AGENDA DATE: 11/4/2026
TITLE:
Title
Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company Capital Project Loan Request
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Request Board support for loan agreement for Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company’s building improvement project.
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Sumner, Herrick, Bohdan, Bowman, Rakes
PRESENTER (S): Sumner, Rakes
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Established in 1966, the Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company (Station 4) provides fire and emergency medical services as part of Albemarle County’s coordinated Fire and Rescue System, serving the northern portion of the County.
Through the Fiscal Year 2025 Community Non-Profit Capital Request Process, the Board of Supervisors appropriated $800,000 to support the renovation and expansion of the station. The Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company is providing a 100% match for the capital renovation and expansion project ($800,000). providing a project budget of $1,600,000. The project includes additional bunk rooms, bathrooms, lockers, and gear storage areas to ensure adequate living and working space for firefighters.
In August 2026, the Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company (EVFC) commenced its building renovation and expansion project. The total updated construction cost is $1,974,675. With a project budget of $1,600,000 there is an additional need of $374,675 to complete the project. EVFC is requesting assistance from the County to complete the project.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission - To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all community members through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds.
DISCUSSION: The Virginia Code § 15.2-954 grants counties, cities, and towns the authority to issue loans to volunteer fire stations. The Board of Supervisors has utilized this authority before, for example, it approved a conditional donation and loan to the North Garden Volunteer Fire Station in July of 2022 for a $2.5M capital project that renovated and expanded the station. The Board of Supervisors approved a conditional $585,364 donation and a 0% interest loan up to $650,000 over 20 years.
EVFC is requesting a 0% interest loan up to $375,000 to be repaid over 20 years utilizing non-County sources. The loan closing and ratification shall commence upon project completion or drawdown of maximum loan amount, whichever shall come first. Key terms of the loan agreement provide that, if EVFC dissolves or is dissolved, the County will assume EVFC’s position as the second holder in the right of first refusal for the property. EVFC will also agree not to encumber the property with any third-party interests and must remain in good standing within the County’s Coordinated Fire and Rescue System.
BUDGET IMPACT: The funding source for the loan will be from the General Fund’s fund balance. The proposed use of the General Fund balance will not reduce the County’s 10% unassigned fund balance or 2% Budget Stabilization Reserve. However, it does reduce the amount of undesignated funds that would be available for future uses. These funds would be replenished as EVFC repays the loan.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt the Resolution (Attachment A) authorizing the County Executive to execute the loan agreement with the Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Resolution