Albemarle County has released its Fiscal Year 2026 Strategic Plan Execution Analysis Report (SPEAR), marking its third year of reporting significant achievements and continued commitment to community priorities. The report details progress across public safety, economic development, infrastructure, education, affordable housing, and workforce excellence over the past year, aligned with the goals outlined in the FY24-28 Strategic Plan.

The results demonstrate that, while the county has much to celebrate, it is also committed to confronting areas for improvement as it continues the important work of fully realizing the vision of the FY24–28 Strategic Plan. The FY26 findings highlight meaningful progress across core priority areas, including public safety and climate action, workforce stability, community resilience, and economic development. 

The report reflects a year of substantial momentum toward long-term goals, strengthened by major investments, improved performance indicators, and continued accountability in managing public resources. 

This progress report underscores the county’s commitment to improving the quality of life for all residents through strategic planning, community engagement, and cross-departmental collaboration. The report showcases key metrics and success stories across various initiatives, reflecting the collective efforts of the Board of Supervisors, County staff, and community partners.  

The county’s Strategic Plan serves as a roadmap that helps guide decisions and actions to meet the needs of the community. This year’s report highlights steady gains across public safety, economic development, affordable housing, climate action, infrastructure, workforce stabilization, and community resilience. These accomplishments result from a collaborative approach that unites the efforts of the Board of Supervisors and County staff.

Here are a few of the report’s notable highlights:

• Public Safety: Emergency response times are improving, with 96% of rural Fire Rescue calls and over 90% of child and adult protective service referrals met on time. We also launched our first independent Emergency Management Office. 
• Economic Growth: Major investments like AstraZeneca’s $4.5 billion facility and Afton Scientific’s expansion are bringing hundreds of new jobs. We’re also supporting more affordable housing, with over 2,500 new units since 2019 and nearly 2,900 more in the works. 
• Community & Environment: We held a successful Climate Summit for local students, restored Biscuit Run Stream, and expanded invasive species management to 128 acres of parkland. Our climate projects are cutting greenhouse gas emissions and meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup goals. 
• Better Infrastructure: We built over 6,000 feet of new sidewalks and paths, improved public transit, and made our website more accessible. New parks and recreation projects, like the Darden Towe pickleball courts, are open for everyone to enjoy. 
• Education & Workforce: New schools and career academies are nearly complete, and over 110 County employees received job training this year. 
• County Services: Employee turnover is down to 5%, and new digital tools are making County services faster and more efficient. 

The FY24-28 Strategic Plan serves as a guiding vision for Albemarle County, setting clear goals and priorities that reflect the needs and aspirations of the community. It is an essential tool for resource allocation, performance measurement, and ensuring that the county remains accountable and transparent to its residents. By tracking and reporting on the progress of these goals, the county can make informed decisions that drive continuous improvement and foster a culture of excellence.  

The FY2026 report and all SPEAR metrics are available at albemarle.org.