2026 Season
The Chesterfield Farmers Market is currently seeking vendors who are growers, producers, fiber artists and culinary artists for the 2026 season. The market opens May 6 and continues on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Sept. 30 at 6701 Mimms Loop.
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Upcoming Events
L.E.T.S. Save Lives: Suicide Prevention for the Black Community
Thursday, March 19, 6:30 p.m. at Meadowdale Library
From the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, an expert-led presentation to reduce cultural stigma, foster conversations about mental health and raise awareness of suicide prevention for Blacks and African Americans.
The Lynn Theatre Presents The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Friday, March 20 through March 29 at Brightpoint Community College
Put your sleuthing hat on and get ready for some fun as The Lynn Theatre at Brightpoint Community College brings The Mystery of Edwin Drood to the stage. This hilarious whodunit, based on Charles Dickens’ final, unfinished novel, gives audience members the chance to solve the case by choosing the identity of the murderer. The production unfolds as a show-within-a-show, as the Music Hall Royale, a delightfully loony Victorian theatre company, presents Dickens’ brooding mystery.
The English World of Pocahontas
Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Henricus Historical Park
Historical interpreters will demonstrate the cultural, social, political and personal changes Pocahontas went through in the aftermath of her being taken as prisoner in the Spring of 1613, through her time at Jamestown and Henricus, to her death in England on March 21, 1617.
Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Henricus Historical Park
This event will focus on the responses by the English made in the aftermath of defeats they endured by Powhatan leader Opechancanough's military offensive in 1622. Historical interpreters will be demonstrating military tactics such as training on muskets, armor, pikes, swords, medical techniques and more. Learn about the story of heroine Alice Proctor's successful defense of her husband's plantation for several weeks. Experience the Powhatan perspective of why and how this attack and eventual war was carried out.
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Chesterfield Utilities' Innovative EyeOnWater App Helps Customers Monitor Water Usage
Like the proverbial tree that falls in the forest, can innovation be truly useful if customers don’t know about it?
This was the challenge faced by Chesterfield’s Utilities Department following the launch of its EyeOnWater portal, a free, cloud-based application that allows customers to monitor their water usage in near real-time and avoid unnecessary costs by receiving alerts regarding leaks or other issues causing higher-than-normal consumption.
EyeOnWater was part of Utilities’ Advanced Metering Initiative, an extensive multiyear project to replace nearly 140,000 manually read water meters with smart meters.
While the portal is easy to use and provides many benefits, staff realized they had to raise public awareness to increase usage. With 124,000 customer accounts representing a wide range of demographics, including technical skills and the willingness to utilize available technology, the question was how best to accomplish that goal.
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Chesterfield Behind the Mic
On the latest episode of Chesterfield Behind the Mic, which drops tomorrow, Deputy County Administrator Matt Harris and Budget Director Gerard Durkin go in depth on the proposed FY27 county budget, what is included, the methods by which Chesterfield went about balancing the county’s need with the realities facing taxpayers, and much more.
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Every Monday, This Week in Chesterfield points residents to fun, exciting and interesting things going on around their community.
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Chesterfield Behind the Mic is an audio and video podcast focusing on the people, stories and happenings of #Cfield.
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Subscribe to our Chesterfield on Point blog to stay informed about a variety of topics and events important to the community.
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Adoptable Pet Spotlight
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Meet Windex!
Poor Windex has already had such a rough life. He came to our shelter emaciated with sores on his legs and tears in both of his ears! Despite all that, Windex is still such a sweet boy. He absolutely LOVES squeaky toys and unsurprisingly is a big fan of food! He'd also enjoy either a nice big yard outside or plenty of walks with his new family!
Windex was curious when meeting a new dog at the shelter, so he probably wouldn't mind having another dog to spend time with at home. He did test positive for heartworms but has been started on treatment for this. Windex is a 2-year-old neutered male Hound mix weighing around 47lbs.
If you are interested in meeting this pet, please contact Chesterfield County Animal Services at 804-748-1683, option "2," to schedule an appointment. Office staff are available by phone 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays. Our shelter is located at 9300 Public Works Road.
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Resources and Useful Information
Report Concerns or Request Assistance
Chesterfield County is dedicated to upholding the highest standards through efficient uses of resources, promoting integrity and accountability and ensuring Chesterfield is the best place to live, learn, work and play.
As part of that commitment, the county welcomes and encourages citizens to provide feedback, concerns, report fraud, waste or abuse.
If you are experiencing an emergency or to report a crime in progress, call 911. For more information, please visit chesterfield.gov/report.
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GRTC's LINK Service Now Operating on Hull Street Road
LINK, the on-demand microtransit service from GRTC, is now available in the Clover Dale Zone.
LINK runs Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.-8 p.m., connecting you anywhere in your community. Simply download the GRTC on the Go app and select your pick-up and drop-off locations anywhere within our service area, and we’ll be there within 20 minutes to get you where you need to go.
The Clover Dale Zone provides quick and convenient service along Hull Street Road from Chippenham Mall to Harbourside Centre, with direct connection to downtown Richmond via GRTC’s Route 1C and 82x. LINK vehicles are fully ADA accessible, and feature on-board WIFI and USB charging ports – and right now, LINK is entirely fare-free!
For more information, visit ridegrtc.com/link or call 804-358-4792.
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Get Accurate, Up-to-Date Information from Chesterfield Alert
Now is the time for residents to familiarize themselves with all of the different ways that Chesterfield County puts out emergency information.
One of those is Chesterfield Alert, an opt-in system that sends messages directly to you in the event of an emergency. This system can send out alerts via text, email, and phone call depending on how the subscriber chooses to receive the messages. Sign up today!
Click here to learn more about how you can get accurate, up-to-date information from Chesterfield in the event of an emergency.
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Request a Speaker Today!
Did you know your group or organization can request a speaker from the #Cfield Speakers Bureau? The Speakers Bureau features a variety of topics on current and timely subjects from county leaders who are eager to talk to your group or organization.
Our subject-matter experts want to be your best resource for getting answers to important questions about Chesterfield. Topics include:
✅ District update – Request your board member to speak
✅ Preparing for an emergency - Emergency Management
✅ Senior resources in Chesterfield - Office of Aging and Disability Resources
✅ So much more
Request a speaker online.
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 Sheila Pope Named School Social Worker of the Year
During School Social Work Week (March 1-7), Chesterfield County Public Schools recognized and celebrated school social workers for the vital role they play in supporting students, families and school communities.
The annual celebration includes naming the school system’s School Social Worker of the Year. This year’s honoree is Sheila Pope, school social worker for Thomas Dale High and Curtis Elementary. With 43 years in the field of social work, she is a recognized leader throughout both schools. One of her outstanding initiatives is the PUPS Club, which includes a therapy dog and brings together high school and elementary students.
 Doors that Teach at Robious Elementary
A Black History Month reading project allowed students at Robious Elementary independently reflect on and appreciate the uniqueness in themselves and others. Watch this video to see how classrooms connect with books for an engaging and authentic learning experience.
Interview Day Connects CTC Students with Careers
The Career and Technical Center recently hosted its annual Interview Day, where more than 30 business partners conducted interviews with nearly 230 students. Over the two-day event, students gained valuable experience while seeking job shadowing, internships and immediate employment. Beyond the interviews, students sharpened their employability skills through sessions on social media etiquette, professional headshots and micro-credentialing preparation.
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