So far so good

Goochland County finances are trending positive, according to second quarter projections reported by Director of Finance Barbara Horlacher to both the county audit committee and Board of Supervisors on Chinese New Year, Tuesday, February 5.

Actual revenues exceed expectations by $2,791,351 thanks to better than expected interest income; bank stock taxes; and sales tax. Expenses were $3,988,068 less than budgeted and the transfer to the children’s services fund was $143,000 lower than anticipated. This translates to an anticipated approximately $4.1 million increase in general fund balance over the budgeted amount at June 30, 2019, the end of the current fiscal year.

District 5 Supervisor Ken Peterson, who chairs the audit committee, commended Horlacher and staff for report, but cautioned that things will change, and Goochland must be financially prepared to weather an economic downturn.

County Treasurer Pam Johnson observed that, thanks to rising interest rates, Goochland also received a bit more than $1 million in interest on its funds last year, a significant increase over previous years.

Johnson reported that the collection rate for real estate taxes in 2018 was 99.37 percent and personal property taxes 98.96 percent. “We are blessed to live in a county with good citizens who pay their taxes,” she said. County Administrator John Budesky said that he has never worked in a jurisdiction with a collection rate that high.

Kimberley Jefferson, Director of Social Services reported that Medicaid expansion enrollment is going smoothly and, so far, the county had has fewer new enrollees than anticipated. These applications are being processed in a timely manner as Social Service staff grapples with several state data systems that do not “seem to be talking to each other.”

Bev Long of DSS said that there may still be a significant number of people who may qualify for Medicaid coverage under the new rules but are unaware of the expansion.

During the afternoon Supervisors’ meeting, Johnson announced that she will retire on June 30, 2019 and recommended that Pamela Duncan, her chief deputy, be appointed by the Circuit Court as interim county treasurer until a successor is duly elected. Johnson explained that, as an audit is mandated when a treasurer leaves office, it will be simpler to perform this task at the end of a fiscal year.

Pamela Johnson takes oath of office in 2011. Beth Hardy, District 4 school board member looks on.

 “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Goochland as their Treasurer,” said Johnson. “Eight years ago, when I took office, I pledged to restore the broken trust in the Treasurer’s office.” During Johnson’s tenure, all employees of her office were educated and earned certification for their jobs. The office itself received state accreditation— one of fewer than half of similar agencies in Virginia to do so.

Johnson said that we are fortunate to live in a place like Goochland where citizens get along in relative harmony and pay their taxes. “I have not accomplished this alone, my staff did the heavy lifting. When I was injured, they carried on without missing a beat.”

Johnson was appointed interim county treasurer about eight years ago following the arrest of her predecessor for embezzlement.

Board Chair Manuel Alvarez, Jr. District 2 said “it is not often we get to meet people who work as hard as you to do meet the needs of the citizens. I wish you well.”

“Look how far we’ve come in eight years,” said Board Vice Chair Susan Lascolette, District 1. “We have confidence in you and your staff to know that there are no lies ever or lost documents and things are being done right.”

Bob Minnick, District 4 observed that Goochland has seen phenomenal changes during Johnson’s tenure. “You’ve punched well above your weight in a manner that translates into good leadership. I hope we have not seen the last of you.”

John Lumpkins, District 3, thanked Johnson for her support during his tenure on the school board. “You did wonders for the whole county.”

There will be way too many of these “hail and farewells” by the end of the year.

Mary Ann Davis, county assessor, presented 2018 property valuations. The total taxable value of land in Goochland rose by 6.3 percent to $5.1 billion. This includes $144 million in new construction, which represents three percent of the overall increase. Of the new construction, 48 percent is commercial, the balance residential. Fair market values in the Tuckahoe Creek Service District are $1.1 billion. Davis attributed the increase to a rise in construction costs and a lack of “improved properties for sale”, which constitutes a “seller’s” market. She forecasted a three to five percent increase next year.

These numbers will be used during the budget process to determine how much money, probably based on retention of the current 53 cents per $100 of valuation tax rate. Budesky will present his recommended budget for the next fiscal year on Tuesday, February19 at a special 3 p.m. supervisors’ meeting. Over the next month or so, several budget workshop sessions where departments present their proposed budgets and district town hall meetings will be held to explain county spending and gather citizen input. Please pay attention to these matters and do not be shy about expressing yours views on the county budget. They’re spending your taxes dollars, share your opinions!

It’s that time of year again when the Virginia General Assembly, referred to by some as “The Imperial Clown Show”, convenes in Richmond. Paul Drumwright, Administrative Services Manager, who keeps a close eye on GA activity, reported on matters of interest to Goochland in the session thus far.

Drumwright said that our representatives in the GA: Delegates Lee Ware, 65^th District; John McGuire 56^th District; and Sen. Mark Peake, 22^nd District, have been “great to work with” and responsive to county concerns. Tara McGee, staff, and legislate delegation did “heavy lifting” to pass legislation favorable to Goochland.

Legislation deemed a priority by the county included bills dealing with clarifying capacity of public facilities used to evaluate residential rezoning proffers and eliminating this language from proffer laws. Ware and McGuire were co patrons of a house bill and Peake senate bill on the topic, both of which failed in committee. Drumwright was optimistic that some improved proffer reform legislation will be passed. Impact fee bills carried over from last year are off the table

Broadband expansion bills look more promising, including one that allows creation of service districts for “last mile” infrastructure only. Another allows the state corporation commission to set up pilot projects with electric utilities to provide broadband.  Drumwright said that Dominion was just waiting for someone to tell them that they could do this. There could also be a huge increase in Virginia telecommunications initiative funds in state budget negotiations.

Goochland did not take a position on HB2141, a “permissive” bill that allows, but does not require, localities to do something. This would permit the governing body to require any property owners inside a broadband service district to connect. Drumwright said that Goochland took no position on this bill. Alvarez said that many broadband bills forbid certain actions but exempt specific localities, who have systems in place. This enables us to do more if we need to. He thanked Drumwright and County Attorney Tara McGee for their efforts at the GA and others have noticed the good work of Goochland’s delegation.

No bills dealing with transportation of sludge were filed this session, nor were any for reimbursement of localities for the cost of political party primaries. A study of the salaries of general registrars compared to Constitutional Officers was passed in the senate finance committee.

For complete details on the county’s legislative agenda. See the February 5 board packet available on the county website http://goochlandva.us/ beginning on page 97.