Town Hall highlights and other news

The Goochland Drive in Theater, which, after approvals from state authorities, had planned to open observing social distancing and other extreme measures, announced on social media that it will not reopen at this time. “We want to be part of the solution, not the problem,” the post said. May the GDIT and all county businesses be back to normal soon.

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On March 31, Goochland County Administrator John Budesky and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jeremy Raley held a virtual town hall meeting accessible via online live stream and by telephone. (If you were unable to tune in live, a recording is available on the county website goochland.va.us scroll to the bottom of the page and click on past recorded events.)

County government and our school division have been scrambling to respond to the current emergency. All involved—and there are many faces behind the scenes holding things together—are to be commended and thanked for their extraordinary efforts in this mind-boggling time.

Budesky urged citizens to follow the governor’s guidelines regarding Covid 19. He also encouraged residents to continue to patronize our hard-hit restaurants who are still operating for take out and delivery service. Parks are open, said Budesky. To let people get out for mental and physical wellbeing. When using these facilities, Budesky asked citizens, to observe rules, restrict groups to 10 or fewer people, and observe social distancing. The county is doing its best to sanitize equipment.

Convenience centers are experiencing unusual demand as people use their down time to do spring cleaning and flood both convenience centers with their discarded stuff. This is true of the entire region and asked residents’ cooperation to keep the convenience centers open.

Budesky said that spring town halls address the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year and the virtual meeting would attempt to fill that role.  As originally proposed, the FY 2021 budget included expanded spending for public safety and other initiatives. Then Covid 19 came calling.

“Just like all of our residents,” said Budesky, “things changed in the last 30 days.” The county does not take these impacts lightly and understands this will affect the way that residents are able to pay for things. The current situation will also change the way that local government does business.

Next year’s budget will be completely different from that posted online, said Budesky. The current fiscal year, which ends on June 30, will be impacted by the emergency. All departments are working to reduce spending and make cutbacks. These include examining payment deadlines. Bills will still go out, but no services will be turned off for lack of payment.

He urged small businesses to visit the county’s economic development website http://www.goochlandforbusiness.com/ for information on accessing loans and other assistance. For those without internet he suggested calling economic development 804-556-5862 to discuss their needs.

Adjustments and cuts will be made to the FY 2021 budget. Goochland, which has followed conservative fiscal policies, is in a very good position to weather this downturn. “We know that tax revenue will be down, that interest income will be lower, and that fees from building and other permits will be reduced,” said Budesky. The county is planning for that appropriately but not anticipating any reduction in public safety.

County employees are engaged in meaningful work and able to address task backlogs. Our building officials are working, building continues. Goochland, said Budesky, operates with a lean staff, contracting for extra services or multi-tasking and has prudent cash reserve policies. The county has a rainy-day fund, unallocated funds, and capital funds, whose use could be deferred to maintain the services our residents need. At the April 7 budget public hearing more details about plans for going forward will be shared. There are no current plans to furlough or lay off county employees who are engaged in meaningful work.

The four-million-dollar budget anticipated revenue growth for FY 2021 is gone. That budget will be flat or reduced over the current year’s.

Tough choices will be made. There will be no raises, there will be no new positions, but critical expenditures will be prioritized to sustain, when possible, current levels of service. Revisiting the fiscal picture will be ongoing as “the new normal” becomes clearer.

Goochland’s 53 cent tax rate, the lowest in the region, has been in place for some time and will not be raised. As Goochland does not depend on admission, meals, or lodging taxes to provide services. The county is far less dependent on state revenues than our neighbors and better able to weather the storm.

“We don’t, for one second, forget that this is a difficult time for our residents. Your calls and concerns keep us grounded,” said Budesky. The county will continue to follow its best practices prudent fiscal polices to safeguard its triple A bond ratings.

The budget public hearing will be held at 6 pm. on April 7 by electronic means. The public hearing is just that. Staff presents the proposed budget and the supervisors hear feedback from the public. Budesky said that feedback via email, letter, and phone call will be received until April 13. He encouraged citizens to express their concerns and make comments. The formal budget adoption is scheduled for April 21.

Budesky reiterated the county’s commitment broadband expansion. This crisis has exacerbated this issue to a new level of importance. In the meantime, hotspots at all county fire-rescue stations are live.

Dr. Raley thanked Budesky for his leadership during the past four years and during this difficult time. (Budesky submitted his resignation, effective June 30, on March 25 after he was hired as the Hanover County Administrator.)

The budget approved by the school board in February, will change, but the focus will continue to be on the students and talented staff, said Raley. More than 70 percent of the Goochland school budget comes from the county transfer. The amount of state funds is an unknown until the General Assembly reconvenes in late April for its veto session. By May, the school division will have a better idea of its FY 2021 budget.

“To the students, families, staff, we miss you a whole lot. Please now that we’re thinking about you. The great things taking place behind the scenes on your behalf are remarkable,” said Raley. Our core values continue to drive the school division as we work through this difficult time. Every decision we make is in the best interests of the students we serve.

“The buildings are closed, but education continues, it just looks a little bit different,” Raley said.

During the extended closure the schools will continue to provide new instruction without placing undue stress on families. Staff is preparing lessons to cover missed instruction that does not require internet access to complete. The goal is to distribute this on Monday, April 13 digitally though web-based platforms, or via hard copy through curbside pickup. The schools will make individual arrangements with those not able to access the material in either of these ways. Work for the remainder of the year will not be graded; but will be assessed on a pass/fail basis.

Graduation will be held, when and where is still unclear. Raley said mid-June at John Paul Jones area is a possible date. SOL tests have been cancelled.

Free meals are available to all children in Goochland. “I want to spread far and wide the news about our free meal program and celebrate the hard work of our food service team. They get up and go to work every day to serve our community,” said Raley.

Raley gave a brief summary of the school division’s updated strategic plan, which it hopes to implement by July 1. He encouraged parents and students to stay in touch.  Go to http://goochlandschools.org/school-board/strategic-plan/ for details.

Technical difficulties, which the county expects to resolve before April 7, precluded questions. Raley said his phone number is 804-556-5601 and the county’s is 804-556-5800 and encouraged residents to contact him or Budesky with questions, concerns and comments.