Of Covid and financial matters

 

The virtual town hall meeting held by Goochland County outlined the proposed budget for FY 2022, which begins on July 1, discussed vaccinations, and included a presentation by School Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Raley about local educational achievement. To watch the session, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ1RKqD66P4.

Tax rates will likely remain unchanged from last year. However, because revenues generated by the 2021 assessed valuations will be more than a one percent increase over 2020, keeping the rate steady is a tax increase.

(Public hearings on the proposed budget; utility rates, and fee schedule adjustments will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday April 6. The meeting is open to the public. Alternate participation options including Live stream and Zoom are at https://goochlandcountyva.iqm2.com//Citizens/detail_meeting.aspx?ID=1326)

Vaccinations in our county are proceeding at a brisk clip. As of April 4, according to the Virginia Department of Health, (go to https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-in-virginia/ for details) 15,669 “shots” have been administered to Goochlanders, putting us in the top tier of vaccinators. There is still much work to do. If you know of anyone in groups 1a, b, or c seeking a vaccine please ask them to preregister at www.vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682). They can also call the district’s local call center at 804-365-3240 (open Mon. – Fri. from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)  Goochland County 65+ COVID Hotline | (804) 556-5828 for those without internet access. Leave a message and a volunteer will call you back.

 

County Administrator Kenneth A. Young gave a brief overview of the proposed FY 2022 budget at the beginning of the town hall meeting. In essence, the county plans to increase spending on public safety and education. Financing capital improvements, including a new 650 student Goochland Elementary School, circuit courthouse, and a West Creek fire-rescue/public safety facility could involve a bond referendum. A decision on a possible bond referendum will be made in the coming weeks. A three percent merit increase will be given to all county and school employees who went above and beyond the call of duty to deliver governmental services during the pandemic.

In addition to the strains placed on their workload by the pandemic, our intrepid LEOs, led by Sheriff Steven Creasey, dealt with protests in Courthouse Village last month, which diverted deputies form other duties to keep order in Courthouse Village.

The proposed budget (go to https://www.goochlandva.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1925 for complete document) includes funding for seven of the eight deputies requested by Creasey. When all new positions are filled, the Sheriff’s Office, the primary law enforcement agency for Goochland, will have 48 full time and one part time employee to provide 24/7 coverage for the entire county, whose land area is slightly larger than that of Henrico County.

The FY22 proposed budget also includes seven full-time and five part-time fire-rescue employees, one of which will be a battalion chief.  Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services Chief D.E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. explained that, as his agency adds career personnel to the combination (volunteer and paid providers work in concert to serve the citizens) responder corps, middle management is needed to ensure effective operations.

Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/943/Video-of-Past-BOS-Meetings  beginning at the 1:42 mark for budget presentations made by Creasey and Ferguson at the February 16 supervisors’ meeting.

A major challenge, going forward, contended Young, is Goochland’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees, which are in short supply across the board.  Henrico, our main competitor for workers, recently announced that it will increase salaries for all government employees, including teachers, to attract the best talent. Raley’s presentation includes proposed school salary scale adjustments to address the pay disparity issue between Goochland and its competition.

The ad valorem tax levied landowners in the Tuckahoe Creek Service District will remain at 32 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. Revenues generated by this tax pay debt service on TCSD bonds. It is hoped that the TCSD debt will be retired in the next decade or so, eliminating the tax. Rates paid by utility customers will increase modestly to ensure that the utility system is self-sustaining financially.

Young said that the county has set aside $10 million to help partners expand broadband. He said that the county had mixed success with grant applications for more broadband coverage, details to be revealed in the near future.

The virtual town hall was a good faith effort by county government to engage with the citizens. Let’s hope by fall that we are able to gather by district to discuss matters of concern countywide and of more local interest.