James City government center expected to cost $177M
Data centers, temporary cellular setups, and solar energy affected by State mandates discussed
James City County supervisors received a construction update on the new consolidated government center, with officials reporting that the guaranteed maximum price will likely be $177 million, approximately $2 million less than the previous estimate. Assistant County Administrator Bradley Rinehimer told the board that the county is preparing to finalize the comprehensive agreement, with just a few remaining items to resolve before the county administrator signs the final document. The board also initiated consideration of required amendments to the zoning and subdivision ordinances in response to 2026 state legislation addressing data center sound assessments, temporary wireless facilities, solar energy standards, and housing reforms.
Construction continues at the government center site with ongoing storm water work, foundation pours for elevator shafts, and concrete columns extending through the planned podium parking area. Workers are conducting preliminary HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work for underlab installations, with concrete slab pours scheduled to begin soon. Work on the southern portion of the recreation center parking lot will begin in August, requiring residents to use the northern entrance during construction. Once the southern side is complete, adjustments will be made to the northern side to improve traffic flow and pedestrian access, county officials said. Rinehimer added that design drawings have been completed for the new library, with library staff actively involved throughout the design process. Rinehimer provided the update to supervisors during their regular meeting, beginning at 1:18:16.
Board initiates zoning amendments to align with 2026 state legislation Deputy County Attorney Liz Parman presented a resolution initiating amendments to the county’s zoning and subdivision ordinances in response to legislation adopted by the Virginia General Assembly during its 2026 session. The proposed amendments would address sound profile assessments for data centers, temporary wireless communication facilities, standards for solar energy projects, and regulatory reforms intended to increase housing availability. Not all new state laws will require significant local ordinance changes, Parman explained, but the county attorney’s office and planning division must review each measure to determine necessary amendments. With the resolution approved, staff can now prepare specific ordinance language for future consideration. The discussion occurred during the board’s meeting, beginning at 1:26:36.
Closed Session The board entered closed session to discuss several personnel and legal matters:
Board and commission appointments, including a staff appointment to the Colonial Behavioral Health Board, appointments to the Economic Development Authority, and appointments to the inaugural board of directors for the James City County Community Land Trust
Performance evaluations for the County Administrator and County Attorney
Real property acquisition for a public purpose, involving two parcels on Jolly Pond Road
Pending litigation, specifically a tax dispute with Seaworld Parks & Entertainment, LLC
Legal advice from county counsel on a specific provision of the Code of Virginia
The board of supervisors meeting addressed multiple operational updates and policy changes affecting county services and programs:
Parks and Recreation marks 45th anniversary July was recognized as Parks and Recreation Month, marking the 45th anniversary of Parks and Recreation in James City County. A proclamation read by the board designated July 17, 2026, as Parks and Recreation Professionals Day. Accepting on behalf of the department, the recreation chief told supervisors that staff members plan, create, and develop programs with intention and work hard so residents can play and have a good time. Seventeen parks, 24 trails, and 1,716 acres of recreational and green space make up the county’s public offerings. A customer appreciation event is set for July 18 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the James City County Recreation Center, returning to the facility where county recreation services began in 1981. The celebration highlighted the department’s contributions to community health and quality of life, beginning at 3:23.
Capital Trail extension would link Jamestown to Colonial Williamsburg A proposed 7.5-mile trail extension connecting Jamestown to Colonial Williamsburg was the subject of an update from the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation. According to a foundation spokesperson, the extension would build on the success of the existing 51.7-mile Virginia Capital Trail, which serves more than one million annual users. Total cost for the full extension is projected between $25 million and $33 million, with the James City County portion estimated at $13 million to $17 million. A $2.5 million budget amendment has already been introduced in the General Assembly for partial funding of the project. Foundation officials expect the trail’s existing $8.5 million in annual economic impact, documented in a 2019 study, to increase significantly with the extension. At least eight feet wide and separated from roadways throughout its length, the proposed trail would offer benefits for recreation, transportation, and economic development. Supervisors asked questions about project costs and economic impacts during the presentation, beginning at 12:57.
Board reviews reassessment process A detailed walkthrough of the county’s two-year land valuation project and reassessment process followed, led by the assessments chief. Land sales from 2021 through 2025 were analyzed to establish base values and create market areas driven by sales patterns, the official explained, with a tiered land valuation approach reflecting that the majority of a parcel’s purchase price typically applies to a small portion of the total acreage. The administrator noted that he and the county attorney have discussed implementing a cap on annual assessment increases, addressing situations where property owners face dramatic increases all at once, particularly when some parcels had not changed values for 20 years.
Residents receiving 50, 80, or 100 percent increases in their tax bills at one time drew concern from the board, with one member calling it a painful consequence of playing catchup. Only 37 or 38 of the 89 residents who requested appeal forms proceeded to Board of Equalization hearings, and the majority of assessments were upheld. The assessments chief, who is retiring from the role but staying on with the county in a project capacity, noted the transition. Years of understaffing in the office were acknowledged by the finance department’s leader, who added that the board has supported additional positions and technology improvements, beginning at 25:12.
Elderly and disabled tax exemption program reviewed Next came information on the county’s real estate tax exemption program for elderly and disabled residents. Household income limits of $55,000, asset limits of $200,000, and an exemption on the first $150,000 of home value currently define eligibility, with 430 residents qualifying. By comparison, the 2000 program had income limits of $22,500, asset limits of $75,000, and exempted the first $65,000 of home value, serving 220 applicants. Income and asset qualifications can’t be changed in time for fiscal year 2027, supervisors were told, since applications were due three weeks prior. The board could still adjust the exemption amount, and qualification changes should be considered for fiscal year 2028.
Concerns that the exemption value has not kept pace with rising home prices were raised, with the average James City County home now valued at approximately $460,000. Roughly $520,000 in foregone revenue annually goes toward the elderly and disabled exemption program, while disabled veteran exemptions total approximately $6.1 million for the current tax year. Staff will analyze the program’s impact and bring recommendations to the board, the administrator said, beginning at 55:32.
Purchasing policy thresholds increased Updates to the county purchasing policy, aimed at increasing efficiency thresholds for procurement decisions, were approved next. Presented by the administrator, the changes raise the small purchase limit from $2,500 to $5,000, increase the county administrator’s contract approval authority from $100,000 to $250,000, and boost contract amendment authority from $50,000 to $100,000. Board approval is still required for all contracts exceeding $250,000 unless the project is already included in the capital improvement program budget. The James City County Service Authority board of directors had already adopted the same policy updates, it was noted. See the discussion beginning at 1:15:40.
General Services Department renamed Public Works Renaming the General Services Department to the Public Works Department and establishing Custodial Services as a separate division rounded out the board’s actions. Population growth, expanded programs, and the addition of divisions over the years have significantly changed the department’s scope, the operations chief explained. The organizational changes take effect July 1, 2026, beginning at 1:21:16.
