ELECTION 2023: Brookland District Supervisor – Dan Schmitt (Republican) vs. Stephen Rast (Democrat)

Editor's note: The Henrico Citizen posed the same 10 questions to every candidate for the Henrico Board of Supervisors and is publishing their answers in Q&A format, along with previews of each race, on an individual race-by-race basis. Candidates' responses appear in alphabetical order according to last name.

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The race for Brookland District supervisor matches incumbent Republican Dan Schmitt (who first won a special election for the seat in 2018 and then a full four-year term the following year) against Democratic challenger Stephen Rast.

Schmitt is the owner of RMC Events, Inc., an events management company based in Hanover. Rast is a civil engineer employed as a plan review engineer for the Henrico County Department of Public Works’ construction division.

Schmitt has championed his fiscal discipline and focus on public safety efforts, as well as his work to provide necessary funding for the public school system, enhance recreational opportunities and expand the county’s sidewalk network. He serves as the chairman of Richmond Region Tourism for nearly four years, at a time when the county has built the new Henrico Sports and Events Center and a private developer is planning a 17,000-seat arena at the new GreenCity development at Parham Road and I-95.

During his five years in office, Schmitt has been part of a board that has lowered the county’s real estate tax from 87 cents per $100 of assessed value to 85 cents and also has provided an anticipated $76 million in real estate and personal property tax credits to homeowners and vehicle owners in the county, as an attempt to counter rapidly rising assessments.

Rast has made implementation of more sidewalks a focal point of his campaign, along with a push for smart and sustainable growth and efforts to ensure clean water. He has cited his professional knowledge and experience as a civil engineer as providing him with the background necessary to ensure that growth occurs with proper planning and not in a way that will overburden roads and schools.

Rast began his career in the private sector but said he chose to move to the public sector so that he could have a more significant impact on his community.

To date in 2023, Schmitt has raised just more than $113,00, including 67 individual cash contributions of $100 or more, totaling about $75,000, and 20 in-kind contributions totaling nearly $35,000. Among the former are four developers or development companies (Wilton Companies, Marcus M. Weinstein, Home Builders Association of Virginia-Richmond and Clear Springs Development LLC) that gave a combined $36,000. The majority of the in-kind donations (about $25,000) came from the company Schmitt owns, RMC Events, Inc., and from Schmitt himself. Another $9,000 came from Wilton Companies, in the form of donated office space.

Schmitt had a balance of nearly $49,000 as of Sept. 30, according to filings compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project.

Rast has raised a total of just more than $10,500 this calendar year, including about $4,000 in cash contributions (the largest three being $500 donations from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local 666; Jackson E. Reasor, Jr.; and Margaret A. Thomas). He also reported $4,200 in in-kind contributions from Sharad C. Tandale for the construction of a website.

Rast had a balance of just more than $2,100 as of Sept. 30, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Rast has criticized Schmitt for what he believes is a failure to adhere to a 2018 campaign promise Schmitt made to cancel all contracts between RMC Events and Henrico County government and public schools if elected supervisor.

“I believe Mr. Schmitt's position on the board while signing contracts to his own business is a conflict of interest, and breaks the promise he previously made to the people of Henrico County,” Rast wrote in an email to the Citizen.

But in explanations to the Citizen, first in 2019 and then again this week, Schmitt has described the situation as a “triple win” for the community, school system and his employees.

After he won the special election in 2018, Schmitt did cancel the small contracts his company held to provide event staffing and management services for Henrico’s Recreation and Parks department but learned he couldn’t cancel an existing contract with the school system, which held the sole ability to do so. That contract, to provide unarmed security officials for high school football and basketball games at Henrico Schools, was a one-year agreement for four additional renewable years, the third of which (and 15th overall year during which RMC had provided the services for the school system) began July 1, 2019.

In light of that, Schmitt said he opted to take the profits from his company’s work for the school system each year (which amounted to about 11%) and donate them to the Henrico Education Foundation, which he did initially in 2019 by making a $5,000 donation. Between Jan. 1, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2022, RMC worked 394 events for the school system and received a total of just more than $94,000 in payment (an average of about $238 per event), according to records from Henrico County. RMC made two additional donations to the HEF, Schmitt told the Citizen – one for $5,000 in 2021 and one for $5,500 last year and intends to continue making them at the end of each year during which it performs work for the school system. (No donation was made during 2020, Schmitt said, because the COVID-19 pandemic ended school events for about a year.)

Schmitt also removed himself from the bidding process after initially taking offbice. He has said that his company will continue to bid on work for the school system, which is not directly under the purview of the board of supervisors, and that if it is the lowest and most responsible bidder, he believes the result is a win for his employees, the school system, the community, and the HEF.

“Sharon [Schmitt’s wife] and I decided that we wanted to protect our staff's ability to work these opportunities within their community,” Schmitt told the Citizen, “but that we wanted to be abundantly clear about our commitment to the residents of this county, and we committed to donate the proceeds from this work back to the schools during my time in service, ultimately providing service to the county via the HCPS agreement for simply the hard costs of staffing the events.”

RMC Events’ current contract with the school system expires Aug. 22, 2024, and the system has three one-year renewal options at its discretion after that.

LEARN MORE

Dan Schmitt’s campaign website

Stephen Rast’s campaign website

Virginia Department of Elections – Citizen Portal

Map of Henrico’s magisterial districts

Register to vote

Henrico Office of the General Registrar and Electoral Board

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1. What is the most important issue facing your district?

Rast – The main complaint I hear when talking to voters is how Henrico County doesn’t have enough sidewalks. Whether it's accessing schools, grocery stores, restaurants, or just the local park, walking anywhere feels completely unviable here in Henrico County. I personally live within half a mile of two elementary schools and two public parks, but I am unable to walk to any of these community spaces. I am happy the county is making an effort to address this, but as a civil engineer with a background in transportation, I have criticisms of the progress I have seen so far. My biggest concern are places where pedestrian paths are placed directly against the travel lane for motor vehicles, such as on Hungary Road. Walking less than five feet from cars driving 50+ mph is very uncomfortable and risks potentially fatal accidents with inattentive drivers. Pedestrians and motor vehicles don’t mix. If Henrico County wants to properly provide pedestrian access to its residents, we’re going to need a better plan for how actual people will use these sidewalks.

Schmitt – Key issues within the Brookland District span education, public safety, roadway and pedestrian safety, stormwater management, sensible development, and recreational amenities among others. The priority often varies with each resident whom I represent. My consistent priority is ensuring the safety of the people I serve. In Brookland, my efforts have centered on enhancing public safety from multiple angles, two of which I’ve highlighted here:

1. Supporting local public safety personnel, ensuring they have the necessary resources. This commitment is reflected in the competitive starting wages we now lead the region with, the establishment of the new Fire Station (Fire Station No. 20), and the constant upgrading of our apparatus fleet that our residents can visibly see as more of the new red units hit the streets.
2. Creating safer environments for residents to traverse whether by vehicle, foot, or bicycle. Over the past five years, efforts have been made to improve road safety and extend sidewalks and shared use pathways by more than 15 miles added and another 43 miles funded and programmed. Since my election in 2018, the number of safe, signaled pedestrian crosswalks across Staples Mill Road has increased from one to four, with ten more funded projects underway.

Making Brookland a safe place to live for all residents remains my top priority every day.

2. What are the most important issues facing Henrico County overall?

Rast – In both Henrico County and across the entire country, the cost of housing is the driving factor in rising cost of living. Henrico and the city of Richmond see steep hikes in rental units every year and homeowners have increasing property taxes. Costs have become so out of control that many residents are feeling priced out of their communities. Many homeowners could not afford to purchase the house they currently live in if they had to pay 2023 adjusted house prices.

The math is simple: there are more people in Richmond and Henrico than our housing units can hold. There is no government program, no public trust fund, and no policy decision that can overcome the basic laws of supply and demand. Henrico County needs to build more housing units. The best way to increase the number of housing units is to build high density neighborhoods like Libbie Mill, Willow Lawn, and West Broad Village. These areas are currently some of the most expensive parts of Henrico because of how high the demand is for these types of developments. The high demand and high tax revenue shows they are economically advantageous, and building more high density, walkable communities will provide enough supply to alleviate housing demand and bring down rent prices.

Schmitt – The main concerns facing our county as a whole are very similar to those already pinpointed for the Brookland District.
Public safety: We must continue focusing on resourcing local safety personnel and creating safe environments for residents to move around, whether by motor vehicle, foot, or bicycle.
Education: We must ensure we lead the region in a robust educational infrastructure and resources. Every child in Henrico deserves a first-class education regardless of their street or ZIP code.
Roadway and pedestrian safety: We must continue improving road conditions and pedestrian pathways, enhancing safety and accessibility.
Stormwater management: Effective stormwater management is essential to mitigate flooding risks and preserve the local environment. Henrico remains one of the few jurisdictions without a stormwater tax upon its residents.
Sensible development: Balancing development with sustainability and community needs remains a priority, ensuring growth is managed prudently.
Recreational amenities: Providing and maintaining recreational amenities enriches the quality of life, promoting a healthy and engaged community.
While each issue's prominence might vary among residents, a collective approach toward addressing these concerns will continue to contribute significantly to elevating the living standards across Henrico County.

3. What will you do as a supervisor to address crime in the county?

Rast – Henrico County has a shortage of police officers. Regardless of what program or initiative we want to enact, we need boots on the ground to actually make it happen. Officers working too many overtime shifts with too few days off increases the odds of mistakes; they aren’t operating at their full potential. Henrico only had four new recruits in 2023, which simply isn’t enough to replace how many officers are retiring. Henrico needs to reduce the burden on individual officers by fully staffing our departments. In the time it takes to hire and train new officers, we should make an effort to reduce the number of tasks we ask of our officers. Directing traffic at large events and religious gatherings is a recurring job for officers in Henrico. As someone who has directed traffic on construction sites, I know this is an easy place to hire a contractor to give officers a much needed break. Though it may be small, every step to reduce the burden on individual officers will allow them to get the rest they need and improve safety in Henrico County.

Schmitt – I follow several key steps to proactively reduce crime in Brookland already. First, I hold regular briefings with our Chief and HPD leadership, ensuring a thorough understanding and timely updates on crime trends and law enforcement activities. Secondly, I maintain a strong presence within the community by actively participating in HOA and Civic Association meetings, enabling direct communication with residents regarding their safety concerns. Third, I have been fostering close relationships with the HPD community officers assigned to neighborhoods experiencing elevated crime activity. This facilitates better monitoring and prompt response to crime trends. Last, I staunchly advocate for our public safety officials, boosting their recruitment efforts, ensuring full funding for their initiatives, and supporting staffing increases to enhance the safety and security for the residents, businesses, and visitors of the county. Protecting our citizens and keeping our communities safe is my top priority.

4. How do you view development in Henrico – is there too much of it or is more necessary? What will you do to ensure future development is appropriate?

Rast – Housing affordability is the most important issue facing residents across the county. The simple truth is there aren’t enough housing units for the amount of people in Richmond and Henrico. We absolutely need a higher and more sophisticated level of development. Building high density, walkable communities like Libbie Mill, Willow Lawn, and West Broad Village is the best way to address this. These developments provide a large number of housing units in a smaller space with the majority of the required amenities in close proximity. This helps alleviate traffic congestion because residents won’t need to drive as far to access community resources, and keeps high density urban sections of Henrico in localized areas so we don’t overrun the existing neighborhoods.

Schmitt – Henrico County is currently at a pivotal juncture concerning development. There's a contrasting landscape, with vast undeveloped land in the east while the west has witnessed significant growth over the past decade. Representing the Brookland District, my focus has been honed on revitalizing blighted retail and commercial spaces along crucial corridors like Staples Mill Road and Hungary Road, while curbing residential growth within the district, especially on the western fringes of Brookland, to prevent over-development and school overcrowding. Interestingly, the most successful residential ventures in Brookland lately have been our senior-living developments, which don’t exert the same pressure on school resources and other infrastructure. My ongoing commitment is to ensure that future development is not only well-suited to the unique needs and existing infrastructure of each area within the county but also aligns with a vision of sustainable and balanced growth. Through vigilant land use planning and open dialogue with community members, I aim to guide development in a manner that enriches the community while preserving the quality of life and essential resources for all residents.

5. What responsibility, if any, does the board have to address climate and environmental concerns locally?

Rast – Henrico County absolutely has the responsibility to do our part in addressing climate change. We already see the effects of climate change here in Virginia from the floods in Buchanan County, to the rising sea level in Hampton Roads. Unfortunately, solving this problem is more complicated than just putting solar panels on buildings. Though investing in green energy generation is certainly a piece of the puzzle, Henrico County also needs to also address our pollution centers. We have dumped over 65 million gallons of raw sewage into the James River over the past five years, and this was only brought to light when the county was sued by an environmental watchdog organization. If Henrico wants to respect and care for our environment, we need to address these issues as soon as they are discovered. Not after a lengthy court battle.

Schmitt – Our board holds a significant responsibility in addressing climate and environmental concerns locally, a commitment reflected in the substantial actions taken over my five-year tenure. Some of our key accomplishments include:
• Achieving a 10% reduction in energy consumption per square foot of building area over the past five years.
• Boasting 22 LEED certified, energy-efficient buildings, with ongoing design work for what is poised to be the country's largest K-12 school "living building."
• Installing 6 rooftop solar systems on county school buildings, with an expansion plan that includes solar projects on two closed county landfills and five additional rooftops.
• Restoring 17,400 feet of county streams using natural stream renovation methods, enhancing water quality and reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution by a total of 1,145,000 pounds annually.
• Conserving over 2,000 acres of historic, rural, and riverfront land in eastern Henrico in the last four years, alongside support for private conservation easements covering thousands of acres.
• Spearheading the largest expansion of mass transit routes in GRTC’s history, and becoming the region's largest financial contributor to transit, aimed at reducing commuter trips and fuel consumption. My service on the GRTC Board of Directors has been part of Henrico’s ongoing engagement.
• Identifying 7 public sites for electric vehicle charging station installation, awaiting a grant to upgrade these facilities for charger accommodation. Additionally, the board has authorized piloting electric vehicles within the county’s fleet.
• Doubling down on recycling efforts by distributing 95-gallon recycling carts to 90,000 households, in partnership with CVWMA, enhancing curbside recycling.
• Partnering with non-profit Capital Trees and our school system to launch a reforestation program. Trees play a crucial role in combating climate change through carbon sequestration, heat island reduction, and biodiversity enhancement. The initiative is set to enhance the tree canopies over 5,000 acres of park and school land, contributing to a healthier environment.

These actions underscore the board's proactive stance on environmental sustainability and our dedication to fostering a greener, healthier Henrico County.

6. Describe one effort, program or initiative in Henrico (currently in existence or not) for which you would propose more funding than is currently being allocated?

Rast – Henrico County currently is falling behind in maintaining our government facilities. Two examples: schools having a recurring problem with air conditioning, and the water reclamation facility dumping excess raw sewage into the James River because it isn’t able to treat all of the water. We need to invest in building upkeep and renovations if we want our facilities to function properly. These problems aren’t complicated, but can happen easily if routine maintenance is ignored. Local government is responsible for providing basic services like clean water, well maintained roads, and high quality schools. These fundamentals should be the first priority, and I intend to ensure they are taken care of properly.

Schmitt – A crucial area that I’m personally focusing on for increased funding during my next term is mental health. It's imperative to continually enhance the availability and quality of mental health services, ensuring that professional, trained personnel are sufficiently equipped to provide comprehensive support. By allocating more resources, we can significantly bolster our mental health infrastructure, addressing the needs of our community with the requisite expertise and care. Through increased funding, we can collaboratively build a more resilient and supportive environment for individuals facing mental health challenges.

7. Describe one county effort, program or initiative for which you would propose reducing the amount of funding being allocated?

Rast – Instead of trying to reduce funding for a specific program or department, I want Henrico to do a better job planning and executing the projects we enact. Working in the Department of Public Works, I see projects from beginning to end and where we are wasting money. I want to specifically call out the projects to add bike lanes to Mill Road and subsequent sewer extension in late 2022-2023. When adding bike lanes along Mill Road DPW was required to fully repave the road. Almost immediately after the completion of this project, the county scheduled a sewer expansion in the same location. This required the road to be completely repaved to cover the sawcuts and trenches needed for installing the sewer line. It should be no surprise to hear that repaving an entire road is a major expense, and repaving the same road twice within one year is simply a waste of resources.

Schmitt – Over the course of my five, week-long, session budget hearings, there have been instances where certain programs or initiatives were identified for reduction or removal due to various factors, with Belmont Golf Course costs/expenses serving as a notable example. As we gear up for the budget sessions in March of 2024, my approach remains consistent: I will advocate for reducing funding for programs or initiatives that, upon evaluation, do not provide sufficient value relative to their cost structure for the residents I represent. Through meticulous budgetary review and prioritization, my aim is to ensure that allocated funds are directed towards areas that yield meaningful benefits for the community, promoting fiscal responsibility and efficiency within the county's expenditures.

8. What will you do as a supervisor to address housing issues in the county?

Rast – I have already talked about this in previous questions, so I will be brief. The laws of supply and demand clearly show that building more houses will reduce the cost of the average housing unit. There already aren’t enough housing units for current residents, and Henrico is predicted to grow our population significantly in the coming years. High density developments are the only way forward if we have any hope of meeting housing demands.

Schmitt – Addressing housing issues within the county is a priority in my role as a supervisor. My ongoing collaboration with the county’s Office of Community Revitalization aims to tackle both the supply and condition of housing across all income levels. Maintaining robust relationships with key community leaders and organizations, such as the Virginia Association of Realtors and the Home Building Association of Richmond, is part of my commitment to fostering a conducive environment for housing improvements. I’m always actively pursuing a diverse range of housing options within the Brookland District, continuing the efforts made in areas like Libbie Mill, Westwood, and the Hungary/Woodman corridor. Through these collaborative and proactive approaches, we are addressing complex housing challenges effectively, ensuring that the residents of Henrico County have access to safe, affordable, and quality housing options.

9. Why are you the best choice for supervisor from your district?

Rast – The primary purpose of local government is to provide clean water, well maintained roads, and manage development in the county. As a civil engineer, I have direct experience designing water infrastructure, building and maintaining local roads and major highways, and working with zoning laws to manage development. I will bring a fresh, young, and knowledgeable perspective to the board. From everyday issues like potholes and traffic jams, to larger trends like car dependency and environmental concerns, I have the expertise of someone who has built our infrastructure from the ground up.

Schmitt – As a proven business leader with decades of community volunteering and leadership, I bring a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of our district's unique needs and potential. My track record as a job creator over two decades showcases my ability to foster economic growth and stability within our community. As a parent with children who have accumulated 22 combined years in the Henrico County school system, I have a firsthand perspective on the importance of a robust education framework and the needs of our schools. Moreover, my strong advocacy and support for our public safety officials have earned me the endorsement of both the Henrico Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and IAFF 1568 Henrico Professional Firefighters. This blend of professional expertise, community engagement, and personal commitment highlights my proven dedication to serving and advancing the interests of our district's residents. I love serving our community, and we still have a lot more to do together over the next four years!

10. As a supervisor, how would you weigh the need for an adequate road system with the desire to add sidewalks and bike lanes?

Rast – When building any kind of transportation network, the most important question is “Where do people want to go, and how will they get there?” Building sidewalks to the edge of your neighborhood doesn't expand pedestrian access because you haven't gotten to any meaningful destination. Sidewalks and bike lanes should create a clear path between a residential neighborhood and some kind of shopping center, school, park, or other community resource. Henrico should take advantage of the update to the comprehensive plan currently being developed and designate which roads we want to be used as highways for cars and which roads we want to be pedestrian friendly. Pedestrian-friendly streets aren’t meant to eliminate cars, but provide additional infrastructure for roads to service more than just motor vehicles. This would provide more access to people on foot or on bicycle, while also keeping open access to major arterials for cars and trucks.

Schmitt – My tenure as a supervisor reflects a balanced approach to enhancing our road system while also prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure. I’ve successfully added over 15 miles of sidewalk and paved shared-use pathways in the last five years, with another 43 miles secured in funding and slated for construction. Since my election in 2018, the safety measures for pedestrian crossings on Staples Mill Road have been notably enhanced; from just one safe, signaled crossing, we are on course to have four with the ongoing Hungary Road project. Additionally, ten more signaled pedestrian safety improvements across Staples Mill Road have been funded and programmed under my leadership.
I’ve also been instrumental in marking miles of bike pathways across the district, with a new project funded and set to begin this month. My advocacy for the Fall Line Trail, exemplified by the recent groundbreaking event at Spring Park for the initial Henrico Phase, is a testament to my commitment towards establishing a connector-trail system. This initiative is pivotal in achieving our broader objectives of safe pedestrian and cyclist connectivity throughout the county. Through a balanced allocation of resources and strong concerted efforts, we will continue fostering a well-rounded, safe, and accessible transportation network that caters to the diverse needs of our community over the next term.