September Board of Supervisors' meeting

 

Goochland’s Board of Supervisors had a relatively light agenda for their September meeting. The afternoon portion of the meeting lasted a bit more than an hour, after which the supervisors went into closed session until 6 p.m. to discuss the “performance and duties of the County Attorney and County Administrator” as permitted by state law. Don Sharpe, District 4, was absent. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.

A brief overview of items that will not be addressed in separate posts.

September 11

Goochland Fire-Rescue will hold two 9/11 observances on Sunday, September 11.  The first will take place at the Courthouse Company 5 Fire-Rescue station 2710 Fairground Road at 9:45 A.M. The second will be held at the Manakin Company 1 Fire-Rescue Station at 180 River Road West at 7 P.M. We must never forget the sacrifice made by the brave men and women who ran toward danger at their own peril on this dark day in our history.

 

Goochland first responders remember those lost on 911

Town Hall Meetings

The fall round of county town hall meetings will be held as follows: District 1 Thursday, October 13 at Byrd Elementary School, 2704 Hadensville-Fife Road; Districts 2 and 3 Monday, October 17 in the board meeting room of the county administration building at 1800 Sandy Hook Road in Courthouse Village; Districts 4 and 5 Wednesday, October 26 at the Residence Inn at the Notch, 1800 Wilkes Ridge Circle, roughly opposite Wawa on Broad Street Road. All meetings begin at 6:30 P.M. The sessions will also be livestreamed via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.

Our elected and appointed officials provide updates on issues of interest and discuss matters of concern to each district at these events. Please try to attend or tune in to keep informed about Goochland County.

Legislative agenda

Virginia is a Dillon Rule state—or, as Board Chair Neil Spoonhower, District 2 quipped a “mother, may I?”—state where localities have only those powers given to them by state government. Therefore, it is vital that Goochland has open lines of communication with our delegation to the Virginia General Assembly: Delegates Lee Ware 65^th District, John McGuire 56^th District and 22^nd District Senator Mark Peake.

Last month, county and school officials met with our delegation to discuss the upcoming General Assembly session and share a draft of Goochland’s legislative agenda, an outline of legislation and polices that are supported and opposed.

The county favors legislation to provide for a referendum on the retail sale of marijuana in Goochland, allowing citizens to decide if they want these stores, and the tax revenue derived from them, in the county. This would also give jurisdictions the ability object to, restrict, regulate, or prohibit the location and operation of marijuana cultivation and manufacturing facilities and marijuana wholesalers.

To preserve election integrity the county supports verification of social security information for voter registration; use of photo ID to verify identity of voters; and reimbursement of costs for absentee voting. Goochland supports initiatives to encourage broad voter participation by all, while keeping them safe, secure, and free. One citizen, one vote, easy to cast a ballot, hard to cheat.

Goochland supports sound fiscal policies at the state level and opposes unfunded mandates that shift the burden of paying for a policy from the state to localities.

The county supports increased state funding and other initiatives to expand broadband coverage to make it universal in the Commonwealth. This includes reducing or eliminating regulatory burdens on broadband providers.

Goochland opposes “the passage of any state laws that infringe upon the rights of the law-abiding citizens of the Commonwealth under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and under Article I, Section 13 of the Virginia Constitution.”

Items submitted by our school division include state funding for resource officers at each school; legislation to support tax credits for businesses that provide training, internships and other opportunities for career studies that support Goochland’s excellent Career and Technical Education programs

Reduce the number and type of SOL tests.

Increase early childhood education opportunities.

Repeal efforts supporting collective bargaining.

Support local autonomy on issues impacting Goochland County students, staff, and families.

To see the list in its entirety see the board packet beginning on page 122  on the county website https://www.goochlandva.us/

 

Memorandum of understanding MSWCD

The Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District (MSWCD) is a governmental subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia that serves Goochland and Powhatan Counties. It has statutory powers to develop comprehensive programs for conservation and improvement of soil, water, and other natural resources.

The supervisors approved an update memorandum of understanding between the MSWCD  and the county, which outlines the expanded duties of the MSWCD to help ensure that Goochland land owners and land managers receive services that reflect the current priotiies of the county.

Among the duties of the MSWCD is administration of available agricultural financial assistance programs that help agricultural producers access programs so they can implement best farming practices for their benefit and to safeguard the environment.

The county provides a liaison to ensure open lines of communications between Goochland County and the MSWCD on all matters pertaining to agriculture. To read the complete document go to page 110 in the board packet.

Collaboration between the county and MSWCD is vital to support local agriculture, which is the foundation of our rural character. Remember “no farms, no food”

Goochland Powhatan Community Services

The supervisors approved “the amended FY2022 & FY2023 Performance Contract between Goochland Powhatan Community Services (GPCS) and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).”

The contract gives notice to the state government that GPCS is in partnership with  Goochland County and has submitted its service plans and requests for funds.

For Fiscal Year 2023, Goochland will provide $376,010 to GPCS in its annual budget. Under state law, the local governing body is required to approve the contract in order for GPCS to receive state funding.

See board packet for details.

Richmond-Crater Multi-region Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Board approved the 2022 Richmond-Crater Multi-Region Hazard Mitigation Plan. The result of a collaborative effort among 24 jurisdictions in central Virginia. Adopt of this plan is a requirement for a locality to be eligible to receive FEMA hazard mitigation funds, including grants.

The plan includes protocols for evacuation support (Goochland is designated as a haven for evacuees from Tidewater); public education and training opportunities; damage assessment ( utilized after the June tornado outbreak); warning systems; and participation the national flood insurance program.

Go to https://planrva.org/emergency-management-home/the-alliance/hazard-mitigation/ for more information.