The February 1 meeting of the Goochland Board of
Supervisors returned to normal after the monster snowstorm disrupted the January
meeting schedule.
Bonds
District 5 Supervisor Ken Peterson announced at the
start of the meeting that Goochland made history having had a successful initial
foray into the bond market earlier in the day.
The county issued $50 million of bonds without assistance
from any state agency or cash collateral. Eleven firms submitted 31 bids in a
competitive auction process, resulting in a blended interest rate of 2.8
percent. Peterson credited the county's earning three AAA bond rating for the successful
financial process. "Goochland is the smallest county in the nation to have
this kind of credit rating," he said. "This is the result of a lot of
hard work by a lot of people."
Board Chair Neil Spoonhower, District 2 observed that the
98 percent of citizens who pay their taxes on time also contributed to the
success of the bond auction. Proceeds from the bonds, whose issuance was
overwhelmingly approved by county voters last November, will fund a new Goochland
Elementary School and West Creek Fire Station.
Black History Month
A presentation about the Buffalo Soldiers will be made
at the Central High School Educational and Cultural Center Eagle theater (2748
Dogtown Road, Goochland 23063) on Saturday, February 5 beginning at 11 a.m.
Trooper George Grady will use his extensive knowledge on the topic to explain
the role of the Buffalo Soldiers—former slaves, freemen, and Civil War Soldiers—in
American History. Braise and Smoke will
be on site selling its superb food.
County administrator search
Goochland has retained Gallagher Executive Search and
Leadership Advisors to help recruit a new county administrator. The Supervisors
met in closed session on Monday, January 31, to discuss the matter. Enquiries or referrals about the position should
be directed to Brandon Ferguson
Gallagher Executive Search and Leadership
Advisors
Email: Brandon_Ferguson@ajg.com
Mobile: (636) 233-7765
VDOT
Clean up from the storm
in early January continues. The firm contracted by VDOT to remove downed trees and
other storm debris from roadsides "withdrew from the process" and
efforts are being made to find a replacement.
Several supervisors raised
concerns that cutting fallen trees at the very edge of the pavement creates a
hazard and asked that the procedure be changed to cut trees a foot or so back
from the roadway. VDOT explained that the "cut and dash" crews' focus
is to get roads open for plows and emergency vehicles and work fast. Salt piles
and brine tanks are being replenished as winter does not seem to be over.
Fire-Rescue
D. E. "Eddie"
Ferguson, Jr., Chief of Goochland Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services made his
report, which can be viewed in its entirety in the February 1 board packet on
the county website goochlandva.us.
The Chief shared winter
safety reminders. The recent spate of frigid weather caused ponds to freeze
over. It is very rare for pond ice in our area to be strong enough to support the
weight of walking on it. Ferguson cautioned everyone to "keep an eye
out" to ensure that children and pets do not venture onto the ice. He
cited a recent incident near Hermitage Country Club where a dog had fallen through
ice into a pond. The dog was safely rescued by citizens in boats, but the incident
had the potential to morph into a dangerous situation.
As people are burning
wood in fireplaces, Ferguson suggested that chimneys be kept clean. He also urged
extreme caution when disposing of ashes, which can remain capable of combustion
for days after removal from fireplaces. They should be placed in metal
containers far from combustible material, including high grass, and thoroughly drenched
with water.
Assessments
Assistant County Assessor
Christi Hess presented the 2022 valuations. They are based on market value as of
January 1 and were mailed out to each property owner on January 15. Appeals must be filed by February 15.
So far, said Hess, 35 appeals have been filed.
Call 804-556-5853 for questions about your assessment. In 2021, a total
of 105 appeals were filed, but, said Hess, it's early in the process. She
expects more appeals to be filed because some areas, experienced "huge"
increases, including an average of 15 percent in eastern Goochland; for some
River Road neighborhoods it was 22 percent.
The total taxable value,
not including new construction or land use, rose 11.1 percent from 2021. The
translates to a countywide total of $6.95 billion taxable value, including $146
million, or 2.4 percent, new construction. Of that, 89 percent is residential,
and 11 percent is commercial. The taxable value of the Tuckahoe Creek Service District
is $1.72 billion. The deferred amount attributable to land use is $713 million.
Land use taxation is available for property actively engaged in agricultural,
forestal, or horticultural use. It is computed using a per acre amount
determined by the State Land Evaluation Advisory Council (SLEAC) at Virginia
Tech. (Go to https://aaec.vt.edu/extension/use-value/about/sleac.htm
for more information.)
Second quarter financial update
Mary Anna Twisdale,
Director of Financial Services, presented the results of the second quarter of
FY22, which ended on December 31. So
far, revenues are ahead of projections and expenses are below, to the tune of
about $1.3 million. However, Twisdale cautioned, Goochland County is not exempt
from inflation. She said that the 11 percent increase in valuation, upon which
revenues for calendar year 2022 are based, is higher than the 10 percent
expected in December. (The county's fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.
Tax rates, which are used to compute tax bills for June and December, are for the
calendar year.) Go to page 90 in the February 1 board packet for details.)
Goochland and the Virginia General Assembly
Community Affairs Manager
Paul Drumwright updated the board on legislation of interest to Goochland
County. The current session of the Virginia General Assembly is dealing with
2,430 bills, 1,362 in the House of Delegates, 774 in the Senate. This year's in
person session convened on January 12. Crossover is on February 15 and adjournment
March 12. A reconvened session will open on April 27.
Goochland had five
priority requests this year: prohibit marijuana retail stores without approval
by local referendum; prohibit marijuana cultivation facilities from selling directly
to customers; give localities the authority to prohibit or regulate use of
binary explosive kits containing an oxidizer and a fuel source; reimbursement for
the compensation and expense of the electoral board; and request for a study of
compensation board funding for Constitutional Officers.
Drumwright said that
marijuana issues are getting a lot of attention. No bills were filed about
binary explosives. Reimbursement for the electoral board requires budget amendments.
No legislation was submitted for a study of constitutional officer funding.
A bill filed by 65th
District Del. Lee Ware, who represents western Goochland, to provide an agricultural
sale and use tax exemption for structural construction materials for a
commercial greenhouse structure died in subcommittee. This was filed on behalf
of Greenswell Growers, which operates a hydroponic farm in eastern Goochland
and is being taxed as though it is a commercial greenhouse.
Drumwright mentioned
other legislation under consideration that could be of interest to Goochland,
including a bill to give localities the authority to require new residential
and commercial developers to install broadband.
Legisltation requiring
approval via local referendum to increase real estate tax rates, having been
deemed unworkable, are being rewritten.
Go to page 91 in the
board packet for the complete report.
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