A bigger worm

There’s still time for a blast of winter weather, but a sure sign of spring, finalizing the Goochland County budget, is underway. On Tuesday, February 18 County Administrator John Budesky presented his recommended budget to the Board of Supervisors. The proposed budget is a comprehensive 416 page document that can be viewed here http://www.goochlandva.us/Archive.aspx?AMID=44 and is worth a look.

Budesky’s budget is based on 53 cents per $100 of valuation real estate tax rate. The supervisors voted to authorize its advertisement in advance of a public hearing before its adoption, which means that the final tax rate for calendar 2020, which will be set in April, will likely stay the same. The ad valorem tax on property in the Tuckahoe Creek Service District (TCSD) will also remain unchanged at 32 cents per $100 of valuation. Other fees and taxes will see adjustments.

Reviewing the carefully crafted departmental requests for justifiable budget increases recalls the image of a mama bird bringing food to a nest filled with hungry babies thinking she’s going to need a bigger worm.

Retention of the 53-cent rate is a bigger worm, technically a tax increase. This year’s total assessed value of real property, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property, exceeds last year's aggregate.  A tax rate of 50 cents per $100 would generate the same amount as last year’s 53-cent rate.  The difference results in an effective tax rate increase of six percent. The county is required by law to advertise a tax increase if the year over year difference, is more than one percent.

Goochland County government funds many departments. Thanks to sound financial practices put into place eight years ago, staff, Constitutional Officers and our school division work hard to use public dollars wisely.

Budesky believes that his recommendations will be modified between now and April. The total budget is $92.2 million for fiscal 2021, which starts on July 1. He encourages all residents to follow the budget by attending town hall meetings and following presentations and board deliberations online.  Budesky encourages and welcomes feedback and input, which, he contended makes the budget a true reflection of the citizens’ needs.

The budget demonstrates the supervisors’ commitment to core services, law enforcement, fire-rescue and emergency services; and education, said Budesky. Public safety personnel recommendations—four new full-time deputies; one full time dispatcher; five full time fire-rescue providers; an additional part-time fire marshal— is part of the $1.5 million or 12.3 percent increase over fiscal 2020 for public safety. Schools will receive a $950,000, four percent increase over last year. Employees will receive a two percent merit increase.

The FY2021 proposed budget includes a 4.7 percent increase in funding for the Office of Children’s Services and level funding for the Healthy Department; Goochland Cares; and the Pamunkey Regional Library.

There will be no increase in out-of-pocket employee health insurance costs. The budget includes a proposal to allow retired county employees to remain in the county health insurance plan, if they pay the full premium. Board Chair Susan Lascolette District 1 asked if their “experience” would become part of the county-wide plan experience (claims) that has the potential for increasing premiums across the board.

Big ticket items include a new 100-foot fire-rescue “ladder truck” to serve the eastern end of the county, which now has two apartment complexes, soon to be joined by a hotel and hospital. This apparatus will be housed at Manakin Company 1. Budesky said the county will not incur debt to purchase this equipment.

Budesky said that the proposed budget was unable to fulfill all budget requests. Providing competitive salary and benefit packages to attract and retain the best employees is an ongoing challenge. Although Goochland has the highest median income in the region, some residents have lesser means and face economic challenges. The burden of taxes and fees on all residents must be considered when evaluating budget priorities.

Sheriff

Before the start of the meeting, Goochland Sheriff Steven N. Creasey, 45 days into office discussed some types of vehicles used by our LEOs. He said that a “deep dive” will be done into the vehicle needs for deputies going forward. A new vehicle “fully loaded” with computers, etc. cost about $53,000 each. T The FY2021 capital improvement plan includes $435,000 for sheriff vehicles.

Sheriff Creasey (l) explains vehicles needs to  Board Chair Susan Lascolette (r) and  County Administrator John Budesky  while Lt. Steve Layton (center) and 1st Sgt, Troy May look on.

Creasey later explained that the Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. In addition to responding to calls for service and overseeing the 911 Dispatch function, GCSO also serves court papers, and is responsible for all facets of court security and prisoner transport.

Creasy said that 2021 goals are: to maintain the safety of the community through delivery of high quality law enforcement services and community partnerships; recruit and retain highly qualified professionals  committed to the Goochland community; continue  fiscally responsible practices; and be innovative in the use of existing and emerging technologies.

The GCSO FY2021 budget requested six additional deputies to implement a mandatory minimum staffing policy of four deputies per shift to cover Goochland’s 281.42 square miles of territory. A five- year staffing plan, that is part of the CCSO budget request, would potentially provide for a mandatory minimum coverage of six deputies per shift by FY 2025. Staffing, said Creasey, is fluid depending on county growth. New deputies are those who will work patrol and fill court related functions.

The new emergency medical dispatch can be very time intensive, said the Sheriff, so additional dispatchers are always needed to ensure adequate coverage. Fourteen of the current 15 dispatchers are trained in EMD.  

Creasey said that the  GCSO FY 2021 budget request was mostly authored by the previous administration, but he is requesting additional funds for programs to benefit the community , including a “Handle with Care” initiative to support families and residents with special physical, behavioral, and/or psychological needs; interviews by a certified psychiatrist for job applicants; cell phones for deputies; uniform and equipment replacement, and an expected increase in the cost of ammunition. Continuing education for 911 Dispatchers to keep them current on emergency medical dispatch procedures and training for LEOs in the constantly evolving area of digital technology were additional costs.

On March 7, 24 well-qualified job applicants for open deputy positions will be tested. Pending completion of a final interview, Creasey expects to fill the crime analyst candidate position soon.

The Sheriff reported that an internal audit of all GCSO property is in progress and reaccreditation review will take place in the spring.  Goochland will join The Internet Task Force Against Crimes Against Children, probably on a part-time basis, later this year. Down the road a bit, the GCSO will work toward national accreditation.

See http://www.goochlandva.us/DocumentCenter/View/6629/Sheriff-FY2021 for more detailed information.

Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services

Goochland Fire-Rescue Chief D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. also asked for more people in his budget request.  He reminded the board that fire-rescue is an all hazards organization handling fires; emergency medical service, hazardous materials response; and emergency management to help citizens survive and recover from disasters. It performs a great deal of educational outreach to prevent incidents and create order out of chaos in times of emergency.

Volunteers and career providers constituted skilled workforce that collaborates daily to deliver high quality services to Goochland citizens. EMS response time standards improved in 2019 especially after the October 1 deployment of 24/7 crews at each of the county’s six fire-rescue stations. He reported that the number of times the county has no units available to respond to EMS calls has declined drastically.  An aggressive hiring process enabled fire-rescue to hire 15 people last year.  The number resulted from adding new employees and turnover.

Tactical medics were embedded in the Sheriff’s Office special operations team. Protective equipment is being replaced and upgraded as part of the health initiative and cancer prevention initiative.  Special Nomex hoods that filter out carcinogens and 30 level 4 ballistic vests for EMS and firefighter protection during active shooter scenarios have also been ordered.  Ten-year-old self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) has been replaced to further protect those who protect us.  High visibility chevron markings on the back of ambulances and fire apparatus make them more to enhance highway safety for responders.

New scheduling software has simplified and improved staffing and accounting for duty hours adding a higher level of efficiency to administration.

Ferguson said that EMD, which began on June 19, provides prearrival emergency medical instructions including bleeding control, CPR coaching, and child birth. It ensures that the correct resources are dispatched for faster arrival at a patient’s location.

See  http://www.goochlandva.us/DocumentCenter/View/6632/Fire-Rescue-FY2021 for the complete presentation.

Animal Protection

Animal  Protection Director Tim Clough outlined the functions of his department, which include responding to all calls for service related to domestic animals 365 days per year;  enforcing all animal welfare ordinances of the County and Commonwealth; preventing the spread of rabies to humans and domestic animals; maintaining the Animal Shelter;  reuniting lost animals with their owners; and finding permanent homes for adoptable animals.

Overall calls for service have increased year over year. As the county grows, so does the number of domestic animals. Dog intake at the shelter has increased while cat intake has decreased. Clough attributed this to the lack of space at the interim facility at the Central High School Complex. The number of adoptions has decreased, which Clough attributed to the out of the way location of the interim animal shelter. He expects the number of adoptions to increase when the new shelter opens later this year. Two part time shelter attendants who do not respond to calls were added in a previous year’s budget.

A request for an additional animal control officer, to bring the total to 8 was not included in Budesky’s recommendations. Clough said that staffing the new facility and responding to calls for service in a timely will be challenging. “We have a good plan in place and we’re looking forward to this challenge,” said Clough.

Clough said that the additional officer could reduce the response to call times depending on the situation. Most calls come directly to the shelter. If officers are busy messages will be immediately sent to officers by email. Dispatch will also contact animal control officers.

Outreach to offer rabies clinics and teach responsible animal ownership work to prevent incidents. Clough said that pets with county license can be easily tracked. “If we can identify your pet, it’s a free ride home,” he said. 

Animal protection keeps track of lost animals reported to them or on social media to help reunite pets with their people.

Go to http://www.goochlandva.us/DocumentCenter/View/6630/Animal-Protection-FY2021 to see  the presentation.

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