Stafford County’s George L. Gordon, Jr. Government Center is set to undergo major renovations following a unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
The $1 million project will expand and modernize the building’s main lobby and make critical upgrades to the Board of Supervisors’ meeting chambers. The Board approved a work order with Centennial Contractors Enterprises, Inc. to carry out the renovations, which are expected to take about eight months and conclude by the end of the year.
Originally constructed in 1990, the Government Center at 1300 Courthouse Road serves as the hub for numerous county departments and state-supported offices. While individual offices have seen updates over the years, the main entryway and lobby have remained largely untouched since the building opened.
“This project will improve both the safety and functionality of the building for staff and visitors,” said officials in the agenda summary. “It also reflects recommendations from the County’s physical security study conducted in 2021.”
Planned renovations include extending the lobby space, creating a new Customer Information Center, and adding an enclosed workspace for County volunteers and sheriff’s deputies. Other improvements include new floors, lighting, and HVAC systems, along with ADA-compliant upgrades and enhanced security features such as exterior bollards.
Inside the Board Chambers, work will focus on replacing flooring and refurbishing the audiovisual room’s HVAC unit to ensure continued comfort and performance during public meetings. These improvements are scheduled to occur during the Board’s summer recess to minimize disruption.
The Government Center will remain open throughout construction, and County staff will coordinate public signage and communications with the Community Engagement team.
The renovations are part of the County’s FY2023 budget, which included $2.53 million in funding for this multi-phase capital improvement project. The approved first phase totals just over $1 million.
A shakeup is underway in Stafford County politics. Longtime Falmouth District Supervisor Meg Bohmke announced she will not seek reelection, while School Board Member Maya Guy declared her candidacy for the Aquia District seat on the Board of Supervisors.
During the April 1, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting, Bohmke, who has served 12 years on the board and four years previously on the school board, said she is stepping away from public office.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
The Texas-based travel center giant Buc-ee’s is moving ahead with plans to build its first Virginia location in Stafford County. It has submitted formal requests to rezone nearly 35 acres of land to pave the way for a massive fuel and retail complex off Interstate 95.
The proposed Buc-ee’s would sit near the intersection of Courthouse Road (Route 630) and Austin Ridge Drive, just east west of I-95 Exit 140. Plans submitted to the county show a 74,000-square-foot convenience store and gas station with 120 fuel pumps, 24 future EV charging stations, and dozens of bus/RV parking spaces.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Dozens of Stafford County residents packed the chambers Tuesday night during a special-called meeting of the Board of Supervisors to weigh in on the proposed $1.015 billion Fiscal Year 2026 budget — and the tax increase that may come with it.
The meeting featured a detailed budget presentation by Chief Financial Officer Andrea Light, followed by a public hearing where residents delivered emotional appeals both for and against the proposed increase in the county’s real estate tax rate.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
The cost of Stafford County’s long-planned courthouse replacement project has increased significantly, with county officials acknowledging major changes in scope. During the March 11, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting, staff presented the latest budget updates, revealing the financial impact of the courthouse expansion.
“There definitely is a project cost increase with this courthouse,” said County Administrator Bill Ashton. “This is a new full court that will be across the street. So there is a cost increase on this, but the timing looks like it should be relatively the same.”
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
Concerns Over Health and Safety
Woof Houze, located at 501 Musselman Road, has been a key facility for dog training and behavioral rehabilitation. Owner Adia Washington and several supporters spoke at a Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting on March 4, 2025, detailing health concerns among staff, customers, and animals due to prolonged exposure to airborne silica dust.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
As Stafford County prepares its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, officials and citizens alike are raising concerns over the mounting financial burden of a state-mandated tax exemption for disabled veterans. The issue, discussed at the March 4, 2025, Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting, has sparked debate over the program's sustainability and impact on county taxpayers.
Mayausky: "A Worthy Program, But an Unfunded Mandate"
Stafford County Commissioner of Revenue Scott Mayausky detailed the rapid growth of the veteran tax relief program, which has significantly expanded since its inception in 2011.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
Stafford County Administrator Bill Ashton presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) budget to the Board of Supervisors on March 4, 2025.
The budget, which takes effect on July 1, 2025, prioritizes school funding, public safety, and community services while addressing challenges such as population growth and state-mandated tax relief programs. The All-Funds Budget totals $1,015,097,345.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will address two key issues at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 5 p.m.: unveiling the County Administrator’s proposed FY2026 budget and the first official step toward the development of Musselman Park.
First Look at the County Administrator’s Proposed FY2026 Budget
One key item on the agenda is the presentation of the County Administrator’s proposed FY2026 operating budget. This proposal will outline funding priorities for county services, infrastructure, public safety, and education.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
Budget Breakdown & Funding Challenges
The $503.1 million budget represents an increase of $8.3 million in state revenue based on the General Assembly’s budget, bringing the division’s total anticipated increase in state funding to $18.9 million. However, despite the added funds, the projected funding shortfall now stands at $18.3 million.
