On the ballot

 

August is almost over. Time to think about elections. Virginians like to vote, we do it every year. Electoral changes put into place last year, allegedly because of the pandemic, have become permanent. Early voting starts on September 17. (Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/359/Elections-and-Voter-Registration for information about registration and voting.)

There are many sources of information about statewide election choices, GOMM will not be one of them. Closer to home, there will be two Goochland-specific bond referendum items on the general election ballot. Please don’t wait until you are in the voting booth, or otherwise poised to cast your ballot, to find out what these are all about.

State law requires voter approval before localities can issue debt to pay for capital improvement projects. In a word, the referenda are about money. The most cost-effective way for the county to finance vital capital projects is to issue general obligation bonds. Approval of the bond referendum questions WILL NOT INCREASE THE TAX RATE, which is 53 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

The referendum questions seek permission for Goochland County to issue General Obligation Public Improvement bonds for specified maximum amounts. Because it has two AAA+ bond ratings, Goochland should be able to issue GO bonds a lower interest rate than other methods of financing. This is a prudent use of tax dollars. Each item has been identified as necessary in the county’s capital improvement plan.

The first bond referendum question asks permission for up to $60 million to build and equip a new elementary school, upgrade the high school-middle school complex, and make associated road and parking improvements.

The second asks permission to issue bonds for no more than $36 million for public safety projects to build and equip a new courthouse and related law enforcement facilities and to build and equip a new fire-rescue station on the east side of Hockett Road just north of its intersection with Tuckahoe Creek Parkway.

Funds raised through issuance of general obligation bonds may be used only for purposes stated in the bond referendum. The bonds do not need to be issued all at once but must be issued generally within eight years following voter approval.

A new $34 million 650 pupil Goochland Elementary School on land owned by the school division off Bulldog Way is the top priority for schools. The current GES was built in 1957, is worn out, lacks a gym, and other amenities.

Larger capacity of the new school will require redistricting to include areas that are currently served by Randolph and Byrd. This, according to Goochland School superintendent Dr. Jeremy Raley, will enable removal of trailers at RES and BES, which are also scheduled for replacement sometime in the future. A redistricting plan will be crafted and approved by the school board in early 2022 to allow affected families two years to prepare for the change. If all goes well, the new GES is expected to welcome students at the start of the 2024-25 school year.

Other school capital projects included in the referendum are an addition to GHS for both the career and technical education (CTE), and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs.  It’s hard to believe, but the “new” high school is 20 years old. (See https://www.goochlandva.us/bonds for details.)

Question two, if approved, would allow the county to issue bonds for up to $36 million to build a new courthouse/law enforcement complex. The current circuit courthouse has been in continuous use since it was built in 1827, when John Quincy Adams was in the White House. While it is an architectural and historic treasure, our courthouse does not provide safe and efficient space for its users. A new facility will consolidate court and law enforcement related functions into one place with modern workspaces and security.

Construction and equipping of a new West Creek fire-rescue station is also part of question two. Residential and commercial growth in the east end of the county and related increase in calls for fire-rescue service require a new station to handle the growth.

D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. Chief of Goochland Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services explained that five of the county’s current six stations were not built to accommodate career personnel, that now provide 24/7 coverage throughout the county. Sleeping quarters and showers for responders to decontaminate between calls are now needed.

Older stations are not equipped with ventilation and other devices to protect the health of those who work there. Ferguson explained that Goochland Fire-Rescue is aptly named because most providers—100 volunteers and 60 career responders— are cross trained in firefighting and emergency medical skills.  In spite of the on-the-job dangers faced by first responders, a leading cause of death and disability among them is cancer is caused by exposure to many toxic substances, including those contained in diesel fuels.

Although not addressed in the bond issue questions, the county is actively seeking a site for a fire-rescue station in District 2, probably in the Sandy Hook area.

Land for the school, courthouse/public safety building, and fire-rescue station has been obtained.

There will be several sessions providing more in-depth discussion of the referendum questions. Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=669 for more information.

Please take the time to learn about these referendum questions and be an informed voter.