Coraggio Consulting
Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Organizational Meeting - January 7, 2026, Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Place: Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, Virginia
Length: 56m (video)
Official meeting video (CivicClerk): https://chesterfieldcova.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1967/media
Official agenda (CivicClerk): https://chesterfieldcova.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=3834,plainText=false)
Official minutes (CivicClerk): https://chesterfieldcova.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=3842,plainText=false)

Machine transcript (speech-to-text) produced by Coraggio Consulting. Not an official county record. Names and numbers may be misspelled; check the video at the timestamp before quoting.
Speech-to-text: whisper.cpp, model large-v3-turbo. Produced 2026-10-24. Timestamps are [HH:MM:SS] into the meeting video.

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[00:00:53] Good evening, members of the board, members of the public that are behind me, and those that are watching. This is the organizational meeting of the Board of Supervisors, and out of tradition, the county administrator just simply facilitates the very beginning of this meeting as part of the organizational nature.

[00:01:14] And my first action, and last action in doing this, is to call upon Ms. Schneider to give the invocation. Thank you, Joe. Before I begin, I just want to ask that we're here tonight as the prayer kind of atmosphere.

[00:01:36] And so there are several people that I think we just want to ask for some prayers for for our community. One of our firefighters, Chase, was injured last night and is in the hospital down at VCU. He's doing okay, but any prayers that we could ask for his full and healthy and speedy recovery, that'd be awesome.

[00:01:59] Our dear Kim Connolly's mom passed away, Patricia Connolly. We'd ask that you keep her and her family in our prayers. As well as a very important person in the region for the history of the region, Bill Martin of the Valentine Museum was hit by a car and killed a couple days before Christmas.

[00:02:26] He was the most dear man, had so many wonderful conversations and history walkthroughs, the museum with him. He loved doing back of the house walkthroughs and just teach about things that he had in his collection. And it's a wonderful life cut too short. So please keep him and his family and all of the people in the region that loved him so much in their prayers. So please let us pause together to begin a new year of service to Chesterfield County. We give thanks for this

[00:03:03] community its neighborhoods its neighbors its history and the people who call it home and for the trusted places in us to serve all of them on their behalf it's such an honor to be trusted with that may we be guided by wisdom as we make decisions that shape our county's future by compassion as we consider the needs of every resident and by integrity in all that we do

[00:03:37] Grant us patience in moments of challenge, respect in our dialogue, and unity of purpose as we work to strengthen Chesterfield for generations to come. As we move forward into this new year, may our service reflect and share commitment to stewardship, collaboration, and the common good.

[00:04:04] And may it so be. Amen. We would like to call forward Deputy County Administrator Matt Harris to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[00:04:37] Item 3, request to postpone agenda items and additions, deletions, or changes in the order of presentation. Staff has one request. We would like to add item 4E5, appointment to the Richmond Region Tourism Board. That is all we have. Motion approved. Second.

[00:04:54] All in favor? Aye. Item 4, Organizational Meeting, A, Election of Chair and Vice Chair, Mr. Meeks. Members of the board, this is the first item traditionally at your organizational meeting, and that is the election of a chair.

[00:05:11] The chair nominations can be made without a second, and the board votes on the nominations once the nominations are closed in the order that the nominations are made, and so the floor is open. I can make a motion for the Honorable Mark Miller to be chair of the Cheshire County Board of Supervisors for the next year.

[00:05:35] Second. Any further nominations from the board? So nominations are closed, and we'll take a vote. All in favor? Aye. Aye. All opposed? Aye. And the motion carries.

[00:05:59] Thank you all.

[00:06:24] As being elected chair, thank you for that. I want to nominate Supervisor Kevin Carroll to serve as the vice chair. Are there any other nominations? Hearing no other nominations, we will now vote in all in favor of Kevin Carroll serving as vice chair.

[00:06:43] Aye. All opposed. Motion carries. Madam Clerk. Mr. Engel. Thank you, Madam Clerk.

[00:07:00] Got a lot of thank yous to give out, and I said I was going to try to be brief, and I will try to be brief. But first, I want to thank this board, those that were on the board that elected me, and those that have been appointed to the board since I became chair.

[00:07:21] It's been an honor and a privilege. It's been very refreshing to have a new addition. I really thank Mr. Holland and his leadership prior to us being here, but having Laquan come on to the board has really, truly been refreshing.

[00:07:42] I hate to pigeonhole you a little bit, But you're like a young Mr. Holland, and I mean that as a compliment. And I really do believe that, like, when we got done talking this morning, we spent time together in prayer on the phone, and I really cherish that.

[00:08:01] And I cherish all the time that I've had to lead this board through this past year. I want to thank all of the staff in every department in the county that's had a fantastic year in serving our citizens.

[00:08:18] I want to especially thank those that serve directly to the board, Dr. Casey. My last time as chair, and your last time as county administrator. So I'm going to continue to rub that in until you leave. But thank you for this past year.

[00:08:40] County attorney Jeff Minx, thank you. I don't think the police chief, Frank Carpenter, is in here, but the police chief in Chesterfield County does report directly to the Board of Supervisors. And I do also want to say thank you to Chief Center and to Carl Leonard, our sheriff, as well, for having public safety in Chesterfield County that makes it very easy for our citizens to get behind, which makes it a whole lot easier for us as we support them in their endeavors to keep you safe.

[00:09:13] So I want to thank all of them. And I want to especially thank you, Susan, and your team for all that you've done to help us to be able to function this past year. Without that, we couldn't do it. And I want to thank all the citizens that send emails, the few thank yous, and all of the other challenging questions and thoughts that we get each year for making us sharper and work harder and to know more about what we're doing and what we're voting on as you ask us questions.

[00:09:47] So thank you to the citizens. Special thank you to a couple of citizens that just have been here for everything, Renee Eldred and Mr. and Mrs. Turner. There are several others, but they're the ones that are here tonight that are always here.

[00:10:02] So special thank you to you as well for this past year. And it's been an honor and a privilege, and it's been humbling to be able to serve in this role. But I know we're going to be in good hands this next year. If you need anything, we're here to support you and to help you.

[00:10:21] None of us knew what we were doing before we did it, so don't go into it worried about it. We're going to get through it together, and I'm really excited for what you're going to do this next year. Thank you.

[00:10:52] Mr. Engel, thank you for your service for 2025. I have a plaque for you. Folks, this is a gavel for Mr. Engel for the year of service, And we're going to go through a little bit in a second about what the last year looked like.

[00:11:18] But it is, believe me, just a token, but at the same time, it's what it represents. And I'm about to go through and list what it represents over the past year. But thank you. It's been an honor to be your vice chair.

[00:11:33] It really has been an honor. You have something for him, don't you?

[00:11:51] You might have. I was going on for his long time. Exactly. Man on my right, my vice chair. Thank you for that. So I want to take a moment to talk a little bit about what that gavel, what that plaque means.

[00:12:12] And we spent some time together, the board and staff, putting together a little bit about what has happened and transpired over the past year. You spoke to the loss of Mr. Holland, and I want to share with you what a rock you were, not just for this board, but for the staff and community, because much as we could remember, we as a staff have never lost a board member before, especially a sitting board member

[00:12:52] and someone who had been in the seat for so long. And so your ability to lead us, to hold us through that transition, and for Laquan, Dr. Hilton, to join us, I'm just so grateful for that.

[00:13:14] And that was one part of a very eventful year. I mean, after all, we went through and did a ZOMOD ordinance change, and that was something that was desperately needed. And at times, it was rather cumbersome, and yet you still were steadfast in that.

[00:13:35] You were steadfast in improving the relationships with us and the school board, with Ann Coker and constant communication, and the relationship we have with the school board has never been stronger. And a lot of that is because of you. A lot of it is because of you.

[00:13:51] We also have now a quad A bond rating, something that no one in the region ever had. And now we're in a situation where Hanover and Henrico were like, well, no, that's not going to work. We want to keep up with not only Chesterfield, but we want to keep up with Jim Engle.

[00:14:09] And so that was part of what it was about, was to show that we are leaders. And it shows how much you were leading and helping us to get that quadzilla bond rating. This year, we had a record number of NACO awards.

[00:14:28] We were, VACO, the Virginia Association of County, we got the number one large county award. This year was Commonwealth Fusion Systems. It was Dover Food and Google Announcements and Lego Topping Out Ceremony. In addition, we were completing Upper Mag West Advanced Manufacturing and doing all of that and all the zoning associated with that.

[00:14:51] We had middle school and elementary school openings. Start of additional elementary school being built in a high school being built. All during the past year, new fire station and animal shelter contracts, new unique state-of-the-art cricket field opened up this year, securing our fourth water source this year, leading the region in reliable water source during Richmond's water crisis and related regional water main breaks.

[00:15:22] and you right from the get-go right the beginning of January we're right there and helping us helping the community to be a leader and to be able to help the whole region and that's what it means to be chair that's what it means to be chair um leading the region in reliable water source but also lowering property real property taxes you did that exam of course that isn't done without the five of us, and that shows another level of your leadership. I am having difficulty remembering if we had anything beyond a 5-0 vote in almost everything that we went through. And again,

[00:16:02] that was about you communicating with all of us, talking with all of us, and making sure that we were all on the same page and being able to keep us focused on that. Also, I had this bold face on list and almost wanted to say it first but it's important to recognize that our staff are compensated and benefited workforce to market standards and even if we were going through a real property tax we were all focused and how

[00:16:38] important it is with your leadership to recognize that we need to make sure that that our staff are getting the salary that they deserve um increased visitation sports tourism i mean we are at a point now where river city is one of the largest um uh visitors or the microphone is doing something at the moment um but more people almost like a million people have come to river city um nash road public white extension woolridge road uh major additional major road projects, GRTC microtransit services, Shady Hill rezoning, my brother.

[00:17:19] Shady Hill rezoning for code. I'm sitting here as vice chair saying, do we really want to all do this tonight? And Jim is like, we are going to get this done tonight. And if it wasn't, just to kind of give you a sense of your, for folks that weren't there for the sense of humor, we were at a point, Mr. Inks was like, folks, we're getting really close to 11 o'clock.

[00:17:41] I don't know what we're going to do. We're going to need to go ahead and make a nomination or approval to move beyond 11 o'clock. And what did Jim Engle said? When we're trying to go through all of this, I'm willing to do it, but we get to take off our ties. That is so vintage Jim Engle.

[00:17:58] That is vintage Jim Engle. We went through that zoning, and we accomplished it. We found the win-win, and that was done with the five of us. We did it together, and you led us through that. And we're not even talking about the groundbreaking at Springline District 60 at the hotel.

[00:18:18] And then finally, a great idea that came from Mr. Carroll, but also first naming of new roads for fallen first responders. And that just shows where your head is, where our head is. And I just want to thank you for your leadership over the past year.

[00:18:38] We could not have done it without you. and I couldn't imagine doing it without you. So thank you very much for 2025.

[00:19:03] So that's what I have to live up to, boys and girls. Mr. Chair. Oh, my. Sir. If I could, I forgot to challenge you with one other thing. I also had the shortest meeting in the last five years and the longest. So I challenge you to beat the shortest, and I forbid you to beat the longest.

[00:19:22] Thank you for that. Yeah, I will do my best. - It is an honor to be serving as chair. My wife is in the audience. Jennifer, thank you for your support. Thank you for everything that you've done to help me through this.

[00:19:40] When Jennifer and I arrived here in 1997, refugees from California, it never occurred to me or us in our wildest dreams that I would have the honor to serve as the chair of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors.

[00:19:59] I recognize in my heart of hearts that if it wasn't for my family, but also it wasn't for that which is greater than myself. Folks call that God or great spirit or that much that's within us and around us.

[00:20:16] Within us, around us, all the time. And I've learned a long time ago that it's not my show, it's God's show. And my job is to listen deeply.

[00:20:32] My job is to follow the breadcrumbs. And my job is to do the best I can possibly do to honor. I want to thank this board for your trust and your willingness to put that in me.

[00:20:49] I couldn't be more grateful. And you spoke to it and I'll speak to it also. I would not be here if it wasn't for the citizens of the Midlothian District. I would not be here if it wasn't for the honor that was bestowed upon me to serve the Midlothian District.

[00:21:09] And that is something that I will ever, forever, be grateful. So I also want to thank Bright Point Community College, because I've been there for the last 10 years. And I would not be able to do this if they didn't give me a very long leash.

[00:21:29] And so I'm grateful that they're able to give me the space to serve all of you, to serve the 400,000 folks of Chesterfield County. And my prayers are that I can live up to the standard that you set.

[00:21:48] And again, I couldn't be more grateful. So thank you all. Thank you. - Mr. Chair. Just one more promise that from spring line, we'll be able to see the Virginia Beach, as you promised.

[00:22:09] I'm not a man of many jokes, but that was a good one, I hope. Madam Clerk. B, adoption of rules of procedure of the Board of Supervisors for 2026.

[00:22:27] Mr. Meeks. Mr. Chairman, members of the board, you're required every year at your organizational meeting to adopt rules of procedure. Sent out the and attached also to the agenda the Slightly modified rules of procedure just to add the new dates that are applicable to 2026 There was also sent around to the board an email with a proposed addition to section 2 of The board rules dealing with seating and seating arrangements And I hope everybody had a chance to look at that. I can read that

[00:23:07] If it would be easier, or if you have a copy that whoever makes a motion and would propose to add that to the rules of procedure, that could be read into the record as well. Anything else, Mr. Minks?

[00:23:26] No. All right. Board members, are there any questions for Mr. Minks? May I get a motion to a board to adopt the rules and procedures of the Board of Supervisors for 2026?

[00:23:41] Mr. Chair. Yes, sir. I make a motion to adopt the rules and procedures pursuant to the addition of the language in the email that was submitted. Mr. Makes, if you would read that. Yeah, what it says is board meeting seating arrangements for regular and special meetings shall commence after the organizational meeting as follows.

[00:24:03] 1, chair center, 2, vice chair to the right of the chair, 3, remaining members select seats based on seniority, and if equals seniority, then chair makes seating decision after consultation with board members.

[00:24:19] That's my motion, Mr. Chair. Can I get a second? Second. You can have it. Are there any discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Madam Clerk. D, setting of regular meeting dates for 2026.

[00:24:37] Mr. Chair. Has everyone reviewed the proposed meeting dates? And may I get a motion for approval? So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye. Madam Clerk. D. Adoption of policy allowing remote participation by board members at board meetings.

[00:24:58] Mr. Minks. Mr. Chairman, members of the board, now under state law, and this is a recent change in state law, you're required to annually adopt a policy to allow remote participation by board members in certain circumstances. The board has used this, not a lot, but has used it when needed in the past, and we would recommend that you adopt it again for the upcoming calendar year.

[00:25:24] Thank you, Mr. Minx. Board members, are there any questions for Mr. Minx? May I get a motion to adopt the policy allowing remote participation by board members at board meetings? So moved. Mr. Chair, I would just say that having one that had to use this policy, It's really thankful to the General Assembly for allowing localities to be able to adopt, and I guess the four-year council as well, to be able to adopt this policy, especially in the situation, you know, like when Mr. Honnold was sick, he was able to remote in.

[00:26:01] And so I think it's a good policy, and I'm happy to support it. Is there any other comments? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Madam Clerk. E, appointments.

[00:26:17] Mr. Chair, we have one appointment to the Committee on the Future. So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye. Madam Clerk? Next, we have one appointment to the Personnel Appeals Board. So moved. Can I get a second? Second. All in favor? Aye. Madam Clerk? Next, we have one appointment to the Planning Commission. So moved. Second. All in favor? Sorry. I figured you'd want to make that one. I do. All in favor? Aye. Madam Clerk?

[00:26:53] Next, we have one appointment to the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization. Do you have a motion on that? So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye. And last, we have one appointment to the Richmond Region Tourism Board. So moved.

[00:27:10] Second. All in favor? Aye. Madam Clerk. Mr. Chair, if you have any additional comments, you can give those at this time, or we can move on with the cornerstone presentation. Yeah, no, I don't have any additional at this time. Thank you so much.

[00:27:25] Item five, annual presentation of Cornerstone Assembly of God, Pastor Franco.

[00:27:39] Well, good evening to the board and happy new year to you, to Dr. Casey, Mr. Minx, to our leadership and team. We are so grateful for you and it is a privilege that as you begin this new term and serve that we are grateful to commit to prayer and our reflections of gratefulness for who you are, although Dr. Miller did such a good job of celebrating this year in such a great way.

[00:28:14] Of course, first to Mr. Engel and Dr. Miller, thank you for your leadership. As we entered the 275th year as a county, it was God's choosing for you to lead us in that time, not knowing a year ago today some of the special ways that the character and the personality and the giftings that you had would be so crucial to us as a community walking through what we walk through.

[00:28:41] Thank you for all that you've done. I do want to say, Mr. Engel, thank you for the compassionate way you and the board led the Shady Hill community through that rezoning. You did it with great compassion and with sacrifice to care for those that were there in a really beautiful way.

[00:28:59] So we are grateful and we appreciate all that you did there. To Ms. Snyder, I'm always so blessed to see your passion for those who serve our community, as well as the consistent eye on those who are in need.

[00:29:15] And I just want to honor your tireless advocacy for the funding of the domestic violence shelter and resources for that. Thank you. For Dr. Hilton, it is a blessing to know that you have humbly lived and led in such a way that was so respected by such great leaders, such as Mr. Holland, that this calling and this ability for you to step in this role you were so ready for. Congratulations and thank you for accepting that responsibility for us. For Dr.

[00:29:50] Miller and Mr. Carroll, we are so grateful for who you are and the way that you lead. And we offer congratulations and thanks for accepting the roles that you have now in leadership of the board for this year. It is clear to me and I assume to you as well that we are stepping into a new season and I so appreciate the kindness and empathy you show in a year of change. As I reflected on working on 26 days of prayer for our county and thinking through this time together there were

[00:30:26] several moments that I had tears in my eyes when I realized that when I came today Mr. Holland would not be in front of me. A person we all are so grateful for and saw his faith, his encouragement, his strength. And then with gratefulness, great respect, and some sadness, Dr. Casey is finishing up on us. And it has been a great gift to have your leadership for our county with the board.

[00:31:00] And we have appreciated what has been recognized by many, but we recognize, we appreciate, and are grateful for you. When I think of these parts of change in our leadership, it is clear to me that a new season is coming to Chesterfield. We've seen so much progress that you listed.

[00:31:20] Many new changes are coming, and I think the question is not if Chesterfield will change, but will we lead it well? We are praying for you, and we have the utmost confidence in our hearts and in your hearts and abilities that you will lead us through the change that is coming and necessary for us to grow. This year, our country celebrates 250 years as a nation.

[00:31:46] And as usual, Chesterfield County is way ahead of them because we've already celebrated 275. I think in God's grace, and I truly believe this, that God has always seemed to choose Chesterfield to lead the way for things that eventually need to come to our country. If you think about it, we are the home of many of the firsts of this nation. And we didn't earn it, but God chose humble people courageous to give birth to this country it began here before it went began any

[00:32:22] place else i really believe that god has chosen and continues to choose chesterfield to lead to bring what needs to be even before others in our nation or society recognize it and that's why this year as i earnestly pray for each of you the focus that i feel like god has put on my heart is the word appreciation. Appreciating the people and the moments that you will have in this upcoming year. May God show you the difference one person, one decision, and one prayer during

[00:33:01] fear or crisis can make, not only for Chesterfield, but for our nation and even generations to come. This past year, I got to spend some time reading up a little bit more on Chesterfield's history and its story of faith, how one moment, one person, one prayer in the midst of crisis impacted our nation in such a way that we still live in today. I don't know if you're aware of the following name, but this name is inscribed in a monument 50 steps away from where I'm standing.

[00:33:39] 50 steps away, the Reverend John Weatherford is mentioned on the monument to religious freedom that is right outside these doors. History tells us where that monument is is the exact place in 1773 that Reverend John Weatherford, a Baptist minister who was a man of prayer and of preaching the gospel, was imprisoned and set to pay fines he could not, along with six others, because he did not have the state Anglican approval to do so.

[00:34:14] Right near us, John Weatherford stayed for five months from June to October, and let's just think about how it feels in August in Chesterfield. He was one man who was stuck in one place, but he prayed and stayed a course that shared God's faithfulness instead of focusing on man's injustice. He made a choice that mattered.

[00:34:43] History will tell us that even when he was in prison, his congregation would come out every Sunday to hear him preach through the prison window. Before he would preach, he would stretch out his hands through the prison bars and shake hands with his congregants and others that would come. His preaching and the people's response outside the jail became a great sign of God doing something new in our county that God was doing in the nation. History tells us that as John Weatherford stood on these grounds, he would actually suffer because of what he did.

[00:35:23] History records that his hands were attacked with knives as he reached out his arms to greet people or while he was preaching. Other times he received scars from inside the jail when enemies would reach through the window to hurt or threaten him. Years later at his death, it is recorded an eyewitness confirmed he died with scars on his hands from the jail here in Chesterfield County.

[00:35:47] For five months, this is what John Weatherford experienced and endured, and he kept making a choice to pray and do good and all this would have continued except for one person ironically a lawyer and an anglican lawyer at that whose name happens to be patrick henry you see it was patrick henry who decided to take up john weatherford's case and eventually paid the reverend weatherford's remaining fines out of his own pocket patrick henry visited these grounds argued at the site

[00:36:25] of our original courthouse and fought for the right, for the gospel, and for justice. A historian later would recount about the intersection of Henry and Weatherford this statement, it is probable that the persecution and suffering of Elder John Weatherford stirred Patrick Henry's heart to contemplate his own relationship with Christ. Elder John, his prayers and his pain impacted Patrick Henry. A decade later, history would tell us this, the witness of Elder Weatherford sewed into Henry's heart would then be watered by the great revival that

[00:37:05] took place at Hampton-Sydney College in 1787. God grew his faith, and Henry wrote of his experience, I have had a deep Christian conversion. Not only did Patrick Henry, because of one man, experience God's plan and power to help lead a nation, but as quoted later on in history,

[00:37:27] It says, Chesterfield County, Virginia, played a significant role in the fight for religious freedom, particularly in the 1770s, when seven Baptist preachers, which include Weatherford, were arrested for refusing to buy license from the official National Anglican Church to preach.

[00:37:46] This struggle for religious freedom in Chesterfield was a key factor leading to the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, passed in 1786, which guaranteed religious freedom for all Virginians. Of course, it goes on to say this.

[00:38:03] James Madison carried the principles of that statute into the First Amendment. The language and logic of the First Amendment closely mirrors the Virginia statute ideas. That's right. One person in Chesterfield, Virginia, chose to pray and chose, in the midst of crisis and pain, to do God's will.

[00:38:28] And that literally helped shape a nation. I don't think Chesterfield has changed. I think that's still God's heart for Chesterfield. And I think there are several ways you exemplify something that the rest of our society needs to follow.

[00:38:45] May we continue to lead the way and not follow. May we be more than our society says we can be. May we be better than social media often wants us to be. And may we do things here first that the rest of the nation can learn from.

[00:39:04] And may it all begin because each one of us appreciate one prayer, one decision. That is why for this year, not only am I bringing you our annual resolution of prayer and thanksgiving, but included in all your packets is a 26 days of prayer for Chesterfield County, in which what I have done was outlined 26 of the 40 departments, and in it represented why it's God's heart that they do what they do, and offered a small way to pray for them and a scripture that represents the good work they do.

[00:39:41] That 26 days started yesterday. Today, guess who we're praying for? The Board of Supervisors. And so I would like to invite all of you and all of our leadership with these guides to each day, along with me, pray for all the men and women who do the work here in Chesterfield County.

[00:40:04] You'll have in your packets both an English guide and also one in Spanish as we recognize the gift of that community among us, many who are part of our church who are here today. In all of this, may each day God give you the grace to be one person who can make one decision and say one prayer that maybe one day will change more than we realize. I'm praying God will grant you a holy appreciation for the one

[00:40:40] person you talk to, the one decision you have to make, and may someday someone share how important that decision was. As Robert Louis Stevenson says, as you lead, don't just judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you sow. One person, one prayer, one moment. Thank you for letting me go a little into history for a moment. In this hope, we would like to declare our resolution of thanksgiving and prayer over you. I'm going to ask those who came for this if they

[00:41:19] would stand and join me in the moment of blessing. At our church, one of our traditions of blessing is just to raise a hand of peace and blessing over you. And I'm going to ask if our church and those who have joined us would do this.

[00:41:41] Whereas Cornerstone Assembly of God and many other Christians in our county are beginning this new year in prayer and fasting for God's blessing, protection, and will to be done in our families and our community. And whereas Jeremiah 29, 7 instructs God's people to seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you and to pray to the Lord on its behalf, whereas 1 Timothy 2, 1 through 4 says, I urge you then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone and those in authority, and whereas we honor the legacy

[00:42:20] of our beloved supervisor, Jim Holland, who was a great man of faith and believed in the power of prayer as he followed the Lord Jesus faithfully. Now, therefore, be it resolved on behalf of the Chesterfield citizens of our church this seventh day of January, 2026, the first meeting of the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors for the new year, that we are praying in the name of Jesus Christ for the blessing, wisdom, and encouragement of God for the Board of Supervisors, county administrator, senior leadership team, their families, so that they might honor God, his word, and be blessed with his love for all people

[00:42:58] from every background, language, and culture in our county. And be a furthermore resolve that during this Chesterfield 26 days of prayer, that together we should set aside time to pray for the blessing, wisdom, and strength of all of the men and women of every county government department who serve us. And in this, we should follow the call of 1 Timothy 2.8 to lift up holy hands in prayer without anger or disputing. And now with Thanksgiving, we bless you, declaring, may God grant you loving comfort for the places where

[00:43:33] you grieve and grow weary. May God grant you great wisdom to handle every challenge in the midst of others' pain and fears. And may God grant you brilliant compassion to lead our beloved community justly and beyond what our society thinks is possible. May God bring his hope and his peace to the individuals and families of our community through you. And may this all begin in your own homes. Remember the truth and grace of Jesus in all things. We are with you in prayer.

[00:44:05] and everybody said, amen. God bless you. Thank you, Pastor. Board members, any comments?

[00:44:27] Oh, go ahead. Go ahead, Jim. Go ahead. First off, we have a lot of fun with this, but a little ribbon because, you know, cornerstones in my district. My district's praying for all of you.

[00:44:49] What makes you think some of these people don't live in the other district? I'm just saying. I didn't say they didn't live there, that they all lived in Bermuda. I said that the church is in Bermuda. That being said, we don't have enough people in this county, in this country, praying for leaders, all leaders at all levels, and I know you all do.

[00:45:14] It means a lot to us. There's many times where we're having a rough day and we get a text from Pastor Franco, and I know it's on behalf of the church, that lifts us up at a time when we need it.

[00:45:30] And that doesn't happen often from a lot of other places. So thank you for your prayers. We covet them. We don't covet much, but we covet those prayers. And we can't thank you enough for praying for all of our departments, our praying for the, over the 26 days.

[00:45:55] It really does mean a lot. And for you to show up like you did tonight, it is really touching. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Engel.

[00:46:11] Mr. Carroll. This is a video of this particular part of the meeting that should probably be one of the ones that actually should make it to YouTube, right?

[00:46:27] This is the video that actually should be shown to the country. I actually think we should send it to the White House and everybody in Congress, too. Because if we had more of this in the communities across the country, maybe things would get done.

[00:46:49] I, you know, as being one who is extremely thankful for all the prayers, you know, God let me stay here, and I really think a lot of that has to do with the prayers from the community, and apparently has plans for me, I don't know what they are, but we'll see.

[00:47:14] But I really think that this is a very unique, and I've been around for a long time, and I've traveled all across the country in my capacity, and with the fraternity order police, and I don't know of anywhere else that does this, I really don't, I don't know anywhere locally in any of the other regional bodies that has this honor bestowed upon them by the community um and i really think um you all set the bar really high for the rest of the world and it is if and and you're right this chest is the leader on this i think and it's really something that

[00:47:51] needs to be shared and perhaps if we had more of this we'd have a whole lot more stability in our communities so i just want to say thank you all very much um i know i got a prayer today email and I responded back to it and Sean when you send our prayers they come at the most opportune times you have no idea so thank you and it's been an honor to be able to come to the church a couple of times this past year and we hope to be able to come to it again thank you Ms. Schneider I just want to thank you for your commitment

[00:48:30] to doing this every year showing up I know that it's late on a Wednesday night and it's quite apparent that this means as much to you and your parishioners and your church as it does to us and so thank you. Thank you for your prayers for the things that I've been going through this year with my daughter's accident and my mother-in-law passing and I think we've all gone through a lot this year and I was just looking through some of the text messages that I've received from you and so thank you so much for always

[00:49:10] keeping me in your prayers and bringing a prayer to me and my messages when I need it. So thank you. Dr. Hillett? Being a newest member on the board, one of the first things I heard was that you'll be calling me or texting me and to not be alarmed that it was good.

[00:49:43] And so I chuckle and say that because it has been good. And, you know, I really appreciate you reaching out And it was refreshing to have you say a few words to Mr. Holland's service and the comfort that you brought when you spoke.

[00:50:05] And that's the same comfort that I get when you text me. And I know we started out emailing and I was like, hey, here's my number. Because I knew that that's what you do is you reach out to us.

[00:50:21] So I just want to say thank you and glad to be within your circle to be prayed for. And just ask for continued support for you and prayers for you as you bring us comfort. And I hope that we have many years together to share the text messages and words of encouragement.

[00:50:47] So thank you so much. Thank you, Dr. Hilton. Some things were coming through while you were speaking, Pastor. First, thank you for the prayers to Cornerstone.

[00:51:03] Wow. Thank you for showing up this evening. Thank you for taking the time. It reminds me of a truth about spirit, which the spirit is in everyone, everything, everywhere, all the time.

[00:51:20] Everyone, everything, everywhere, all the time. when my wife and I came here from California, literally from one side of the country to the other, I asked Spirit, why are we here? Why are we here? And Pastor Franco, you reminded me of what Spirit said. And what Spirit said to me was that history began here. History began here,

[00:51:53] And your job is to find, even though this area has experienced history that we're not always proud of, that your job, Mark, is to find all the points of light and connect them together.

[00:52:12] And as you were going through, a really important history lesson is a reminder why I have fallen in love with Chesterfield, why I've fallen in love with this area.

[00:52:29] And it is because we need love. That's what it's about. And to continue to spread that and to see that in all of your hearts and to see that with all the prayers. And those moments when I know I feel alone and not sure what the next steps are.

[00:52:51] And my wife reminds me all the time, Mark, you're not alone. And it's a reminder that that's what you all do at Cornerstone and that we are truly never alone. Because spirit is in everything, everyone, all the time, everywhere, everywhere, all the time.

[00:53:12] And we appreciate that reminder. never underestimate the power of prayer so thank you thank you for you all coming out and for doing this each year um i speak we've all spoken to it how much it means to all of us so thank you very much thank you for all you do madam clerk mr chair we need a motion to adjourn to the regularly

[00:53:47] scheduled board of supervisors meeting on january 28 2026 at 2 p.m in room 502 of the county administration building. Thank you. Before I take a motion, I just want to take a moment and I just want to ask the board if there's anything else that we need to talk about or is there anything when folks mind that's just coming through. Mr. Chair, in my brevity of my words, I meant to

[00:54:22] just give thanks to my wife because and I'm thankful to your wife for this year coming up because I know the time that it takes to do this job and the extra things that you have to do.

[00:54:38] And I couldn't have done it without her support. And I know you wouldn't be able to do it without your wife's support. No, there's just no way. Thank you. Anyone else on the board? Mr. Chair. Sir. I just want to say thank you to the board for the appointment to the vice chair position.

[00:54:58] I look forward to working collaboratively with each one of you again this year. I think that this board is very unique. and that we do work very well together. And hence, when you talked earlier about the 50 votes on almost everything, finding consensus, we try and do truly what we feel is best for the community, no matter what the issue is.

[00:55:23] And each one of us brings a different viewpoint and perspective to that, which really helps us to get behind something and try and make the right decision. So I just want to thank you to the board, again, for your confidence It's in my ability to be vice chair this year.

[00:55:41] And thank you again for the church for coming out. You all are awesome. Any other board members? Could I get a motion to adjourn? So moved. So moved. I'll take a second. All right.

[00:55:57] All in favor? Aye. We stand adjourned.

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