The people speak

Citizen comment period, when anyone is free to speak on any topic not on the agenda was put to good use on the afternoon of April 2 at the Goochland County Supervisors’ meeting.

The Board was asked to create a committee to explore creation of a nuisance noise ordinance. A citizen contended that this would give deputies a tool to deal with complaint against inconsiderate neighbors. Surrounding jurisdictions, she contended, have laws like this on the books that carry serious fines. A few months ago, a sound engineer made a similar plea, contending that technology to document excess noise levels is readily available and should be used.

Goochland County Administrator John Budesky said that listening sessions on this topic will be scheduled to gather citizen input on the subject.

A woman took the supervisors to task for the zero-tolerance leash law policy in county parks. She contended that she rarely sees other people when walking her dog on county trails and that well-trained dogs under the control of their owners pose no threat to other people. She asked that the leash ordinance be revisited, and animal protection offices empowered to use their discretion when enforcing the ordinance. Well-behaved dogs and responsible owners should not be punished, she believes.

Linda Moore thanked the supervisors for funding emergency medical dispatch, and Chief D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr.  for helping to change EMS protocols.

Bob Minnick, District 4, grilled VDOT representatives about safety mitigation at the Rts. 250/288 interchange following yet another fatality there last week. Advertisement for the project is scheduled about a year from now and could takes as long as two years to complete.

Encourage VDOT to speed up 250/288 safety improvements

On the evening of April 2, the Board held public hearings on the proposed: FY 2020 budget; tax rates including personal property and real estate; fees; and appropriations for the year’s capital improvement plan (CIP).

Fewer than a handful of citizens attended the session, which ended well before 7:30; none spoke during the hearings.

Changes to the initial budget presentation included a proposal to increase the pay of both supervisors and planning commissioners. Supervisors currently receive $12,000 annually and the chair $15,000. Proposed is an annual increase to $15,000 per member; $17,000 for vice chair; and $19,000 for the chair. Planning commissioners stipend would increase to $300 per meeting from the current $150.

Changes in planning commission compensation, if approved, would be effective July 1, 2019, the start of the next fiscal year. The change in supervisor pay, if approved on April 16, would be effective January 1, 2020, when a new board is in place. The increase for supervisors will be voted on separately from the rest of the budget. In 2011, the former Board of Supervisors approved a similar pay increase, which was rescinded by the supervisors elected that year after they took office in January 2012.

The afternoon Board session included lengthy discussions about the CIP. As the result of a workshop between the supervisors and school board in March, the cost of the new Goochland Elementary School, planned for fiscal year 2024, rose from approximately $24 million to just under $32 million. School officials explained that a capacity increase from 500 to 650 students is needed due to more robust than anticipated population growth in the county. Also shown on the 25-year CIP was a new $24 million court facility also planned for FY 24.

Budesky said that pushing back the new court building to FY2033—more than 200 years after the current Circuit Courthouse was built—may not be an option. He reported that Chief and Presiding Judge Timothy K. Sanner of the Goochland Circuit Court is very concerned about the delay and could order construction of a new courthouse. Sanner was unable to meet with Budesky before April 12—the supervisors vote to adopt the budget and CIP on April 16—to discuss the matter. Does this mean that the judge was not consulted about the change before now?

There was discussion about moving the courthouse construction back to 2028 and postponing a West Creek “public safety building” while bolstering equipment and personnel at Manakin and Centerville instead. The supervisors acknowledged the importance of a safe and adequate work environment for county courts

Budesky pointed out that while much pre-planning is involved in both the school and courthouse, no borrowing will occur for two years.  John Lumpkins, District 3 observed that the amounts in the CIP are essentially placeholders and actual costs may differ, probably on the high side. Many of these projects are urgent, Budesky observed.

Ken Peterson, District 5 cautioned about maintaining the credit worthiness of the county. Raising taxes to service increased debt to pay for the school and courthouse simultaneously could imperil Goochland’s tax advantage over Henrico and hurt economic development. He worried that the county could bite off more than it can chew.

It will be interesting to see how this is handled on April 16 when the supervisors adopt the budget and set the tax rates for calendar year 2019. As Lumpkins pointed out, with borrowing two years off, the board will have the same discussion next year.