February in the board room

 

While the ground hog searched for its shadow—does that mean twelve more months of Covid—Goochland’s supervisors held their monthly meeting.

Thanks to VDOT and all of its contractors for a great snow removal job following Sunday’s storm.

Audit Committee

 Before the regular session, the Audit Committee held its first meeting of the year and discussed the revenue stabilization policy in anticipation of the county seeking its third AAA bond rating. According to Audit Committee Chair, District 5 supervisor Ken Peterson, no other county in the nation the size of Goochland has scored a hat trick of AAA ratings. If obtained it will help Goochland secure favorable terms when borrowing large sums of money. A bond referendum is expected to be on the ballot in November’s general election. Items expected to be funded by bond revenues include a new Goochland Elementary School, a replacement for our almost 200-year-old Circuit Court House, and a fire-rescue station in West Creek.

Fire-Rescue

Although there have been no announcements of vaccination clinics for the general public in Goochland, the county working closely with the Chickahominy Health District, is seeking ways to get a needle in the arm of all Goochlanders who want to get inoculated.

Goochland Fire-Rescue Chief D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. reported that his agency is working with regional vaccination clinics and a Covid hotline. Approximately 28 Goochland fire-rescue personnel are working extra shifts at the Richmond Raceway and other vaccination clinics, said Ferguson. Citizen Emergency Response Team members and other emergency services volunteers are manning a Covid hotline. (Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=552)

 Goochland is exploring options for the best local vaccination strategy. Ferguson explained that Goochland does have a plan for local vaccination clinics but cannot put it into action without a supply of vaccine. The county is exploring options to obtain vaccine, but shots are in short supply and competition for existing supplies is fierce. Go to  https://www.goochlandva.us/943/Video-of-Past-BOS-Meetings at about the 20-minute mark to hear Ferguson’s update on the vaccine situation. Everyone is frustrated by the situation.

 

Ferguson thanked HCA and Bon Secours hospital systems for offering vaccinations to fire-rescue personnel in December, well before other clinics were available.

Covid patient transports have kept pace with case increases and can take an ambulance and its crew out of service for an extended time. After transporting a suspected Covid patient, UVA lights and foggers thoroughly clean the ambulance. The crew showers and puts on a fresh uniform to prevent spread of the virus before resuming their shift.

The Chief praised all those involved in dealing with the many challenges to public safety created by the pandemic and thanked them for their commitment to community service.

Ferguson urged everyone to exercise caution and care when disposing of fireplace ashes. At least two recent fires were caused by ashes that were still “live”. One fire was caused by ashes set on a deck, another by ashes spread at the edge of field, which started a brush fire that consumed a shed. Fireplace ashes when compacted can hold heat for days said Ferguson. They should be stored in a metal container, drenched completely with water, and placed well away from any flammable items, including brush and dry grass.

Real Estate Assessments

On January 15, real estate assessments for calendar year 2021 were mailed to all property owners. County Assessor Mary Ann Davis presented an update on county valuations.  Appeals may be filed until February 15. Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/318/Real-Estate-Assessments for more information.

Before Covid, real estate assessed values for 2021 were forecast to rise about five percent over 2020. After Covid, no increase in property values was expected. However, due to booming home sales, and some economic development activity, valuations in Goochland rose net of land use and new construction, 6.9 percent to $6.12 billion. Of that, $84 million is new construction, which is 1.5 percent of the overall increase in value. As recently as November 2020 the forecast valuation increase over 2020 was five percent. Davis attributed the robust rise in assessed valuations to increased construction costs and lack of inventory, which has created a “seller’s market”. Davis said that an additional increase of five to six percent is forecast for 2022.

Fair market value for land in the Tuckahoe Creek Service District is $1.48 billion, land use assessments are $662 million. Approximately 51 percent of property in Goochland participates in land use. As Jonathan Lyle, Director of the Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District often points out “cows do not put children in our schools or call 911” or use other tax payer funded services. Everyone natters on about preserving Goochland’s rural character, and that means farms. Property in land use is taxed on a per acre basis using an amount set by the state. To be eligible for land use taxation, property must be actively engaged in agriculture, or forestall use and meet other requirements.  Should property be removed from the land use taxation program roll back taxes—the difference between land use and fair market value must be paid. Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/339/Land-Use for details.

According to Davis, as of January 1, 2021, 80.85 percent of valuations are residential, the remaining 19.15 percent commercial. In 2020, the split was 80.76/19.24.

Tax rates for calendar year 2021 will be set in April. Retention of the current tax rate of .53 per $100 of assessed valuation could result in a larger tax bill for county landowners. It is expected that the ad valorem tax levied on property in the TCSD will remain at its current .32 per $100 of valuation on top of the .53 rate.

County Budget update

Director of Finance Barbara Horlacher presented second quarter FY2021 general fund projects and budget amendments. Since Covid, Horlacher given the board monthly updates on the county’s financial positions.

Once again, revenues are ahead of expenses. Horlacher said that revenues are projected to exceed the FY21 budget by approximately $5.1 million due to higher than budget real estate, personal property, and sales taxes. Overall revenues are projected to exceed budgeted amounts by $7.2 million. A more precise picture of FY2021 will be available in the third quarter report in May.

The board voted to approve budget amendments and general fund transfers in FY21 budget by a total of $495,000.

 

 

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