Chesterfield County, Virginia | Committee on the Future

On November 19, 2008 the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors recognized the Committee on the Future for twenty years of service to Chesterfield County. The resolution of recognition and a pamphlet highlighting the first two decades are available as a PDF and require Adobe® Acrobat® Reader to view and print.

Chesterfield County uses a unique tool to help meet future challenges. The Committee on the Future is a permanent body authorized with adoption of the 1987 Chesterfield County Charter. It is composed of ten county residents, two from each of the five magisterial districts. The committee members serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors. Forty-five different citizens have been appointed over the course of twenty years; some past members have gone on to serve as planning commissioners, school board members and county supervisors.

Purpose

As authorized in the charter, “the committee shall prepare reports and make recommendations concerning changes in governmental structure, revisions to fiscal and land use planning, and any other matters concerning approaches to meeting the governmental needs of the people of Chesterfield in the future.” The purpose of the committee, as stated in its bylaws, is: “to forecast comprehensive, long-range conditions in the county; to make recommendations for resolution of issues in the long range; to provide information designed to guide elected officials toward a realistic long-range plan for Chesterfield County in the 21 st century; and to expand beyond present-day limitations, presenting a view not necessarily bound by what will be, but embracing what can be.”

To accomplish these things, the committee researches issues and prepares reports. The Committee selects topics that will likely impact the county’s quality of life twenty, thirty or more years ahead. There is citizen representation and citizen input throughout the report process. Past reports have focused on human services and development issues.

Study Process

The reports follow a seven-step study process beginning with selecting a topic and developing a work plan. The topic is thoroughly researched and the scope of the report is defined. Issues pertinent to the topic are studied further before recommending strategies to address future challenges. The committee presents the preliminary work to county departments, to residents (through constituency meetings in each of the magisterial districts) and to various special interest groups. The final draft of the report is reviewed by county departments, and then edited by the committee. After presentation to the Board of Supervisors, the report is distributed throughout the county and state. All recommendations are reviewed annually to determine the degree of implementation.

2009 Meeting Schedule

REGULAR MEETINGS
2nd and 4th Mondays
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Room 502, Lane B. Ramsey administration building

Reports To Date

Green Infrastructure (2005): Protecting Resources for Future Generations

This report is based on a vision of the residents of Chesterfield County enjoying a high quality of life in attractive urban, suburban and rural neighborhoods interspersed with public and private natural areas. All development is designed with nature, protecting cultural and natural resources for the benefit of the economy, the environment and the community. Interconnected greenways and waterways enable Chesterfield residents to enjoy the beauties of the land, the air and the waters during all daily activities. To accomplish this vision, the Committee on the Future developed recommendations and strategies for consideration and implementation of a green-infrastructure plan. The mission of the committee's report is to enhance the quality of life in Chesterfield County by incorporating a green-infrastructure plan into the planning process as a critical public commitment to ensure social, economic and environmental benefits for present and future generations.

This report is available as a PDF and requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader to download and print.

The Aging of the Population (2003): Choices, Options, and Benefits of Aging

The mission of this report was to enhance the lives of all Chesterfield County citizens. It offers suggestions that address the needs and opportunities of senior citizens in the areas of health, information services, mobility, education, social and leisure time, finances and housing. The body of the report has three main sections dealing with INFORMATION, INDEPENDENCE, and INVOLVEMENT. The committee believes that informed citizens would remain independent and involved for a longer part of their lives.

This report is available as a PDF and requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader to view and print.

Youth Development (1999): Today's Youth Tomorrow's Leaders

The primary influences on youth fall into six categories, which form the subject areas of the report. The categories are parents, other youth, schools, community-based organizations, businesses, and the local government. The goal of the report is to have the public and private sectors develop a strong new ethic. Our community as a whole must recognize that young people are a priority, that they can be an important resource for the community, and that our collective obligation is to work for the fullest development of our young people.

This report is available as a PDF and requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader to view and print.

Neighborhood Preservation (1995): Strategies Now for Success in the Future

By preserving and improving our neighborhoods, the government is able to more effectively utilize its resources, businesses have access to active commercial centers, and residents continue to enjoy a high quality of life. The major areas addressed in this report are community involvement through neighborhood organizations, the impact of area schools in defining and strengthening a community, the need for residents to feel safe in their neighborhoods, and the preservation, rehabilitation, and design of our neighborhoods.

Economic Development (1993): Strategies for Success

Chesterfield County’s existing quality of life cannot be preserved or improved without addressing the financial security of its future. In order to formulate strategies to improve economic development and the financial state of the county, the committee identified attributes businesses seek when selecting a new locality. Of these attributes, the committee selected as the focus of its report education, development policies, and human services.

1990 VISION 2020 (1991)

In VISION 2020, the Committee sought — through focus groups, leadership retreats and individual interviews — the input of a wide range of citizens from both county and region. All of the information and data collection for VISION 2020 centered around four topical areas: Education, Natural Environment, Transportation and Government Structure. These four areas served as a frame of reference for citizen input, and the committee synthesized the information into its recommendations for action.

Chesterfield County Committee on the Future
P.O. Box 40
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Telephone: (804) 796-7079
FAX: (804) 717-6297

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County Administrator's Office

Committee on the Future

Celebrating 20 years of service to Chesterfield County