Is Goochland busting out all over?

Every time a residential rezoning application starts through the county’s land use process, virulent opposition declares that Goochland will soon be covered with houses. New residents, opponents contend, will overwhelm public safety resources, and flood our school division with new students.

Just how fast is Goochland growing? If you drive down Hockett Road, it seems like houses pop out of the ground after every rain. New homes are also rising in Courthouse Village.

According to the Weldon-Cooper Center at the University of Virginia (https://demographics.coopercenter.org/virginia-population-estimates), Goochland’s population as of 2019 was estimated to be 23,472 up from the 2010 census count of 21,717. Numbers in the 2020 census—if you have not yet completed your census forms please do so—will be higher. The county’s population as recorded in the 1970 census was 10,069; the 2040 population is projected to be 29,451. To put things into perspective Henrico’s current population is approximately 330,000. Goochland has slightly more land area than its neighbor to the east. There is also some indication that the overall population of Virginia is declining.

Goochland Director of Community Development Jo Ann Hunter presented an overview of current residential growth as indicated at the June 2 supervisors’ meeting. 

 Approximately 75 to 100 “by right” lots—created by breaking up existing large parcels— are also developed per year. These agricultural splits, which tend to be located in areas zoned A-1 and A-2, account for about half of new lots annually.

Hunter used a map to illustrate residential lots created by rezoning actively under construction, or pending by location, maximum number of homes approved, number of lots recorded, and the projected date of build out.

Approved residential lots.

Hunter pointed out that of the 2,410 approved residential lots, 1,962 are in age restricted communities, which do not add students to the school division.  These include Avery Point and Tuckahoe Pines, both located in the very eastern part of Goochland, which are multi-story buildings.

In spite of Covid lockdowns, interest and activity in new residential communities is robust. Completion of Reader’s Branch, on the east side of Hockett Road, for instance, is moving faster than its anticipated eight year build out and could be finished in three to four years. “Build it and they are coming”  Hunter said.

She said that the actual number of new homes completed in 2019 was 213, which was the highest number in several years. The average household size 4.3, which, Hunter estimates increases the county’s head count by five hundred people each year.  “It’s healthy to have new residents,” she said. That number translates into an overall growth rate of about two percent, which, she contended is manageable and does not over tax county services.

Many of the recently approved subdivisions, including Tuckahoe Bridge and Manakin Towne are still in the engineering phase. At Reed Marsh in Courthouse Village, however, site work is well underway, though no lots have been recorded. Build out for the up to 64 approved lots in Reed Marsh, according to Hunter’s chart, is expected to take up to five years.

The Reed Marsh community  in Courthouse Village is well underway.

Building permit submissions continue at the same rate as before the Covid lockdown, Hunter reported.

Going forward no large residential rezoning applications are pending.  The only project on the horizon is an estimated 330-unit apartment community in West Creek. This would be on the remaining 20 of 60 acres approved in 2012 for multifamily use.

Market forces will determine how fast these new subdivisions will be completed. The long-term economic consequences of the Covid lockdown and their impact on the economy are still unknown.  Utilities—water and sewer—available only small portion of Goochland, are necessary to support large subdivisions.

The lemonade stand

Metaphorical l lemons rained on the world during 2020 disrupting all aspects of normality. Lock downs separated us from one another. For fear of spreading Covid people were unable to gather and celebrate weddings or mourn at funerals, times of sharing that double joy and halve sorrow. Traditional graduations were another casualty of Covid.

A specially built stage in front of a video screen at the Goochland Drive In

But wait! Goochland’s ingenious school division made lemonade from those lemons and found a way to hold high school graduation so proud families could see their graduates walk across the stage and receive diplomas while safely separated.

On the evening of June 16, the Goochland Drive In Theater hosted graduation in the age of Covid, outdoors in the rain. Though reimagined, the ceremony included many traditional elements including, Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance; speeches by the valedictorian and salutatorian; and the walk across the stage after each student received their diploma.

Intrepid school leaders Dr. Jeremy Raley Superintendent of Schools, School Board Chair John Wright, District 5, GHS Principal Dr. Chris Collier, and Dr. Beth Fowler stood masked in academic regalia, sometimes in pouring rain, to celebrate—via touchless congratulations—each member of the class of 2020 as they collected diplomas from a table sprayed with disinfectant between graduates and posed for photos.

During brief remarks at the start—all speeches were prerecorded in the GHS auditorium—Raley encouraged the class to see challenges as opportunities to make a positive difference in the world. Wright observed that the high school degree is an investment in the future and a ticket to the good life. He hoped they would put their “tickets” to good use to do old things in new ways and do things never believed possible. Collier acknowledged the faculty and staff whose skill and commitment to excellence guided the class to graduation. The audience beeped horns and flashed headlights as an alternative to applause.

Collier recognized the academic leaders of the class and introduced the Valedictorian Coleman Boatwright and Salutatorian James De Loach Their remarks were thoughtful and reflective.  Both thanked those that helped them along the way and encouraged classmates to remember the lessons learned inside and outside the classroom as they move on to the next phase of life.

Goochland alum Justin Verlander, waiting to see if their will be a major league baseball season this year, congratulated the Class of 2020 via video, wishing them all the best in our crazy world.

The entire event can be viewed on the Goochland County Public School Facebook page.

Congratulations to the GHS Class of 2020. They will never forget their unique graduation. Thanks to all who made this celebration of 13 years of schooling happen. Maybe it will start a new tradition.

Public meetings in the age of Covid

On Wednesday, June 10, Goochland supervisors held a special called meeting.

County Administrator John Budesky welcomed the public. “We missed you,” he said. “While our doors were closed, we were working hard. Now in phase two (of Covid 19 restrictions) things look different. We are in the people business. Our work is much more rewarding when we can see who we are dealing with.”

Distancing and masks are "the new normal" for public meetings in Goochland.

He commended Commissioner of the Revenue Jennifer Brown and her staff for keeping Goochland’s DMV Select open during the lockdown. Our DMV Select was one of a handful statewide that remained operational, crafting work around procedures to serve the public while observing Covid 19 precautions.

Budesky announced that on Monday, June 15, the new animal shelter will open to the public. The facility contains tributes to the old shelter and the late Rebecca T. Dickson, who envisioned the public-private partnership with Goochland Pet Lovers that made the shelter a reality. The old building, said Budesky, served the county for over 33 years in a space about the size of the new shelter’s lobby.

The Animal Protection Department, explained Budesky, expected to be in temporary quarters at the Central High Complex for only 6 months and has been there for about a year and a half. The rise in adoptions during the Covid 19 quarantine nearly emptied the shelter of adoptable pets, which will simply the move to the new home.  A second dog park at Hidden Rock Park will soon be open too.

A virtual tour of the new shelter will be available on Monday as well as a 360-degree tour. Social distancing and limited capacity will apply to visitors.

Derek Stamey, Deputy County Administrator for Operations, was appointed Interim County Administrator and Clerk of the Board effective July 1. He will act as the county’s chief executive officer while the supervisors conduct a search for a successor to Budesky, who leaves Goochland on June 30. Stamey will be vested with all powers and duties of a county administrator as described in state law.

Derek Stamey

Stamey began his employment with Goochland as Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Management in 2009 as the county sought to consolidate and streamline operations during the great recession. In December 2016, he was named Deputy County Administrator for Operations. In that role, Stamey oversees animal protection; general services; parks and recreation; the Goochland Extension Office; and major capital construction.

In June 2019, Stamey was awarded the Marcia Mashaw Outstanding Assistant Award by the Virginia Local Government Management Association (VLGMA) in recognition of several accomplishments. VLGMA is a non-profit, non-partisan organization composed primarily of city, town, and county managers and key members of their management teams. These include his leadership role in renovating and restoring the Central High School Cultural and Educational Complex.

Board Chair Susan Lascolette, District 1, said that the supervisors have confidence that the county is in good hands with Stamey’s leadership.

Stamey said “I want to express what an honor and privilege it is to serve this board and citizens.  I’ve come to know this county as a wonderful place to serve. We have an unbelievable staff of wonderful talented individuals. I look forward to work with this staff, our constitutional officers and our counterparts in the schools to keep Goochland steady and on the right track.”

The supervisors authorized the county administrator to execute a contract with Blakemore Construction for a change order not to exceed $268,000 to finalize construction on roads in the Bridgewater subdivision.

May this be the final step on a long road to correct issues resulting from an oversight that allowed a road bond for the subdivision to lapse before construction was completed.  According to staff, many “robust discussions have been held about the situation with VDOT—the state agency whose motto is “Oops!—, which was likened to “Lucy with the football” refusing to accept changes it required. In addition to county funds, a service district was created to collect part of the cost to bring the roads into the state system on all Bridgewater property owners. Policies and procedures have been put into place to ensure that such a lapse will never again occur.

Announcement of a new broadband initiative for western Goochland, the main event, was moved to the back of the agenda because a presenter was caught in traffic.

Last September, Goochland County announced a ten-step initiative to bring hi speed internet to the entire county, which was never considered to be a “one size fits all” endeavor. (See  broadband initiative focusing on 10 Steps to Broadband Internet Initiatives (PDF) for details.)

Budesky said that Covid 19 made providing access to broadband for the entire county more urgent than ever. In recent months, local enterprises have been brining broadband to underserved parts of Goochland. These include Evan Weiner of Hosted Backbone (https://www.hostedbackbone.net/) who brought internet  to the Crozier area and continues to expand service, and Stan Corn of BOIP (https://myboip.com/) who is helping residents in other parts of the county get wireless internet access.

Goochland recently joined Central Virginia Electric Coop (CVEC) with an announcement that the utility will bring broadband to about 800 of its customers in the west end of the county in the very near future. For some time, Goochland has searched for solid partners to bring affordable high-speed internet to underserved rural areas.

Gary Wood of CVEC and Melissa Gay, Dennis Reese general manager of Firefly Fiber Broadband were in attendance. Wood thanked the county staff, supervisors and Economic Development Authority for their input and cooperation. 

Wood explained that CVEC was formed in 1937 to provide essential utilities in rural and sparsely populated markets. It touches parts of 14 counties, does not seek to make profits, but must break even in its operations.  (see https://www.mycvec.com/)

To deliver better electric service CVEC, needs hi-speed internet communication throughout its service area, but cannot afford to build it only for that purpose. Offering internet to its customers improves electric service and helps offset cost of infrastructure, which Wood estimated at $120 million. All CVEC customers will have internet access by the end of 2022, if all goes well.  These include Goochland customers in the Carterville and Shannon Hill areas. (See the video for a map of the proposed expansion areas. These fall into different categories, depending on funding sources. GOMM will share this when it becomes available.)

Under Virginia law, electric coops are not permitted to sell internet services or own fiber outside their service areas but may form subsidiaries to do so. A wholly owned subsidiary of CVEC, Firefly (https://www.fireflyva.com/) fills that role outside CVEC service area.

(See https://www.cooperative.com/news/pages/new-virginia-law-aids-electric-co-ops-building-broadband.aspx for an article discussing how removal of regulatory road blocks helps this expansion.)

The proposed grant application partnership between Goochland and Firefly will create a mechanism to bring broadband to approximately 75 to 80 percent of unserved areas. This is a massive project projected to cover about one quarter of Goochland homes.

Budesky said that a lot of time and effort, especially by Paul Drumwright, who runs point on the issue, has been put in by staff to identify solid partners for broadband expansion. Goochland was careful in this process.

To view the entire presentation, go to https://www.goochlandva.us/943/Video-of-Past-BOS-Meetings beginning at about the 18 minute mark.

Wood said that there is a “plan B’ to secure financing for the project if the grant is not secured, which could delay buildout beyond the current time frame.

Firefly has no service contracts, no exit fee, costs per month are 100 megabit per second up and down $49.99; 1 gigabit per second, $79.99. Wood said it is important to keep the monthly costs in the $50 dollar range to serve the rural demographic. It will also offer voice over internet (VOIP). A $100 installation fee will be waived for customers who sign up during construction. CVEC customers will have no additional cost to bring service to the house. If the grant is secured, Firefly customers will not have a connection cost. Wood said that the presence of fiber backhaul can also improve cell phone service.

In Goochland, Wood explained, there will be different funding sources including grants, loans. Firefly will need to finance approximately $2.5 million. Wood said he wants to explore this with the EDA, which has met in closed session at its recent meetings, presumably to discuss the Firefly proposal.

Wood asked residents who want to support the grant to visit https://www.usda.gov/reconnect and weigh in on the matter. “We believe that there are fewer than ten percent of homes in western Goochland served by hi speed internet, but it never hurts to have people who need the service confirm the need.”

Stay tuned, this looks like the real deal, at long last.

Highlights of June 2 Goochland Board Meeting

Goochland County offices are open as of June 8, 2020. Go to county website goochlandva.us for complete details.

Once again, Goochland supervisors held their monthly meeting via electronic means, limiting physical attendance to staff, and, for evening public hearings, applicants. (Video of the entire meeting available on the county website under past recorded meetings.)

Many items on the agenda were of the housekeeping variety. The Board once again approved emergency actions taken by the County Administrator, John Budesky, for Covid 19 response.

VDOT

Speed studies are various locations around the county are on hold due to low traffic counts resulting from the Covid 19 stay-at-home orders.

Construction has begun at the intersection of Rt. 288 and Broad Street Road at the east end of the county. Vegetation removal and some excavation in progress since work began at the end of March.

Fire-Rescue

An uptick in fire calls occurred as people stayed home. Fire Marshal Doug Davies created a short video with fire prevention tips go to view. He reminded people not to flick lit cigarettes into mulch beds, which can easily start fires. He also urged residents to exercise great care when burning yard debris to prevent these blazes from starting brush fires, which can be very difficult to extinguish. Grill safety and having working smoke alarms was also emphasized. The video is available on the Goochland Fire-Rescue Facebook page.

Fire-Rescue has been working closely with the Chickahominy Health District, including proving mobile Covid 19 testing for residents unable to travel to Central High for the May 21 testing event.

Residents are encouraged to promptly call 911 for help with illness and injury. Goochland EMS is ready and able respond to all emergencies taking special precautions for Covid 19. Do not wait to call 911—early response saves lives and can reduce complications.

Goochland Fire-Rescue and Emergency Management was presented with the Gold “Mission Lifeline” award by the American Heart Association on May 18. “This is a direct reflection of the department’s ability to deliver state-of-the art prehospital cardiac and stroke care, all-encompassing of Cardiac and STEMI patient care protocols, including Pre-Hospital 12 Lead EKGs performed in a timely manner, and transport to the appropriate hospital, a PCI Center (Cath Lab). This award is truly a TEAM acknowledgement. Special thanks to our Operational Medical Directors, Department Leadership, County Administration, and the Board of Supervisors for supporting our department in all the ways they do, making possible the medical direction, protocols, training, funding, and the lifesaving equipment to provide the level of care for Goochland.”

Float times

Summer is here and people are taking to the water. Every year, fire-rescue publishes “Float times” between various places on the James River.  Those unfamiliar with the James often vastly underestimate the amount of time it takes to travel from western Goochland to the Maidens landing resulting in unnecessary emergency calls.

July public hearings

The supervisors set public hearings at their July 7 meeting for ordinance amendments to: exempt some categories of agricultural equipment from tangible personal property tax; to increase the fee included in court costs from $10 to $20 to help fund courthouse security and related personnel;  to modify the definition of animal abandonment; to consider changes in procurement procedures for goods, services. And capital projects; and to increase the time frame from one to five years to sue on a performance bond from completion of the contract including all warranties and guarantees, or from discovery of the defect or breach of warranty. These proposed ordinance amendments would bring Goochland laws into agreement with state laws. (See June 2 board packet pages 87-105 for details.)

Farm Tire Program

A program to collect used farm tires and properly dispose of them was discussed. Currently, Goochland convenience centers only take up to 24-inch tires, far smaller than those used on agricultural equipment.  Disposal of the larger tires is a problem for farmers. Dumping them in a field could create breeding grounds for mosquitos. Saw blades to cut them into pieces are expensive. A fee of $30 per tire—the cost to administer, store and transport them to an approved tire disposal facility is proposed. Derek Stamey, Deputy County Administrator for Operations, said that the proposed fee resulted from discussion with local farmers. More detailed discussion will occur at the July 7 Board meeting.

Money

Goochland County has received $2,078,358 from the federal CARES act, Director of Finance, Barbara Horlacher gave a brief and preliminary overview of possible uses for the money. As with most federal funds, there are restrictions for use of this money. Horlacher is working with county departments and agencies to determine the impact of Covid 19 response had on their budgets and which of those expenditures, if any, are eligible for CARES reimbursement. “It’s complicated in a lot of ways,” she said. Use of CARES funds will be examined during the county’s annual audit. Horlacher indicated that the county is working with its auditors, PB Mares, to ensure that the funds are used properly.

Horlacher said that unexpected expenditures, including laptops for county employees to work remotely, Covid 19 related overtime for public safety employees, and capital expenditures like plexiglass shields and an external drop box could be included. A portion could go to the school division for Covid 19 expenses. Going forward, a monthly list of possible CARES eligible expenditures will be presented to the supervisors for appropriation. The money, Horlacher said, would be “quarantined as a liability” in accountant speak, and not be dumped into general revenue.

The proposed budget for fiscal year 2021, which begins on July 1, presented last February is but a pleasant memory. Since the Covid 19 lockdown, the county adopted reduced spending plans for both the current and future fiscal year because continuing county finances were a great unknown. Each month provides a real time update for the supervisors. So far, Horlacher reported, revenues are a bit ahead of revised expectations.

Budget amendments presented to the supervisors for approval were appropriation of $216,110, part of a Community Development Block Grant to the Department of Social Services. This money can be sued to help DSS clients with rent and other expenses during Covid; and $200k from the CARES money to the capital improvement plan to pay for protective health measures, including those in the DMV Select office.

Revenue projections for the current fiscal year, with the first half taxes due June 5 with a non-penalty extension to July 5, are still best guesses. A clearer picture, said Horlacher, will be available in July.

School Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Raley discussed requested amendments to the school budget. 

“This is a way to maintain the status quo and our standard of excellence,” Raley said. here are very few things known in this process beyond the level funding local transfer. Schools are heavily dependent on sales tax revenues which Raley expected to decline by nine percent and a decrease in lottery proceeds, both unknowns. As 20 percent of the school budget comes from state funds, whose amount is the great unknown. Ultimate costs associated with Covid response going forward compound the unknown. 

The schools will operate within their means, declared Raley, cautioning that there may be unknown costs going forward. Raley estimated a $375 per student cost for Covid 19 operational changes. The supervisors approved reallocation of school CIP funds, that involved no new expenditures, moving money from one project to another.

Public hearings

The board approved an amended conditional use permit for Grace Chinese Baptist Church for phase 2 and 3. The church will ultimately consist of $32,000 square feet in three buildings of similar architecture and add 111 parking spaces to the site. The supervisors also agreed to return $5,000 paid at the time the initial CUP was approved for the traffic signal at Manakin and Broad Street, which was funded by VDOT.  

An application for a CUP to add an event venue place of public assembly and short-term rental unhosted filed by Orapax Hunting Preserve, LLC was also approved. The new uses will occur opposite hunting activities to enable the property to generate revenue year round

Moving on

The last year or so has seen many changes in Goochland leadership. A new treasurer, fire-rescue chief, sheriff, two new supervisors, three new school board members, and soon, a new county administrator.

John Budesky, who became county administrator in the summer of 2016, will leave Goochland government on June 30, to become chief executive officer of Hanover County.

John Budesky sworn in by the Hon. Dale Agnew

At the start of their June 2 meeting—held virtually to comply with Covid 19 quarantine guidelines—Goochland supervisors recognized Budesky for a job well done.

Budesky reflected on his time in Goochland. He said that he valued seeing the staff grow and develop as it tackled many challenges during the past four years. He is perhaps proudest of the little things, especially citizen engagement.

One of many town hall meetings.

“Everything we do starts and ends with the citizens,” Budesky said. “We joke that we are a transparent organization but it’s not a joke, it’s a fundamental belief that guides everything we do, and we are better for it.” Budesky reflected on this interesting time with Covid and incidents that cause differences of opinion. “Goochland is not immune. As a community we can recognize areas in which we need to improve and grow. We can do it with civility and trust and respect and respect to bring diverse opinions to the table. There hasn’t been a single day that I have not learned from the team and our citizens, that’s what drives me.”

Budesky and some members of the county's talented staff

Budesky quipped that he has not been shy about expressing his views on many matters to the supervisors and thanked them for allowing him to be frank with them “It allows us to make better decisions.” He said that he will miss entire leadership and administrative team, especially Deputy Clerk Lisa Beczkiewicz. “I’ve made a lot of friends in Goochland, will be a neighbor, and continue to be a friend. There are a lot of things I will never forget. I’m proud of the work we’ve done with the business and agricultural community.  I honor the opportunity you gave me to serve.

There were lots of ribbon cuttings and ground breakings

 “I had big high heels to fill, they will never be filled the way they deserved to be,” Budesky said referencing his predecessor, the late Rebecca T. Dickson. “You can’t plan your life, but there is a time and place for people, the past four years was my time and place to work with this board and very talented team to serve the citizens of Goochland.”

Working together for the good of all

Since taking the reins of county government—the supervisors set policy, the county administrator is responsible for implementing those policies—Budesky built on inherited successes and put his own stamp on Goochland’s trajectory toward excellence.

During his tenure, Budesky participated in ground breakings for the new animal shelter and rehabilitation hospital in West Creek; ribbon cuttings for the Emergency Communications and Operations center; expanded community development space; new Hadensville Company 6 fire-rescue station, Central High School Educational and Cultural Center;  and Agriculture Center.

Budesky continued the cordial and collaborative relationships with constitutional officers, and especially the school division, a phenomenon rare and beautiful in local government. Goochland Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jeremy Raley said “it has truly been a pleasure serving beside John.  I trust his judgment and could always go in (to his office) and shut the door and just talk.”

Budesky and Raley

Administratively Budesky continued Goochland’s excellent reputation for financial matters as the county secure a second AAA bond rating from Moody’s, the smallest county in the nation to secure two such ratings.  He also oversaw completion of a 25-year capital improvement plan, to make sound fiscal decisions for the county’s future.

Thank you, John for keeping Goochland on track. Best of all good things in your new position.

Board Chair Susan Lascolette presents proclamation to  John Budesky on June 2 (photo courtesy of Goochland County).

The supervisors met in closed session to discuss appointment of an interim county administrator during the search for Budesky’s successor. Go to the county website goochlandva.us to read the recruitment brochure and go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z66WCKC  by June 8 to participate in a survey about qualities needed in our next county administrator.