Chesterfield County, Virginia's Weekly E-Newsletter |
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Stay Connected with Chesterfield! |
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Scroll to the bottom for more helpful links and resources to stay up to date on all things Chesterfield! |
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Dr. Samuel's COVID-19 Holiday Guidance |
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In order to contain the spread of COVID-19, we all need to take extra precautions during the holidays this year. In this video, Chesterfield Health District Director Dr. Alexander Samuel offers guidance on how to celebrate this holiday season while protecting the health of ourselves, our loved ones and our community.
For more information about COVID-19 and the county's response, view the information guide near the bottom of this newsletter.
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Mental Health Support Services: Season of Hope |
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This brochure, available on the department's webpage, offers a wide variety of resources and tools including holiday health tips, medication safety tips, contact information for local and national organizations.
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Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
Seeks to Amend FY21 Budget
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A combination of cost saving measures, higher sales tax revenue and accelerated residential growth is permitting the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors to reinvest in the county’s workforce through a series of amendments to the FY21 budget.
The Board of Supervisors has set a public hearing regarding the budget amendments during its final board meeting of the year on Dec. 16.
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The FY21 budget was first approved in April. However, the Board of Supervisors shaved roughly $52 million from the original proposed budget through a series of measures that included furloughs and hiring freezes because of the economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, a rise in local sales tax receipts, continued robust residential development and early cost saving measures in April provided additional revenue capacity and the Board of Supervisors is planning to invest that additional revenue into the county’s workforce.
More specifically, the Board of Supervisors is planning to dedicate $13.5 million to address public safety pay – the largest investment to public safety in the county’s history.
If approved, the measure would make starting salaries for Chesterfield Police, Sheriff and Fire/EMS employees some of the most competitive in the state. It also would establish a new step plan for public safety career advancements and eradicate pay compression for Chesterfield Police, Sheriff and Fire/EMS.
Proposed increases to county public safety compensation are part of a pay study conducted earlier this year at the request of the Board of Supervisors and county administrators.
Phase one of the pay increases for all three public safety agencies would begin in January 2021, with phase two of the pay implementation plan set to launch around April 2021 to address step increases and pay compression.
Aside from addressing compensation for public safety workers, other proposed FY21 budget amendments highlight additional investment in the county’s government workforce that include:
- A two percent merit raise.
- Increased investment in existing training and career development.
- Lifting all departmental hiring freezes.
- Dedicated resources for new equipment and infrastructure.
Furthermore, the proposed amendments also call for hiring 10 full-time librarians, recruiting a new planning assistant director and increases to the county’s custodial contract to keep pace with COVID-19 protocols.
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Be on the Lookout for Jury Duty Phone Scams |
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The Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office is warning residents to beware jury duty phone scams victimizing residents.
During this scam, the scammer:
- Pretends to be a member of the Sheriff's Office
- Claims that you failed to appear for jury duty
- Threatens that a warrant will be issued for your arrest if you do not provide payment
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Please remember that this is a scam, and the Sheriff's Office will never contact you to ask you for money. If you are unsure whether you are speaking with an actually Chesterfield County employee, inform the caller that you will hang up and call them back. Then, dial 804-748-1261 to contact the Sheriff's Office or 804-748-1241 to contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
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Avoid Utilities Scams this Holiday Season |
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As part of Utilities Scam Awareness Week (Nov. 16-20), Dominion Energy issued the following advice to customers in the face of an expected surge in utilities scams during the holiday season:
Spot a scam:
- Dominion Energy will never threaten immediate service disconnection if payment information is not provided over the phone.
- The company will never ask for payment using money orders, prepaid debit or gift cards.
- Company employees will never request to enter a customer's home without proper identification, an appointment or a reported emergency. Additionally, employees do not ask for payment in person.
Outsmart a scammer:
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Hang up. If a customer is unsure if a call is valid, even if Dominion Energy's number shows on the caller ID, they should immediately hang up and never provide personal information.
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Verify. Customers can verify their account status, balances or due dates by signing into the Dominion Energy app, checking their online account, or by calling the number located on their energy bill.
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Ignore. Customers should not respond to suspicious emails or text messages or click on links or attachments prompting energy bill payment.
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Report. Tell local authorities about suspicious calls, texts and emails.
Connect with the company:
- Access many payment options conveniently 24/7 by signing into the Dominion Energy app or online account.
- Call the number located on the energy bill for account questions. Company representatives will work with customers to determine the best payment option for their unique situation. Both short-term payment extensions and long-term payment plans are available.
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Learn about Dominion Energy's additional contributions to its energy assistance programs and support of various community partners to help customers facing financial hardship.
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CVWMA Collections Delayed Due to Thanksgiving |
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In a news release, the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) announced the Thanksgiving holiday will delay their Thursday and Friday collections:
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This Week: Friendship, Trade and Feast |
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From 1607-1622, the English and Powhatan people had moments of what the English called “Thanksgiving” characterized by trade, gift giving and the sharing of food and drink. |
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On Saturday, Nov. 28, Henricus Historical Park is hosting Friendship, Trade and Feast. During the event, several colonial English and Powhatan Indian recipes will be faithfully recreated by Henricus interpreters and volunteers. In addition, visitors will observe how food was prepared and examine typical items that would have been exchanged between the two cultures. If you enjoy the smell of wood fires, iron-pot cooking over hot coals, and clay oven bread baking, come to this annual autumn event!
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In addition to historical programming, beer will be available for purchase from Dancing Kilt Brewery as part of the History by the Pint series starting at noon.
Friendship, Trade and Feast runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets cost $9 for adults, $7 for children ages 3 to 12 and are free for Henricus members.
This year, Henricus is partnering with Housing Families First, a local nonprofit with the mission to provide families experiencing homelessness with the tools to achieve housing stability. Henricus is accepting donations for *new* cleaning and toiletry items during this event:
- Hand soap
- Bar soap
- Detergent
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Masks
- Hand sanitizer
- All-purpose cleaners
- Sponges
- Floor cleaner
For more information about the event, visit the event page. To learn more about Henricus Historical Park's COVID-19 procedures, visit www.henricus.org.
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Chesterfield County Public Schools Updates |
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Chesterfield Education Foundation to Virtually Honor Five Chesterfield County Public Schools Alumni with 2020 BRAVO! Awards
Nov. 18, 2020: A year ago during the Chesterfield Education Foundation’s (CEF) largest attended Bravo! Awards Gala, honorees were sharing their personal and inspirational stories of how a Chesterfield County Public Schools education contributed to launching them on their path to success. This year’s celebration on Thursday, Nov. 19, will look a little different due to the COVID-19 world-wide pandemic.
The 2020 Virtual Bravo! Awards celebration will be just as heartfelt and inspiring as it has been in the past, but instead of filling the James River Ballroom at the DoubleTree by Hilton with 400 guests, recipients will be honored in an intimate, in-person banquet while friends, family and the public can attend via a virtual setting.
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Meet Lilo!
Lilo is a reserved pup, but she's very observant, curious and has to check everything out. She has a little bit of anxiety being here in the shelter, and she is hoping to find some comfort soon in a new forever home.
As she has gotten to know us, Lilo has begun to open up, but she maintains a calm demeanor. She enjoys laying around taking naps on the couch as well as spending time outdoors trotting around the yard and going on walks. Because of her timidity, we feel it is best that if she goes to a home children, the children be 15 years of age or older. We tested Lilo with cats and she seemed to do well through the cage. She LOVES other dogs and being around them helps bring her out of her shell.
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Lilo is a Chow mix around 3 years old and weighs 63 pounds. Animal #589765
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County Response to COVID-19 |
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Other important information and updates on resources for Virginians can be found at:
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COVID-19 Updates from Virginia Gov. Northam |
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Governor Northam Signs Revised State Budget That Makes Key Investments, Provides Critical Relief During COVID-19 Pandemic
Nov. 18, 2020: "Governor Ralph Northam today signed House Bill 5005, Virginia’s revised biennial budget. The Governor called the General Assembly into special session on August 18 and has worked with legislative leaders to enact a spending plan that protects key priorities, preserves the Commonwealth’s financial options, and addresses critical challenges that Virginians are facing amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic."
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Chesterfield Health Department Free
COVID-19 Testing in November and December
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As part of a statewide push to increase testing across the commonwealth, the Chesterfield Health Department is hosting free COVID-19 testing events in the months of November and December.
The free indoor, walk-up testing events will occur on the following days and locations:
November Testing Date
Monday: Nov. 30 – 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Second Baptist Church
5100 West Hundred Road
December Testing Dates
Mondays: Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28 – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Second Baptist Church
5100 West Hundred Road
Tuesdays: Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – 10 a.m. to noon
Walmsley United Methodist Church
2950 Walmsley Blvd.
Wednesdays: Dec. 2, 9, 16, 30 – 10 a.m. to noon
St. Augustine’s Catholic Church
4400 Beulah Road
Thursdays: Dec. 3, 10, 17, 31
Walmsley United Methodist Church – 10 a.m. to noon
2950 Walmsley Blvd.
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Faith and Family Center – 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
7900 Walmsley Blvd.
Fridays: Dec. 4, 11, 18 – 10 a.m. to noon
Second Baptist Church
5100 West Hundred Road
Saturdays: Dec. 5, 12, 19 – 10 a.m. to noon
Chesterfield Health Department
Smith-Wagner Building Multi-Purpose Room
9501 Lucy Corr Circle
No reservation is necessary. Additional testing events are pending and will be announced once finalized.
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Learn More About Your District |
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