Locals Only Fredericksburg – Stafford

Schools

Could your child walk farther to school? Stafford considers using fewer buses, explores efficiencies

By Uriah Kiser
Kindergarten students get off the bus at Park Ridge Elementary School on "transition day," Monday, August 11, 2025. [Photo: Stafford County Public Schools]

Stafford County Public Schools is considering expanding non-transportation zones (NTZs), areas where no bus service is provided, and families are responsible for getting students to school.

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Stafford

Buc-ee’s Hearing Deferred Again at Stafford Planning Commission, Stage Set for Other Zoning Debates

By Uriah Kiser

A hearing on the proposed Buc-ee’s travel center has been deferred for a second time at the Stafford County Planning Commission, shifting the public hearing from January to March 25, 2026.

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Stafford

Your Water Bill Could Rise: Stafford Advances Rate Increases While Data Centers Help Pay for New Pipes

By Uriah Kiser

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized advertising public hearings on March 3, 2026, for proposed adjustments to water, sewer, and reclaimed water rates, including new fees designed to recover costs from data center-related infrastructure while introducing equity measures for commercial users.

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Stafford

Virginia’s Unfunded Mandates Drive Stafford’s Proposed 6-Cent Real Estate Tax Increase, Officials Say

By Uriah Kiser

On March 3, 2026, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted 5-2 to advertise a real estate tax rate of $0.985 per $100 of assessed value for calendar year 2026 — an increase of six cents from the current $0.9236 rate — plus a modest rise in the fire and emergency services levy to $0.014 from $0.0131.

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Stafford

Stafford Shields Data Centers from Tax Hike, Targets Homeowners

By Uriah Kiser

While advertising a six-cent increase in the real estate tax rate to $0.985 per $100 of assessed value for calendar year 2026—potentially adding about $430 annually to the average household bill—the Stafford County Board of Supervisors rejected a proposal to raise the personal property tax rate on data center computer equipment and peripherals from $1.25 to $2.50 per $100 of assessed value during its March 3, 2026 meeting.

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Stafford

Schools Seek More Funds Amid Proposed Homeowner Tax Hikes

By Uriah Kiser
Photo: Stafford County Public Schools

Stafford County Public Schools presented a request for $18.6 million in new local funding to the Board of Supervisors during a February 26, 2026, joint meeting in Stafford County, highlighting needs for three new schools and staff compensation amid low state support and rising taxpayer pressures.

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Stafford

Pay Competition Hinders Stafford School Safety Staffing

By Uriah Kiser
Decatur [Photo: Stafford County Government]

Stafford County Sheriff David Decatur told county supervisors that 10 of 17 elementary school protection officer positions are vacant, despite full staffing for middle and high school resource officers, as regional pay disparities complicate recruitment.

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Stafford

Stafford Supervisors Consider Bringing Back BPOL Business Tax

By Uriah Kiser
Stafford County Administrator Bill Ashton presents the proposed FY2027 budget to the Stafford County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 17, 2026, at the Government Center.

Stafford County supervisors reviewed a proposed $45 million increase in the FY 2027 budget during a work session, as state mandates, rising costs, and collection challenges pressure local finances.

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Traffic

Triple Reverse-Peak Service Planned for VRE Lines

By Uriah Kiser
The Woodbridge VRE station [Photo: VRE]

Virginia Railway Express CEO Katie Choe presented an ambitious plan Feb. 20 to transform VRE into a full regional rail system by 2030 with tripled reverse-peak trains, expanded daily service, and robust weekend operations.

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Stafford

Harris Teeter Planned for North Stafford

By Uriah Kiser

Stafford County leaders approved the sale of the former Anne E. Moncure Elementary School property in North Stafford, clearing a major step toward bringing Harris Teeter to the area.

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