The start of 2018

Goochland’s supervisors rang in 2018 with punch and cake before their January 3 meeting to celebrate being named the most tax friendly county in the nation for 2017 by the American City County Exchange.  The award, totally unsolicited, according to Supervisor Ken Peterson, District 5, recognizes Goochland for… “outstanding performance on spending, taxes, and transparency”.

Goochland has yet another award for excellence in governing .

“Goochland County is  a national leader in taxpayer friendly policies,” said Jon Russell, National Director of ACCE and a Culpeper Town Councilman in an ACCE press release. “Other counties need to look at their model of governance and replicate their success.” Visit http://www.acce.us for more information about this organization.

Electing  board leadership for calendar year 2018 was the first item on the Board’s afternoon agenda. Peterson was elected chair and Manuel Alvarez, Jr., District 2, vice chair. Outgoing chair Ned Creasey, District 3, thanked fellow board members for their support and county staff for its dedication to serving the citizens while implementing board policies. It is board policy to rotate leadership each year.

Ken Peterson, District 5, (l) will be 2018 Board Chair; Manuel Alvarez, Jr., District 2, Vice Chair.

Peterson thanked Creasey for being the catalyst of the good things that have happened in Goochland since he was first elected in 2007.  He commended Creasey on completing a second term as board chair and for setting high standards for those in local government.

 “Ned is a plain spoken man of few words who has served in the uniform of his country; as a police officer; and as a long time Goochland Fire-Rescue volunteer. He has been a great friend and mentor to all of us,” said Peterson.

Following elections, the supervisors adopted their code of ethics and operating procedures. (These are available on the county website http://goochlandva.us/) Adopting a code of ethics that lists, in detail, expected behavior of elected officials to earn  public trust in performance of their duties sets a clear standard for moral behavior. It was first adopted on March 1, 2001.

County Administrator John Budesky said that the county budget season is in full swing. He thanked everyone who worked hard  last year to compile the 25 year capital improvement plan that identifies priorities going forward. Between now and adoption of the county budget for fiscal year 2019 in April, there will be ample opportunity for citizens to weigh in on county finances with several public hearings and a spring round of town hall meetings. Citizen feedback on money matters, said Budesky, is extremely important. In addition to public forums, county administration and the supervisors may be contacted by phone or electronic means.

The afternoon session addressed a number of items in an expeditious manner.

A  resolution denying a damage claim on the recommendation of the county attorney was unanimously adopted.

Perhaps the most interesting item on the agenda was an unsolicited proposal by a private company to expand broadband in Goochland.

Since taking office in 2012 this board, especially Alvarez, has sought ways to expand high speed internet access. Western Goochland and areas throughout the county have no access to broadband and, in some places, difficulty obtaining adequate cell phone signals. The supervisors do not believe the county should be in the internet business.  They prefer to create an environment attractive to private sector providers more able to react quickly to technological advances than a governmentally regulated utility.    

The proposal, submitted by SCS Broadband Acelanet,LLC, is for a public-private partnership to provide high-speed internet in the county. The supervisors authorized staff to review the proposal and report back to them.

Budesky said that he is pleased about this development, but cautioned that it has not yet been fully vetted to ensure that it is in the best interest of the citizens.  “This is just the beginning,” said Budesky. “We’re not prepared to talk details at this point. We need to make sure that they (SCA Broadband) can deliver before we get locked into anything.”

The evaluation will take about 90 days; the supervisors will be kept abreast of the process. “This proposal was a long time coming and we want to make sure it is done right,” said Budesky. “As this was not the result of a request for proposals, it is now a public document open to some level of negotiation.” The county, said Budesky wants to remain as transparent as possible so that the citizens are clear on what is being considered. He also hoped that the SCS Broadband overture will attract competitors. Goochland does not have a non-compete arrangement with Comcast or Verizon.

In response to a query from Peterson, Budesky confirmed that the supervisors authorized only an evaluation of the proposal by staff. No commitment, monetary or otherwise, was made.

Peterson reiterated that this proposal is just the beginning. NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE, and this could turn out not to be the answer to bring broadband to underserved parts of the county. Stay tuned, this is an encouraging development, but it is very early days.

Administrative Services Manager Paul Drumwright presented an update on the county’s 2018 Legislative Agenda—the document that communicates Goochland’s position on proposed legislation before the General Assembly and “wish list” of new laws to benefit the county. The list of proposed laws for 2018, so far, is relatively light. Drumwright attributed this to the November defeat of  many incumbents. Indeed, this year it seems likely that little will be accomplished at the General Assembly as both parties battle for control, rather than serve the citizens who elected them.

Only a few of the county’s priority requests have been addressed in pending legislation. These include: a change on composition of the economic development authority; determination of public facility capacity; expansion of broadband through the Virginia Telecommunications initiative; and elimination of the requirement for schools to open after Labor Day. Additional bills are expected to be filed in the near future.

The General Assembly convenes on January 10. Goochland’s representation in the GA consists of Delegates Lee Ware, 65^th District; newly elected John McGuire, 56^th District, and Senator Mark Peake, 22^nd District.