Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Miscellaneous stuff
Economic development
Last week, Goochland County announced that Greenswell Growers will invest $17 million to build and operate a hydroponic greenhouse to grow “leafy greens”. Greenswell purchased a 29.61-acre parcel on the east side of Hockett Road a bit south of the Reader’s Branch community under development. The property is part of West Creek.
County economic development worked with the Virginia Department of Agriculture to bring Greenswell Growers to Goochland. A $130,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund was secured to assist Goochland County with the project, which the county will match. Funding and services to support the company’s job creation will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. The project will bring 27 jobs to Goochland.
The county match will take the form of property tax rebates after certain performance thresholds are achieved. The facility is in the Tuckahoe Creek Service District and will pay the 32 cents per $100 of assessed value ad valorem tax, which is levied on all properties in the TCSD.
Greenswell Growers will create internships for students enrolled in Goochland High School Career Technical and Educational programs. It has pledged to donate five per cent of its anticipated 3.7-million-pound annual production to the Goochland Cares food pantry and FeedMore, the Richmond-based non-profit that fights hunger. It will use natural and artificial light to grow greens year ’round. Hydroponic farming increases crop yield 28 times more per acre than traditional methods.
Greenswell Growers, which melds agriculture and technology, brings yet another new use to West Creek without adding more “dwelling units”. According to Casey Verburg, Goochland Economic Development Coordinator for new business, once in operation, the facility is expected to add one or two daily truck trips to Hockett Road. Products will not be sold on site but should be available in local grocery outlets. Go to https://greenswellgrowers.com/ for more information.
Goochland Economic Development has several programs to help local small businesses stay afloat during the pandemic.
The latest initiative is the Goochland Back to Business grant program. The Board of Supervisor approved use of $150k of the federal CARES act funds received by the county to fund these grants. It is a one-time emergency grant available to local for-profit enterprise to help defray unplanned costs associated with pandemic related business interruptions. Grants will be awarded on a first come basis. Go to http://www.goochlandforbusiness.com/241/COVID-19-Business-Information for details on this and other programs to help existing businesses deal with the impact of the pandemic.
Covid
According to the Virginia Department of Health Covid dashboard, https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-daily-dashboard/Goochland experienced a 30 case spike according to reports recorded as of 5 p.m. on August 25. Additional information on the positivity surge is not available, said Caitlin Hodge of the Chickahominy Health District, which includes Goochland, for privacy concerns. She said that the turnaround for tests to be processed and their results recorded is between 48 hours to more than five days. The statewide positivity rate reported today is 6.4 percent. Johns Hopkins reports a positivity rate for Virginia of 5.8 percent. There are regional, but not local positivity reports.
While cases reported in the county had been increasing by a few daily, 30 new cases in one day has not happened before. The total number of cases in Goochland SINCE MARCH now stands at 212. No additional Covid related deaths—that grim statistic remains at seven including one offender at Virginia Correctional Center for Women—have been reported by VDH since July 27. Covid-related hospitalizations for Goochland have also remained steady at 25 since July 27. These numbers are cumulative.
Privacy concerns prevent VDH from releasing more specific information, according to Hodge. Virginia does not report on recoveries.
Schools
Goochland County’s school year began on August 24. Cheers, kudos, and prayers for continued success go out to all involved in this endeavor.
Our school division was recently earned a perfect rating for the second consecutive year on the Virginia Department of Education on both performance and metrics in special education. Go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NE5mDwBMsDslkTF32CibhEPWPH31T9z9/view for the full report.
Friday, August 21, 2020
Playing close to home
Housebound Goochlanders looking for a place close to hone to get outside and safely have some fun discovered county parks. According to Interim County Administrator Derek Stamey, whose responsibilities include oversight of our recreational venues, our parks have experienced a huge surge in use since Covid changed the world
The county has several parks including Hidden Rock, near the central convenience center and animal shelter; Leakes Mill on Rt. 6 west of Rock Castle Road, which has playing fields and a regionally renowned mountain bike trail, built largely by volunteers; Matthews Park, on Matthews Road north of Hadensville-Fife Road; and the Central High School Educational and Cultural Center on Dogtown Road. (See https://www.goochlandva.us/Facilities?clear=False for a complete list.)
Goochland is bounded on the south by the James River, a glorious natural and recreational resource that, due to the barrier of CSX railroad tracks that run mostly along the river, Goochland access to the James was almost non-existent. However, in Courthouse Village, south of River Road West, the tracks are set back from the river. In 2007 the county purchased riverfront property on both sides of the Rt. 522 bridge from the Tucker family. It became Tucker Park at Maidens Landing, perhaps the brightest star in the constellation of county parks.
Tucker Park riverfront today.
Soon after the park was established, the Goochland Chamber of Commerce organized a task force to reconnect citizens with the James River and clean up the site. This group morphed into the Friends of Goochland Parks (https://www.friendsofgoochlandparks.com/) a non-profit organization that raises funds, organizes volunteers, and otherwise brings people together to celebrate the river and Goochland.
Local businesses and volunteers donated their time, talents, and treasure to transform the area into a community recreation area.
Amenities on the west side of Tucker Park include a mile-long walking trail, the CarMax Cares outdoor amphitheater, picnic tables, a butterfly garden, a dog park, fishing, and a playground. The east side includes a non-motorized boat launch ramp, and a planned archery range. Linking both sides of the park without crossing Rt.522, the busy road to Powhatan, has been an elusive goal since the park’s creation.
In 2008, the county adopted guidelines to implement the Virginia Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 (PPEA). In March 2019, the county issued a request for proposals (RFP) to build an asphalt path on the ground under the bridge. The county contracted with the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for $138,000 in June 2019. According to the August 4 board of supervisors’ packet, that contract was terminated “for convenience” before any work began.
In September 2019, John K. George & Co. (JKG) a Richmond-based regional marine construction firm submitted an unsolicited proposal adhering to PPEA guidelines to build an alternately designed above grade timber boardwalk between both sides of Tucker Park for $140,000. In November 2019, the supervisors directed staff to evaluate the proposals and post a public notice that the county would consider competing proposals. None were received by the December 27, 2019 deadline.
A schematic of the connector. (Goochland County photo)
As proposed, the connector would be approximately 200 feet in length and eight feet wide, built from above using cantilevered equipment for minimal impact on wetlands. In its 36-year history, JKG has significant experience in the design and construction of marine projects. Projects completed by JKG include: the Hopewell Riverwalk; the Battersea Pedestrian Trail Bridge; and a timber pier through a wetland in Prince Georges County using specially designed equipment.
Overhead view of Tucker Park connector location circled. Goochland County photo.
The Tucker Park proposal includes all design, permitting, and construction associated with the project.
Stamey said that the proposed boardwalk connector would be sheltered from debris that routinely collects under the Maidens Bridge by existing bridge stanchions. It will be supported by heavy round timber pilings; have timber decking and 42-inch-high railings; and be fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, so everyone can enjoy the park. The most extensive routine maintenance that Stamey foresees is power washing the structure after flooding. The proposal contends that this approach to the connector is an “elegant and affordable solution to a project that is already planned for and desired by the County.”
A similar project completed by JKG.(Goochcland County photo)
Stamey said that if the supervisors authorize execution of the contract at their September 1 meeting, JKG will begin the permitting and design process. Given the location, permits are required from many agencies including VDOT, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. If all the stars align, Stamey expects completion of the project sometime during summer, 2021.
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Goochland accepting apllications for Back to Business grants
Goochland Accepting Applications to Help Businesses Get ‘Back to Business’ Through Grant Program
Goochland, VA – Goochland County and Goochland Economic Development are excited to announce the Goochland Back to Business grant program is now accepting applications to help support local businesses during the ongoing pandemic. The application portal opened on August 20, 2020 and will remain open until December 1, 2020 or until funds are depleted.
The Goochland County Board of Supervisors approved and appropriated funds for the new grant program at their meeting on August 4, 2020.
The Goochland Back to Business Grant is funded by a portion of the CARES Act funding that Goochland received from the state. It is focused on reimbursing businesses the cost of complying with the Governor’s guidelines related to reopening businesses. Allowable reimbursements can include:
- Redesign of structure or operations to meet social distancing requirements.
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and/or sanitation supplies for the business and its employees.
- Signage.
- Thermometers to check temperatures.
- Protective equipment for customers such as sneeze guards, social distance floor stickers, etc.
- Technological improvements (such as e-commerce platforms and point of sale software) and technological equipment (such as tablets for processing touch-free orders).
- Supplies related to change in operations, i.e. takeout/carryout containers for restaurants.
Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 and are based on the number of employees and documented reimbursable expenses.
- 1 - 25: up to $5,000
- 26 - 49: up to $8,000
- 50 - 150: up to $10,000
All for-profit businesses with 1-150 employees with documented expenses may apply. Businesses must be in business over 1-year, with principal place of business physically in Goochland County, and have a valid business license (or be exempt from requirement). Independent contractor and sole proprietors are eligible as well. They must live in Goochland County, operate their business as sole proprietor, pay self-employment tax, not currently receiving unemployment benefits, and must be issued a valid 2020 Business license (or be exempt from requirement).
Grants will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis based on a fully completed application with documented reimbursement requests. Businesses may apply more than once if they make additional purchases. The amount of grant money available for businesses with 50-150 employees is capped at $50,000. Once $50,000 has been disbursed, no further grants will be given for businesses with 50-150 employees.
The following documents will be required for application:
- Impact Statement of negative effect from Executive Order 53 and COVID-19 on applicant business
- Copy/Verification of 2020 business license with Goochland County’s Commissioner of the Revenue (if required)
- Completed W-9 form
- Financial documentation of expenses incurred and paid for by the applicant as a result of the State of Emergency declared by the Governor of Virginia and the Goochland County Board of Supervisors, such as receipts/invoices/bank statements for expenses and proof of payment.
The application portal opened on August 20, 2020 and will remain open until December 1, 2020 or until funds are depleted.
All Goochland businesses are encouraged to visit http://www.
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Paul E. Drumwright | Administrative Services Manager
Goochland County | Administrator's Office
P.O. Box 10
1800 Sandy Hook Road
Goochland, VA 23063
Office: 804-556-5833
Fax: 804-556-4617
Friday, August 14, 2020
School year will have virtual start
At its August 11 meeting, the Goochland School Board voted
to virtually start the 20-21 school year on August 24. Students with inadequate
access to broadband, or other issues may attend socially distanced learning
spaces in school facilities to access virtual lessons. Superintendent of
Schools Dr. Jeremy Raley promised that the school division will work with every
family to ensure that all students have access to educational experiences and
materials regardless of their circumstances.
This was a heart wrenching decision for all involved. During
the school board meeting, Raley said that, since May, all members of “Team
Goochland” have been working to devise methods of virtual teaching. He pledged
that virtual instruction during the upcoming school year will be better than
the spring experience, when the schools were closed for the remainder of the
year without notice.
In July, the school board approved a hybrid of online and in
person start to the school year. Since then, as the number of positive Covid
tests has risen in Goochland—increasing by one or two daily— and in the region,
the plan was revisited. Many people who live in the county work and shop
elsewhere. People who work here live elsewhere. This provides far too many
opportunities for the virus, which ignores county boundaries, to cross
pollinate and spread the pestilence.
As Raley outlined concerns about in person opening, it became
clear that school divisions, even a relatively small one like Goochland, have many
moving parts that must work together to teach children. Mitigation strategies
and other facets of the plan were crafted in conjunction with the Chickahominy
Health District.
The board and school administration said that the plan is
flexible and will be reevaluated as conditions change. To read the plan go to https://docs.google.com/a/glnd.k12.va.us/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=Z2xuZC5rMTIudmEudXN8c2ItYWdlbmRhc3xneDo2YWZlYTM0OWMxY2IzOWVk.
This plan represents a monstrous amount of work by many people.
Thoughtful heartfelt comments made by school board members,
who have been bombarded with communications from parents on all sides of the question,
show that these fine folks: Sandra Barefoot-Reid, District 1; William Quarles,
Jr., District 2; Karen Horne, District 3; Mike Newman, District 4; and board
chair John Wright, District 5, are true public servants. They made a hard
decision that probably pleased few of those involved.
The upcoming school year will be vastly different from any
other. While the challenges of “maximizing the potential if every learner” are
great, there will be opportunities to reevaluate how learning happens. The core
values of Goochland Schools—excellence, creativity, courage, honor, and
optimism—are a road map through Covid disruption. May these trying times teach useful
lessons about navigating the troubled waters of the unknown.
Go to the school website http://goochlandschools.org/ to learn
more about our schools.
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Keeping Goochland Rural
Everyone wants to keep as much of Goochland as rural as
possible. What does that mean? Supporting all manner of agriculture and
educating our kids about where food comes from and stewardship of the land is a good start.
The Virginia Cooperative Extension, https://ext.vt.edu/ based at Virginia Tech the
Commonwealth’s land grant university, provides a wealth of programs and services.
Among them is 4H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, which
has been around for almost a century. (See https://4-h.org/about/history/ for
details.)
Goochland’s Cooperative Extension office is seeking a
part-time 4-H Youth Development Coordinator.
The 4-H Youth
Development Coordinator is a professional educator who provides leadership to
the local 4-H program and manages its day-to-day operation. 4-H is a community of young people learning
leadership, citizenship, and life skills.
The mission of 4-H is to help youth, and adults working with those
youth, to realize their full potential and become effective, contributing
citizens. This is achieved through the
development and delivery of research-based, non-formal, hands-on educational
experiences.
This position will
be housed in the recently renovated Agricultural Center, which is part of the
Central High School Educational and Cultural Center in Sandy Hook.
The 4-H program in
Goochland reflects both its rural history and evolving needs. There are
four existing 4-H clubs: Livestock, Equine, Shooting Sports, and
Trailblazers.
Responsibilities:
·
Coordinate with Goochland County Public Schools
to deliver virtual or in-person programs as needed, such as the 4-H Embryology
Project, Fourth Grade Ag Days, and Junior Master Gardeners
·
Plan, promote, and organize 4-H Camp for
Goochland county youth. Direction will
be provided by the 4-H Agent in Powhatan
·
Serve as a resource for 4-H club leaders and
youth
·
Update Goochland 4-H social media
·
Additional 4-H responsibilities as needed
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) in a relevant
discipline from an accredited college or university is required. This position is part-time and is capped at
20 hours per week. Salary is commensurate
with education and experience. Funding
for this position is available through June 30, 2021. A background check is required.
To apply, please
submit a cover letter and current resume to Nicole Shuman by mail at 2748
Dogtown Road, Goochland, VA 23063 or by email at nks49@vt.edu.
Application review will begin on August 17, 2020.
Virginia Cooperative Extension employees recognize the
importance of diversity and inclusion in the development and delivery of
Extension programs, actively work to diversify program participation, and are
responsible for VCE’s civil rights policies and compliance with affirmative
action.
Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and
employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender,
gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation,
race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any
other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
If you are an
individual with a disability and desire accommodation, please contact the
Goochland Extension Office at 804-556-5841 at least five days before the
application deadline.
Highlights of the August Goochland Board meeting
Goochland supervisors held a more or less normal monthly
meeting on August 4 observing social distancing with seating arrangements and requiring
masks for those in the audience. Lots of hand sanitizer was available.
Board Chair Susan Lascolette, District 1, declared that the
supervisors, county, and staff do not tolerate discrimination based on race,
religion, sexual orientation or any other unlawful factor and will not allow it
in the future. “Our focus is on our community. Our practice has been to
identify problems and find ways to address them. To that end, we are moving
from talk to action,” said Lascolette. “We are asking community leaders to a
work group of diverse individuals to meet in person and have a generally
constructive conversation about race relations and discrimination in Goochland.
We are focused on building a healthier and safer community. We look forward to
engaging with the community on this critical matter.” Law enforcement, public safety, the faith
community, county schools, and social services are among the groups that will
participate.
Wendy Hobbs, President of the Goochland NAACP thanked the
board for this initiative.
Lascolette and Ken Peterson, District 5, discussed the refinancing
of the Tuckahoe Creek Service District debt. (See GOMM Money in the time of
Covid for details.) Peterson praised the county staff for providing all county
services through the emergency on budget and time. He thanked and congratulated
staff for their extraordinary efforts in these difficult times.
Interim county administrator Derek Stamey said that county
operations are currently in phase three and will remain so until further
direction is received from state authorities.
Goochland dodged a bullet from damage resulting from
Hurricane Isaias, observed Stamey. Although fire-rescue and deputies were busy
in the early morning hours, there was little damage. County offices opened on
time.
Stamey reported that renovations to the 522 wing of the
building are underway. Changes in location of the Treasurer’s Office will be
communicated in advance of any move. In the 15 years since local government moved
into a newly renovated “old” high school, space needs of many departments have
evolved. The registrar’s office moved into the building behind the admin
building after the extension office moved to the Central High School Educational
and Cultural Center.
He urged those who have not yet responded to the 2020 census
to do so. No details of the census will be released for 72 years. Data from the
current count will be used to determine population trends that guide funding
allocation for infrastructure including roads and schools.
Goochland Fire-Rescue Chief D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. reported
that his department had been on the road all morning dealing with storm related
incidents. The county’s emergency operations center (EOC) opened virtually on
high alert to ensure a quick response to calls for assistance from county
residents.
Most of the emergency responses on August 4 involved downed
trees, especially those entwined with fallen power lines.
Ferguson reported that emergency call volume increased as the
world returns to more normal conditions. Fire-rescue response times continue
their downward trend that began last October when each of the county’s six
fire-rescue stations were staffed 24/7 thanks to an increase in career responders.
Employment offers have been made to fill three new positions authorized as of
July 1. Each station now has a career officer. Upgrades to existing dry
hydrants, which enable firefighters to draw water for fire suppression
activities from static sources including, ponds, streams, and underground
storage tanks, are underway. To date, 42 repairs have been completed, including
some that required the use of divers to unclog submerged strainers. Work on ten
more dry hydrants is in process.
In person training has resumed for fire-rescue responders.
Ferguson thanked volunteer and career fire-rescue personnel; dispatchers; and deputies for their dedication, skill, and
commitment to public service. “It’s an honor to serve with this team,” he said.
Lascolette said it is comforting to know that Goochland has such
competent and caring people there when we need them.
Consent agenda:
·
Approval of an amended contract between
Goochland Powhatan Community Services Board and the Virginia Department of
Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. (The complete contract begins on
page 61 of the August 4 board packet, available on the county website gooclandva.us)
The governing body must approve the performance agreement in order for the CSB
to receive state funding.
·
Set a public hearing for September 1 on an
ordinance amendment to remove two parcels s from the Tuckahoe Creek Service District.
This is permitted if parcels of equal or greater value entered the district
during the previous two years.
·
Set a September 1 public hearing to establish a satellite
absentee voting location in the parks and rec gym behind the administration
building to handle an expected increase in absentee voting.
·
Authorized the interim county administrator to
execute an amended agreement with Department of Corrections for expanded
utility capacity in Courthouse Village.
·
Authorized interim county administrator to
execute an amendment to the incentive agreement with Lickinghole Creek Craft
Brewery, LLC extending the deadline to November 30, 2021. The extension was
requested because the economic downturn created by Covid restrictions made it
impossible for the brewery to meet conditions of the original agreement.
Progress reports are required during the extension. The Economic Development Authority
is also expected to approve this amendment at its August 19 meeting.
· Approve a resolution requesting VDOT to accept the roads in Reader’s Branch Section 1 into the secondary system of state highways for maintenance.
Director of Public Utilities Matt Longshore presented an updated master utilities plan, which the supervisors adopted. See packet for details.
At the conclusion of the afternoon
session, the supervisors met in closed session to continue their deliberations
regarding selection of a new county administrator. The board met offsite in
closed session on July 28 and will meet again in closed session at the admin building
on August 14 to continue recruitment activities. Selecting a county administrator,
the county chief executive officer, is second only to stewardship of public
funds in the duties of the board.
Public hearings:
During
its evening session, items approved by the board following public hearings
included:
·
An application filed by Richard Dane requesting
a conditional use permit (CUP) for automobile sales at 2799 Sandy Hook Road.
This property was formerly the site of Woodson Auto Sales, Dane intends to
operate a similar enterprise.
·
A CUP application filed by Martin Marietta
Materials, Inc. for parcels adjoining its existing site on the west side of
Ashland Road north of Interstate 64 for accessory quarry uses including
overburden storage, a processing plant, offices, and processing equipment. This
will include extensive natural buffering and a berm between Rockville Road and overburden
storage. There will be no access to the site from Rockville Road. The
presentation explained that the overburden will not be an “80-foot-tall dirt
mountain” as some opponents claimed.
·
A budget amendment that exceeds one percent of
the approved budget.
·
An ordinance amendment to change the time frame
for action on a surety on a performance bond from one to five years from the
completion of a contract and to clarify when a contract has been completed. This will bring local statutes into agreement
with state law.
See the board packet and review
the livestream of past meetings available on the county website goochlandva.us
for details.
Sunday, August 9, 2020
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Money in the time of Covid
If you are so inclined, please pray for all involved in our educational
system who must make difficult decisions and hard choices regarding the
upcoming school year. Following a lengthy and somewhat contentions school board
meeting on Tuesday evening, the school board deferred its vote on a revised,
mostly virtual, reopening plan until its August 11 meeting.
The Goochland Board of Supervisors held its monthly meeting
on August 4. Ribbon cutting ceremonies for the new business center and registrar’s
office were rescheduled to September 1 due to the hurricane, which happily was
out of the county by mid-morning.
The county audit committee met before the board’s afternoon
session. Mike Garber, CPA, MBA, who is a partner and state and local government
co-team leader of PBMares, https://www.pbmares.com/
the county’s outside auditor, explained the ground rules for completing Goochland’s
Certified Annual Financial Report (CAFR). He said that a manager and partner will be
onsite during the audit process to answer questions and make decisions. PBMares
has completed the county CAFR, which will be completed by the end of November,
for several years. It will focus on financial operations of the county and school
division. Related activities include Virginia Retirement System tests.
Covid restrictions, said Garber, and working remotely require more effort. The
Commonwealth has mandated that social services audits must be done in person. Garber
confirmed that Goochland remains a low risk auditee.
Due to the virus, new Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB)
regulations for 2020 have been delayed. Guidance about proper use of CARES fund
disbursements and other federal Covid relief programs has not yet be released, said
Garber. This could require completion of additional reports after the CAFR is
finalized, which Garber said is not that unusual.
Audit Committee Chair Ken Peterson, District 5 said that
Goochland financial operations are “better and stronger” for PBMares’ oversight
and guidance.
Director of Social Services Kimberly Jefferson commended
PBMares for being so “good and helpful” during the audit process. As social
services is funded by a myriad of sources and participates in many different
state and federal programs, its audit is especially complicated. Jefferson and
staff work extremely hard to comply with a bewildering array of regulations.
Peterson announced that the county has refinanced a
significant portion of the Tuckahoe Service District Debt, which at one time threatened
the county’s solvency. Last fall, the supervisors authorized financial advisors
to investigate opportunities to refinance some of the debt at rates
substantially lower than those secured in a 2012 bond issuance. The board set a three percent savings target.
The projected savings resulting from the refinancing is 15.2 percent or
approximately $8.5 million. On July 29, the county closed on $61.3 million of
bonds sold through the Virginia Resources Authority to partially replace the
2012 bonds.
Continued TCSD growth with accompanying appreciation in its real
estate, should retirement these bonds sooner rather than later possible. When
the debt is satisfied, the 32 cents per $100 of valuation ad valorem tax levied
on all TCSD property will end. In addition, 100 percent of real estate tax revenue
resulting from appreciation over the 2004 assessed valuation threshold will go to
county coffers. Currently, 55 percent of that revenue is used for debt service.
Goochlanders paid their first half taxes at a rate slightly
less than normal, said Treasurer Pam Duncan. She was less optimistic about second half
payments due in December. Duncan estimated that 85 percent of real estate taxes
are paid by mortgage companies. She cautioned that some residents are living off
their savings and may be unable to pay their personal property tax bills at the
end of the year.
Director of Finance, Barbara Horlacher presented a
preliminary budget update for FY 2020, which ended on June 30.
Horlacher reported that, for FY 2020, which ended on June
30, the county is in good shape. Revenues came in well ahead of the budget
adopted in April based on expectations of drastic revenue shortfalls.
Expenditures were below budgeted amounts, resulting in a projected surplus (the
final numbers are not quite in) of $5.4 million. Peterson commended county staff,
especially the Sheriff’s Office and Fire-Rescue, for continuing to provide a
high level of service to citizens under difficult conditions in a fiscally
responsible manner. He also commended citizens for paying their taxes in these
trying times.
A list of budget
amendments to fund items removed from the pre-Covid budget was presented to the
supervisors for approval following a public hearing at the evening session.
State law requires localities that intend to amend budgets by an amount greater
than one percent of their current adopted budget to hold a public hearing on
the matter before voting. The combined budget amendments were approximately
$1.5 million, greater than one percent of the FY2021 budget in force since July
1.
A $50k sum appropriated for a broadband study was returned
to the general fund. The partnership recently announced between the county and
CVEC and its wholly owned subsidiary Firefly Broadband will perform this study
at its own expense. Horlacher said that
using CARES funds for broadband expansion may not be possible.
Items to be funded by the amendment—mostly capital
improvement items— include eight new sheriff vehicles; a new ambulance; a new
rescue boat; a replacement backhoe for the convenience center; the information
technology replacement cycle; and $150k of CARES act funds to the Goochland
Economic Development Authority for local small business grants.
Extensive documentation of expenses to deal with Covid will
be required to qualify for reimbursement under these grants. These could
include restaurants who need to buy tents or print new menus. The application portal
is scheduled to open on August 20. Go to http://www.goochlandforbusiness.com/241/COVID-19-Business-Information for more information. #GoochlandForBusiness
Neil Spoonhower, District 2 said “We don’t know what the
future will bring, but we are very grateful for everyone for stepping up and
paying their taxes. We will spend it wisely for the citizens for what we need.”
Peterson cautioned that while FY2020 ended on a positive
note, the future may not be as bright. The board will review the county’s
current fiscal each month going forward and adjust as warranted.
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Goochland Helping Businesses Get ‘Back to Business’ Through Grant Program
Goochland Helping Businesses Get ‘Back to Business’ Through Grant Program
Goochland, VA – Goochland County and Goochland Economic Development are excited to announce the Goochland Back to Business grant program to support local businesses during the ongoing pandemic. On Tuesday, August 4th, the Goochland County Board of Supervisors approved and appropriated funds for the new grant program.
The Goochland Back to Business Grant is funded by a portion of the CARES Act funding that Goochland received from the state. It is focused on reimbursing businesses the cost of complying with the Governor’s guidelines related to reopening businesses. Allowable reimbursements can include:
- Redesign of structure or operations to meet social distancing requirements.
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and/or sanitation supplies for the business and its employees.
- Signage.
- Thermometers to check temperatures.
- Protective equipment for customers such as sneeze guards, social distance floor stickers, etc.
- Technological improvements (such as e-commerce platforms and point of sale software) and technological equipment (such as tablets for processing touch-free orders).
- Supplies related to change in operations, i.e. takeout/carryout containers for restaurants.
Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 and are based on the number of employees and documented reimbursable expenses.
- 1 - 25: up to $5,000
- 26 - 49: up to $8,000
- 50 - 150: up to $10,000
All for-profit businesses with 1-150 employees with documented expenses may apply. Businesses must be in business over 1-year, with principal place of business physically in Goochland County, and have a valid business license (or be exempt from requirement). Independent contractor and sole proprietors are eligible as well. They must live in Goochland County, operate their business as sole proprietor, pay self-employment tax, not currently receiving unemployment benefits, and must be issued a valid 2020 Business license (or be exempt from requirement).
Grants will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis based on a fully completed application with documented reimbursement requests. Businesses may apply more than once if they make additional purchases. The amount of grant money available for businesses with 50-150 employees is capped at $50,000. Once $50,000 has been disbursed, no further grants will be given for businesses with 50-150 employees.
The following documents will be required for application:
- Impact Statement of negative effect from Executive Order 53 and COVID-19 on applicant business
- Copy/Verification of 2020 business license with Goochland County’s Commissioner of the Revenue (if required)
- Completed W-9 form
- Financial documentation of expenses incurred and paid for by the applicant as a result of the State of Emergency declared by the Governor of Virginia and the Goochland County Board of Supervisors, such as receipts/invoices/bank statements for expenses and proof of payment.
The application portal is scheduled to open on August 20, 2020 and remain open until December 1, 2020 or until funds are depleted.
All Goochland businesses are encouraged to visit http://www.
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Paul E. Drumwright | Administrative Services Manager
Goochland County | Administrator's Office
P.O. Box 10
1800 Sandy Hook Road
Goochland, VA 23063
Office: 804-556-5833
Fax: 804-556-4617
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