2024 proposed Goochland County Budget

 

          The days are getting longer, which means spring will soon be here and Goochland County is in high budget season. The supervisors will adopt the county budget for FY24, which begins on July 1, and set tax rates for calendar 2023 in April.

          On February 21, Goochland County Administrator Vic Carpenter presented his recommended FY24 budget to the Supervisors.  (Details are posted on the county website goochlandva.us)

          The budget was based on retention of a 53 cent per $100 of assessed valuation for real estate tax and $3.95 per $100 for personal property tax. However, the recommended budget includes a $5,000 per vehicle exemption to provide some tax relief.

          The proposed FY24 budget is $138 million, an  increase of approximately 11.5 percent, or $14 million, from the FY2023 budget. Most of the county’s revenue comes from real estate tax, which Carpenter likened to a “one legged stool”. The total valuation of property in the county as of January 1 increased by $895 million, personal property values rose by $53.9 million.

          The retention of the 53 cent tax rate represents a 12.8 percent tax increase as described below:

          NOTICE OF PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE The County of Goochland, Virginia proposes to increase property tax levies, while keeping the tax rate unchanged at $0.53 per $100 of assessed value. 1. Assessment Increase: Total assessed value of real property, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property, exceeds last year's total assessed value of real property by 9.6 percent. 2. Lowered Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate with the exclusions mentioned above, would be $0.47 per $100 of assessed value. This rate will be known as the "lowered tax rate." 3. Effective Rate Increase: The County of Goochland proposes to adopt a tax rate of $0.53 per $100 of assessed value. The difference between the lowered tax rate and the proposed rate would be $0.06 per $100, or 12.8 percent. This difference will be known as the "effective tax rate increase." Individual property taxes may, however, increase at a percentage greater than or less than the above percentage. 4. Proposed Total Budget Increase: Based on the proposed real property tax rate and changes in other revenues, the general fund budget of the County of Goochland will exceed last year's by 9.7 percent and the total budget of the County will be 11.6 percent more than last year’s budget, primarily due to the increase in the Capital Improvement Plan. A public hearing on the increase will be held on April 4, 2023 at 6:00 pm in the Board Meeting Room at 1800 Sandy Hook Road, Goochland, VA.

          Carpenter explained that the budget process is ongoing year-round that includes listening to citizens, all departments, the school division, supervisors, and constitutional officers. The formal process began last fall as those discussions were translated into numbers. The budget, said Carpenter, is a tool to create change implemented by the board of supervisors who were elected to implement that change.

          Priorities expressed in the budget are consistent with the Board’s strategic plan to fund core services of public safety—law enforcement, fire-rescue and emergency services—and education. Goochland, said Carpenter, uses a conservative approach to revenue projection and expenditure growth. The county seeks efficiency in cost savings while expanding service levels of public safety.

          The headwinds of inflation and a recession anticipated next year have an impact on the county budget he contended. As with any organization, the strength of our local government is its people. To attract and retain the highest caliber employees, increases and other salary adjustments for staff were necessary and are reflected in the budget.

“Our well trained and competent employees are desired by other locations, we want to keep them for ourselves,” Carpenter said. The county will absorb an 11 percent increase in insurance rates, imposing no additional costs on employees.

Nine new public safety positions are included in the budget, six for fire-rescue, three for the Sheriff’s department, one 911 dispatcher and two deputies.

          Four categories account for 70 percent of county spending. Education about 30 percent; capital improvements 18 percent; public safety 16 percent; and public utilities 14 percent. The school budget will be presented to the supervisors at a future meeting.

          An increase in utility rates, three percent for water, four for sewer and connection fees with go up by 5.5 percent are included in the recommended budget in order to keep the department self sufficient. The ad valorem tax levied on property in the Tuckahoe Creek Service District on top of the 53 cent real estate tax, will remain at 32 cents per $100 of valuation.

          Carpenter said that, until approved, the budget is a work in progress. Indeed, three years ago, the recommended budget presented in February was “sliced and diced” in anticipation of pandemic privations before it was approved in April. “We don’t know what’s going to hit us in the next two months, we don’t know what’s coming out of Richmond,” he said, the last referring to fiscal machinations of the General Assembly.

          To listen to the supervisors’ discussion of the proposed budget, go to the county website https://www.goochlandva.us/  click on “watch county meetings” and select February 21.

          To see the proposed budget, go to: county-goochland-va-budget-book.cleargov.com/9226/introduction/history-of-city.

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

For the Commonwealth

 

Unless you’ve violated the law, or been the victim of a crime, you probably give little thought to the Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney, a constitutional office. Indeed, it would be interesting to know how many county residents could name the incumbent. That may well change as the local election cycle shifts into high gear and voters cast their ballots.

On February 15, The Goochland Republican committee held a candidate forum at the Post 215 American Legion Hall where incumbent Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Caudill and challenger John Lumpkins, Jr. stated their case to be the GOP standard bearer the November election. The candidate will be selected by members of the committee at a mass meeting in March.

 

 

Information about the office from the Code of Virginia:

§ 15.2-1626. Attorney for the Commonwealth.

The voters in every county and city shall elect an attorney for the Commonwealth unless otherwise provided by general law or special act. The attorney for the Commonwealth shall exercise all the powers conferred and perform all the duties imposed upon such officer by general law. He may perform such other duties, not inconsistent with his office, as the governing body may request. He shall be elected as provided by general law for a term of four years. Every county and city may, with the approval of the Compensation Board, provide for employing compensated assistants to the attorney for the Commonwealth as in the opinion of the Compensation Board may be required. Such assistant or assistants shall be appointed by the attorney for the Commonwealth for a term coterminous with his own. The compensation for such assistants to the attorneys for the Commonwealth shall be as provided for assistants to attorneys for the Commonwealth under § 15.2-1627.1

 

B. The attorney for the Commonwealth and assistant attorney for the Commonwealth shall be a part of the department of law enforcement of the county or city in which he is elected or appointed, and shall have the duties and powers imposed upon him by general law, including the duty of prosecuting all warrants, indictments or informations charging a felony, and he may in his discretion, prosecute Class 1, 2 and 3 misdemeanors, or any other violation, the conviction of which carries a penalty of confinement in jail, or a fine of $500 or more, or both such confinement and fine. He shall enforce all forfeitures, and carry out all duties imposed upon him by § 2.2-3126. He may enforce the provisions of § 18.2-268.3, 29.1-738.2, 46.2-341.20:7, or 46.2-341.26:3. He may, in his discretion, file a notice of appeal with the circuit court for the appeal of a criminal case for which he was the prosecuting attorney and he may appear and represent the Commonwealth in any criminal case on appeal before the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court for which he was the prosecuting attorney, provided that the Attorney General consented to such appearance pursuant to § 2.2-511.

He shall also represent the Commonwealth in an appeal of a civil matter related to the enforcement of a criminal law or a criminal case for which he was the prosecuting attorney, including a petition for expungement of a defendant's criminal record, an action of forfeiture filed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 22.1 (§ 19.2-386.1 et seq.) of Title 19.2, or any matter which he may enforce pursuant to this section.

1977, c. 584, § 15.1-8.1; 1978, c. 141; 1988, c. 389; 1997, c. 587; 2011, c. 210; 2017, c. 623, 2020, cc. 1285, 1286; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 489, 550, 551.

 

Only attorneys admitted to the Virginia State Bar, an agency of the Supreme Court of Virginia, are eligible to serve as a Commonwealth’s Attorney. This is the only local elected office with requirements other than age, citizenship, residence, and lack of criminal convictions.

 

An intra party challenge to an incumbent is very rare, especially in Goochland. The forum shed some light on the reasons that Lumpkins, who currently represents District 3 on the Board of Supervisors,  but was redistricted” out of his seat last year, is challenging Caudill.

 

Caudill contends that his experience and performance as Commonwealth’s Attorney since 2016 justifies GOP support for another term. Lumpkins contends that a dysfunctional relationship between the offices of Commonwealth’s Attorney and Sheriff’ is causing high rates of turnover among deputies and having a negative impact on public safety.

 

John Reid, a morning radio talk show host on WRVA, served as moderator for the “discussion”  between Caudill and Lumpkins. This began with five-minute opening statements.

John Reid of WRVA moderated the "discussion"

 

Lumpkins, who won the coin flip, introduced himself stating that he works with his wife in a small law firm. A native of Hanover, he was a police officer in Fairfax County before attending law school at the University of Richmond, where he was an editor of the law review and inducted into the McNeil law honor society. He clerked for a federal judge in Richmond before opening a small law office. During his first six years working as an attorney, Lumpkins’ law practice included criminal defense work, jury and bench trials, in both state and federal courts. He was elected to the Goochland School Board in 2011 and appointed by the supervisors to succeed the late Ned Creasey as District 3 supervisor, and was elected in his own right twice.

Mike Caudill (l) and John Lumpkins

 

He is challenging Caudill because “the current situation is not serving the best interests of our community. I believe our county deserves and needs better from this critical office.”

 

Caudill has been Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney since 2016. A Goochland resident since 2011, he has spent 40 years in various aspects of the criminal justice system. After graduating in 1989 from U of R law school and passing the bar exam on his first try, Caudill took a position in in Orange County working for Tim Sanner, who was then Orange Commonwealth’s Attorney. Caudill said he was fortunate in his early career to have task masters extraordinarily committed  “to teach me what I needed to learn to do the job right.” He opened a practice in Goochland in 1995 after having spent two years in a criminal defense firm.

“We are committed to this county,” Caudill said. “The prosecutor’s job is to seek justice not to convict. We have to make sure that we know what we’re doing and we do an excellent job representing you.”

 

The first question asked how the relationship between the Sheriff’s Office and the Commonwealth’s Attorney can be built upon and improved.

 

Lumpkins said that issue is his main reason for running. As a supervisor he works with the Sheriff’s office on budget matters,  and is a board member of newly formed Goochland Sheriff’s Office Foundation. He has joined deputies at all hands meetings and roll call. As a supervisors he made good tough decisions about the law enforcement budget that received wide citizen support. He contended that the strained relationship between the Sheriff’s Office and COmmonwealth's Attorney makes recruitment and retention of deputies difficult. While serving on the school board, Lumpkins learned first hand of the importance of  collaboration. He made very clear that the superintendent of schools had to get along with the county administrator because they have to work together. “The same goes for the Courts, Commonwealth’s Attorney and the Sheriff’s Office.”

 

Caudill said “we work with all police agencies, state police, animal protection, FBI, we also do special prosecutions. Our door is always open to officers. They do not need an appointment.” Rank and file officers should not have any complaints because we give them what they need to carry on. “I Don’t know what “poor relationship” means. We are always open to suggestions to make things better. I work for you. Come to court see what we do,” Caudill told the audience.

 

The next question asked about crime rates and concerns specific to Goochland.

 

Caudill said that the county’s many potent potable establishments have increased the rate of DUIs. Goochland is not immune to the scourge of fentanyl and opioid addiction. Two office involved shootings happed here in—one involving state troopers on I64 that sparked civil unrest in 2021, another quite recently—are few and far between.  Property crimes, he said, appear to be down. Legalization of marijuana has resulted in fewer drug cases.

 

Caudill said that simple drug possession cases should be addressed with treatment, and counseling to help rehabilitate addicts. “Incarceration doesn’t work,” in those cases.

 

Lumpkins said that drunk driving and drugs are prevalent everywhere.  Goochland has an aging population at risk for scammers while young people need help dealing with mental health issues.

 

 

The men were asked to identify the biggest strength and weakness of each other.

 

“I don’t know Mike that well but have invited him to work with the supervisors on new courthouse. His answer was “whatever Judge Sanner wants. That was not what I asked. When asked if his office had issues to discuss with our General Assembly delegation. The response was “crickets”, which I see as a lack of engagement. On the positive side, he’s been doing the job a long time,” said Lumpkins.

 

Caudill said he had no recollection of the invitation to discuss the new courthouse. He said that he usually attends legislative meetings, was not able to attend in 2022. “We are engaged. I am a member of the NAACP, the Rural Substance Abuse Coalition, those things are important. Lumpkins is an intelligent guy. Biggest weakness is lack of experience. You cannot come into this job and start from day one. Must have the ability when law enforcement officers come in to deal with their issues. You must be able to hit the ground running on day one. I do want to be involved in the new courthouse, and will be there if invited again.”

 

Both said that they would support the party nominee for Commonwealth’s Attorney, even if it is the other guy.

 

“We can’t be hyper partisan local elections. I’m a republican, but I serve everyone. It’s an honor to work with people of the other party,” said Lumpkins.

 

The next question addressed sentencing disparities.

Lumpkins reflected on his experience in federal court during the war on drugs and said that mandatory minimum sentences are a tool to curb disparities. He contended that each case must be evaluated on its own merits.

.

 

Caudill said he does not hesitate to recommend incarceration appropriate to a crime committed to the court. It’s up to the court to decide the sentence, he pointed out, not the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

 

Reid asked both candidates if they are tracking legislation affecting the conduct of Commonwealth Attorney’s office.

 

Caudill said that juries no longer recommend sentencing. They are solely the tryers of fact, which hampers prosecutors.  A jury trial recommendation no has longer the teeth it once did. Having a jury consider a case and argument of counsel and then make sentencing recommendations is no longer available to prosecutors thanks to a law change made by the General Assembly. It should be looked at again.

 

Lumpkins agreed that the power of a jury to recommend a harsh sentence for a crime, which could have exceeded sentencing guidelines, was a useful tool for prosecutors. Its demise has resulted in last minute plea agreements.

 

He contended that rules shrouding  a defendant’s mental health information from judges can have an impact of sentencing.

 

The next question asked each man to refute a rumor about themselves.

 

Lumpkins asked people to contact him with any concerns, rather than spread rumors, especially I hear that Lumpkins is going to hire other lawyers to do the work and sit on his butt while he gets  a paycheck.

“That’s just ridiculous. I’m seeking this job to work hard, it’s what I’ve done for my clients, as a supervisor and on the school board. I have a lot of good experience  in my 34 years as a lawyer, which may not be al criminal work. I have leadership skills and work with various groups. This job requires leadership, but  I’m not going to concede that I don’t have the experience to work in a courtroom. I’m excited about digging in and working for the people of Goochland.”

 

Caudill

The rumor that we don’t prosecute child porn is a rumor being spread by people who don’t know what they’re talking about,” said Caudill. “We had fie or six child porn cases. All but one has been convicted. After hours of argument, during which I asked for active prison time, the judge sentenced him to time served. Child porn cases have not been taken from our offices to the Attorney General’s Office for prosecution. Those cases are being “kicked Back” We will not stand for it and ask for active incarceration in those instances.” He offered transcripts of those trials for inspection.

 

Each asked the other a question.

 

Caudill asked Lumpkins why he was not a member of the Goochland Bar Association, had not tried cases in Goochland Courts, or visited Goochland Courts. Lumpkins  said that his practice is not in Goochland, but that he was in circuit court on term day to set a civil case.  He said that he has observed in other courts but his time in court is spent mostly on civil cases.

 

When it was his turn, Lumpkins said that any question he had for Caudill was asked the day he decided to run, so he had no question.

 

Closing statements

 

“I wasn’t planning to get into politics eleven years ago but did so because there was a pressing need for change. I spoke with a couple of Mike’s supporters and was told I was making a mistake because it was destroying the party. The truth is I’m running to stop destruction. I’ve heard the incumbent is frustrated with the deputies and angry at them for not being prepared for court. The incumbent’s approach to the problems that he says do not exist make them worse. Recently retired deputies and investigators have told me that the lack of support from the incumbent made retirement attractive. You are a part of the problem you rail against. I will serve everyone whose path crosses mine with respect and even temperament without fear or favor. We need to dedicate ourselves to protecting our community. We need leaders in place to protect and serve.”

 

For his closing statement, Caudill introduced the families of victims of hit and run incidents who attended as testament to Caudill’s efforts to stand up for their dead children and bring them justice. “They know that we fought tooth and nail against highly skilled attorneys for people who can’t defend themselves.”

 

Comments about the race between Caudill and Lumpkins distributed to attendees contended that if Caudill loses the race, his deputy, and the victim witness services director will follow him out the door, leaving the office of Commonwealth’s Attorney with no experienced people to carry on its work.

 

Stay tuned for developments.

 

Caudill’s website mikecaudill4ca.com/

Lumpkins’ website votejohnlumpkins.com

 

Goochland fiscal condition

 

Events of interest for the rest of February

·       February 16, 6 p.m. at Central High School Educational and Cultural Complex at 2748 Dogtown Road a community meeting about the county’s proposed solar policy and ordinance.

·       February 21 at 2 p.m. Goochland County Administrator Vic Carpenter will present his recommended budget for FY24.

·       February 27 at St. Matthew’s Church, 1706 St. Matthew’s Lane, beginning at 6 p.m. a community meeting on an application for a conditional use permit filed by SP Real Estate for an automobile dealership at 12501 Borad Street Road. This is on the outparcel in front of the Residence Inn, opposite the Wawa. Correction, this parcel is just west of the Henrico line on the south side of 250 at the literal gateway to Goochland.

 

The supervisors who took office in January of 2012 faced the daunting task of funding core county services without raising the tax rate as real estate valuations continued to decline, and rescuing Goochland from the brink of bankruptcy.

They succeeded. In the intervening years, Goochland County earned three AAA bond ratings—the smallest county population-wise in the nation to do so—restructured the ill-conceived Tuckahoe Creek Service District debt to a manageable level and retained the 53 cents per hundred dollars of assessed valuation tax rate.

Among the many prudent policies and procedures adopted to ensure sound and sustainable funding, the budget process looks ahead a year or two to avoid surprises, and smooth rough spots between good and bad years. Projections are made conservatively, preferring surprises on the upside rather than unexpected shortfalls in revenue.

The bond ratings enabled the county, after receiving the blessing of voters in the 2021 election, to issue general obligation bonds before interest rates rose to fund badly needed capital projects.

The county audit committee, which collaborates with county and school finance departments to keep the county’s fiscal ship on course, met on February 7 to review the current financial picture and gauge possible headwinds.

Goochland Director of Financial Services Carla Cave presented results for the second quarter of FY23. She reported that, so far, revenues exceed expenses by a healthy margin. Cave was optimistic that the picture might be even rosier by the end of the fiscal year on June 30. (Go to http://goochlandcountyva.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=1377&Inline=True page 105 for details.) “We’re in a good place,” Cave said in summary of the latest results.

“This is how Goochland County manages its finances,” Audit Committee Chair, District 5 supervisor Ken Peterson said. “We use a structurally balanced budget where recurring revenues cover recurring expenses and generates a slight surplus.” Any surplus is used to maintain the county’s asset base and prevent deterioration of  facilities and equipment.

The county budget for FY24, which ends about 18 months out, is now in process. Peterson discussed information prepared by the governor’s office about the timing and severity of a possible recession.

 (go to  https://www.finance.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/secretary-of-finance/pdf/JMC-Dec2022-with-Appendix.pdf to view the “slides.)

“Inflation has been on everybody’s mind because it has a devastating impact, especially on the most vulnerable in society,” said Peterson. “We’ve all seen the price of everything from eggs to gasoline skyrocket.”

This puts pressure of budgets at all levels where income cannot keep pace with costs. Peterson said that the county must be mindful of the effects of an expected recession in the next few years on the county budget. As most Goochland revenues come from real estate taxes, any decline in property valuations is a concern.

Robust gains in housing prices in the past couple of years filled county coffers, but county budgets will continue to be crafted with flat to slightly higher valuation assumptions. Any excess will fund a carefully curated list of items that were not included in the budget.

For example, the FY23 budget was based on a four percent year over year increase rather than the actual jump of approximately eleven percent. Unanticipated valuation increases are viewed as an anomaly rather than a trend to avoid spending money that might not be there every year.

There was consensus among audit committee members that crafting a “flat” budget for FY24 is a prudent course to deal with the murky financial outlook for the next few years.

 

 

 

 

And we're off

 

County and school officials move dirt in the ceremonial ground breaking

County and school officials gathered in front of a huge bulldozer on a gravel lined clearing west of Bulldog Way in Courthouse Village on Thursday, February 9 for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Goochland Elementary School. Dirt started moving at the site shortly after signing construction contracts a few weeks ago.

This is the first elementary school built in the county since that late 50’s and is badly needed. Discussion of how, when, and where to replace GES have been ongoing for most of the 21^st century. An initiative to renovate and expand GES about 15 years ago was quietly scrapped.

Thanks to collaboration of county supervisors and administration, school board, and school division, involving many “difficult” conversations and decisions, a successful bond referendum on the November 2021 ballot was approved by more than 80 percent of Goochland voters. This authorized the county to issue general obligation bonds to provide most of the funding for the approximately $57 million school.

GES principal Tina McCay ready for  a new school

The 700 student capacity of the new GES will accommodate expected growth in our school division.

Comments made during the ceremony signal that this is not just another public building, but rather a pathway to the future as it forms the leaders of tomorrow’s world.

Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Raley Ed. D. introduced the color guard from the Goochland Marine Corps Junior ROTC program. GES third grader Victor Sokoloff led the pledge of allegiance.

GHS MCJRROTC 

Raley then thanked those whose hard work made the day possible. Director Finance Debbie White, who played a critical role in the visioning and design of the new school, keeping the project on schedule and “asking important questions along the way to ensure that this project will serve our community well for many years to come."

Debbie White will be on site often during construction

Raley recognized and thanked the school board for its hard work. He thanked strong leadership from county administration, community development department, finance, and legal services for support on the project, including speedy permit approval to keep the project on schedule. The new GES is expected to welcome students in August, 2024.

Board of Supervisors’ Vice Chair Charlie Vaughters, District 4, said that the new GES is a great example of what can be accomplished when the supervisors, school board and divisions, and county administration come together to find solutions that benefit all citizens. To maintain the fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets that Goochland has had for years, said Vaughters, “we often take a more with less approach. It takes hard work of committed individuals to make that happen.  Goochland Schools need this new asset. I can’t wait to see GES rise on this site and provide educational opportunities for our students for years to come.”

School Board Chair Sandra Barefoot-Reid, District 1, said that she has been involved with Goochland public schools since 1972 and has witnessed their triumphs and their failures. She was part of the construction of Goochland high school, middle school, and now GES. Without the dedication of current and former school boards, county administration and support of the board of supervisors and community “we would not be standing here today. Thank you, Goochland County.”

County Administrator Vic Carpenter labeled the groundbreaking a great day for Goochland County. “The last time we built a school in Goochland County, many of us were not alive.” The new GES, he said, is likely the largest investment in the county’s history. “Right now, it’s raw land, full of promise, hopes, and dreams, not unlike the students who will enter and learn here. Our children represent the best in us.”

Raley said that the new GES will have a lasting impact on every student that walks through its doors. “It will be an academic hub to provide learning for years to come in a way that connects the school to the beautiful nature around it. It will be a space of discovery, support and optimism,” he said. “Education is vastly different than it was 50 years ago and we cannot imagine how it will change over the next 50. This school will be a long-lasting legacy for thousands of students in the years to come.”

Jeff Boehm, President of Howard Shockey and Sons, (shockeybuilds.com) project contractor, said he never fails to get excited about building a new school “because you never know who will walk through those doors and what their impact on the community and world will be.” He thanked Goochland for trusting his company to build its school.

Dr. Bill Bradley of Stantec, architect for the project, said that his firm is often asked to work from a prototype for a building. The new GES, he said, was designed by Goochland from the inside out and will be like no other school.

The road to breaking ground for the new GES was long, winding, and a bit of a leap of faith. May it rise swiftly from Goochland’s red clay soil and lay the foundation for the education of our children for generations.

Go to https://www.goochlandschools.org/page/new-ges-construction-project for details about the new GES and check back often for construction updates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not ready for prime time

 

"Courtesy" signs indicating proposed land use change 

Goochland supervisors work hard to find solutions acceptable to all involved and “get to yes” on decisions. Sometimes, they want more information before taking a final vote. At their February 7 meeting Goochland Supervisors deferred decisions on several agenda items.

Community meeting policy

A vote to downgrade a code section on community meetings from a requirement to a policy decision was deferred to the Board’s April 18 meeting. Elimination of meetings for non-controversial land use change applications would streamline the process and better use staff time, which is a valuable resource, was stated as rationale for the proposed change.

The community weighed in on this, with lots of communications to supervisors.

As presented, criteria for deeming applications exempt from the community meeting requirement, and more importantly, who makes the decision, seemed vague.

As other localities step back from transparency in the name of efficiency, Goochland must be different so we can see what’s going on in our government.

The goal of eliminating unnecessary tasks for a busy staff is sound. Indeed, reports on noncontroversial land use change applications often state that few, if any, citizens attend the meetings, which require a good bit of staff time in preparation and attendance. Criteria for deciding what is “non-controversial,” however, was somewhat ill-defined.

Comments at some recent public hearings indicate that residents who should be made aware of pending land use change applications, did not know about community meetings. Public engagement tactics on land use change applications need some work.

Currently, only adjacent landowners receive letters about the proposed changes and notice of the community meeting. In a recent case, notice about a community meeting for an application to allow an event venue was sent to one adjoining landowner, whose property is part of a subdivision. Others in the subdivision, which would also be affected, learned of the matter by word of mouth.

Staff contended that mailings to people other than adjacent landowners is costly and time consuming. There is also the question of where “the line”  of who should be notified is drawn. As a “courtesy”, staff said, the county deploys yellow “rezoning signs” on subject properties, to alert citizens of the pending action.

Unless you recognize these signs and know go to the county website for details, you have no idea what’s going on. These signs are hard to read while zipping along—even at 45 mph, harder on busier roads like 250—and can get lost in visual clutter of signs, especially during an election season. One speaker contended that these signs “fall short” of effective communication. He advocated  taking further steps to figure out how to make people aware of issues while achieving efficiencies that are sensitive to staff’s time.

Perhaps putting a flyer, with a picture of a rezoning sign and instructions to go to the county website for details, in personal property tax bills that go to most residents would be a start.

Unlike public hearings, which allow each speaker three minutes to state their case, community meetings are less formal, with back-and-forth discussion. Public hearing presentations tend to be at a relatively high level, difficult to understand for those less acquainted with the subject under discussion. Rezoning applications are “advertised” but the reach of those notices is unknown.

Scheduling and securing suitable locations for community meetings is also a challenge. Last March, a community meeting about a proposed rezoning application for land at the southeast “corner” of Rt. 6 and River Road was held in Henrico. It was attended by 28 intrepid citizens who voiced concerns about the impact of the proposed high density  community of their neighborhoods. Perhaps attendance at that meeting would have been greater had it been held closer to the subject property.

One speaker during the public hearing observed that we “needed a community meeting about the community meeting policy”. He also contended that the county needs to “push” information about land use changes to the citizens instead of assuming that they will find out about them. How that could be accomplished, and at what cost, is also an issue. You can’t make people pay attention.

Community meetings serve to educate residents about what’s going on near their homes. This is especially important for newcomers who believe that open land will remain undeveloped forever, or never  bother to investigate possible land use changes near their new homes.

The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the change at its January meeting

 

 

Other deferrals

A public hearing on a rezoning application for land on Fairground Road filed by Truett Real Estate Investments, LLC was deferred to the Board’s July 3 meeting. This will allow the recently completed safety study for Fairground Road to be factored into the proposal.

The hearing on a conditional use permit application filed by Capital Broad, LLC to operate a place of public assembly and short-term rental unhosted for land just west of the Centerville Village on Broad Street Road, was deferred until March 7.

A decision to accept and appropriate $1,185,000 from the Federal Infrastructure and Jobs act to purchase three electric school buses was deferred to the Board’s February 21 meeting.

Some February Board highights

 

 

Government at all levels has many moving parts. Goochland County government, which perhaps has more impact on our daily lives than those higher on the food chain, is no exception.

Routine matters were addressed at the Board’s monthly meeting, typically held on the first Tuesday of the month. The most recent was February 7.

Recognition

Any organization is only as good as its people. Goochland is blessed to be served a county staff that strives to provide the best service possible to all citizens.

The supervisors recognized Wanda Tormey, Director of Purchasing since 2012, who will retire on March 1 to begin the next chapter of her life.

“It was my honor to serve the county in many different roles for the last 30 years. I am going to thank Becky Dickson (County Administrator 2009-16) for taking a chance on me for the director position in 2012. I made a promise to her and to the county that this is what I wanted to do, and I wanted to prove myself.” Tormey teared up at the mention of Dickson, who passed on in 2017.

Holding up an armload of name tags and badges Tormey said “this represents every single training conference and educational opportunity you allowed me in the last 30 years. Goochland supports its employees at work but in so many other ways.”

Wanda Tormey holds memories of her service to Goochland

She thanked the county for supporting her in cancer walks, corporate run events, Christmas Mother programs; the Presidency of the Capital Area Purchasing Association;  representation at the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing and many others.

Tormey also thanked other county agencies including public utilities and its Director Matt Longshore, the Sheriff’s Office and Fire-Rescue, which holds a special place in her heart. She gave a shout out to General Services, which is rarely mentioned but keeps “the place running.”

“It’s hard to leave a job you love and the people who became family.”

Assessments

Real Estate valuations for 2023, as of January 1, were mailed out mid January. Assistant Assessor Christie Hess presented the latest numbers to the board.

Total assessed valuation of all real property in the county increased by 9.6 percent over 2022. Hess attributed the increase to a rise in construction costs and dearth of improved properties for sale, creating  a ”seller’s market.” Looking ahead to next year, a further rise in values between four and five percent is expected.

As of February 7, said Hess, the assessor’s office has received 51 appeals so far, 8 of which are for commercial property. The deadline to appeal assessments is February 15. (Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/336/Appeals for details about appealing a property assessment.)

The total taxable assessed 2023 value for Goochland County is $7.84 billion. Of that $230 million is new construction, representing about a 3.3 percent of the value increase. Of this 18 percent is commercial, a significant portion of which is completion of two budlings in Avery Point; and 82 percent residential. Fair market value for land in the Tuckahoe Creek Service District is $2.03 billion, of that seven percent is new construction, 11.23 percent from increases in valuation. Land use assessment, for parcels engaged in agriculture or forestry are $734 million. Property in land use is taxed on a per acre basis whose rates are determined at the state level. Owners of parcels in land use must recertify that their land meets criteria for inclusion every year. Non compliance removes land from the program and land is assessed at the higher fair market value.

County Assessor Mary Ann Davis gave a brief history of the department, which was created 20 years ago. Before that, property was reassessed at four-year intervals by an outside vendor retained by the county. The annual cycle began in 2010.

Davis explained how property is valued. (go to https://www.goochlandva.us/318/Real-Estate-Assessments) for details about the Assessor’s Office. Her presentation included a chart showing the number of residential sales by price. For 2021 and 2022, 301 and 262 homes respectively were sold in the $500k to $800k price range. There were 425 closed sales. The average single family home price in 2022 for Goochland was $550 up 17.6 percent and the median (half below, half above) was $637,421 according to the Central Virginia Regional Multiple Listing Service.  Davis observed that these values are comparable to Loudon, not our surrounding counties.

Sales are reviewed for accuracy by research and field inspections then sampled for accuracy. Davis shared requirements for compliance with statutory mandates for appraisals. (Go to https://goochlandva.new.swagit.com/videos/207184 beginning at the 2:05 minute mark to hear the presentation in its entirety.) Assessors are historians, said Davis, because the valuations for 2023, for instance, are based on sales for 2022.

Board Chair Neil Spoonhower, District 2, thanked Davis for the presentation. “We (the supervisors) get accused all the time of raising taxes because we’re monkeying with the assessments.”

If a home sells for $500k the assessor checks to see how close the sale price is to the assessment. A 3,000 square foot home in District 1 might sell for a different price than one in District 5. “We look at them all  different ways to validate the assessment, all based on actual sales to keep the variance within three percent. Davis cautioned that homes are valued from the outside and failure to maintain  the interior of a home can have an impact on the sales price. That, she said, could be basis for an appeal.

Davis said that people who believe the assessed value of their home is excessive may not be aware of the state of the local real estate market. We work with those people to explain why this is what the market is saying.”

 

FY2023 second quarter projections

Director of Finance Carla Cave gave the supervisors an update on county finances for the second quarter of FY 2023. (Goochland operates on a fiscal year that runs from July 1 to June 30. Tax rates, however, are set on a calendar basis in April of each year.)

Cave expressed optimism that revenues will exceed expenses by approximately $5 million at the end of the fiscal year, which is a bit less than last year, due to lower projections for personal property tax revenues.

She opined that the excess is the result of assessed valuations coming in higher than anticipated when the budget was crafted. About 70 percent of personal property taxes for the fiscal year had been collected by the end of December 2022.

Expenditures said Cave are now expected to come in right around target. In spite of inflationary pressures, Cave expressed optimism that the end of year fiscal picture will be “rosier” with fingers crossed at the halfway point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not in my backyard

 

We give little thought to emergency services until we need to call 911. Minutes, if not seconds, matter to save lives and protect property.

On January 30, residents of Kinloch Villas, a 33-lot residential enclave on the west side of Hockett Road, north of Tuckahoe Creek Parkway, attended a community meeting about the new West Creek Fire-Rescue station. The site is opposite homes on the east side of Hockett Road.

Proposed West Creek fire-rescue station

Goochland County Administrator Vic Carpenter and D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. Goochland Chief of Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services, gave an overview of why the station—the first built out of the footprint of existing stations—is needed and, of greater importance to the attendees, why so close to their homes.

On November 4, 2019, a community meeting addressed the same topic. The possible location discussed then, was a parcel just south the one in question. It is unknown which adjoining property owners, if any, were notified of the 2019 meeting. At that time, Boone Homes was the owner of most the land on the west side of Hockett Road.

Many of the homes closest to the proposed fire-rescue station site were built since 2020. It appears that some people who recently bought homes in the Villas were unaware of the planned fire-rescue station.

Villas residents are concerned about the impact of a nearby fire-rescue station, especially the noise of sirens and apparatus, on their homes and property values.

(At the 2019 meeting a women said that she had lived opposite a fire-rescue station whose nighttime sirens never woke her children. She also said that she loved having them close because when one of her kids became ill, they were on the way to the hospital in five minutes.)

Both Carpenter and Ferguson explained that growth in eastern Goochland, especially residential, has drastically increased fire-rescue call volume in recent years. Using maps outlining response areas, they illustrated the need for an additional station in the county’s east end to meet rising demand for service as this part of the county, much still raw land, develops. Subdivisions in close proximity to the Tuckahoe Creek Parkway/Hockett Road intersection, including Mosaic, approximately 500 homes; Readers Branch, about 450; Tuckahoe Creek, 50; Songbird, 65; will be served by Goochland Fire-Rescue. Expected development at the south end of Hockett Road, whose form is yet unknown, will also add to call volume.

Ferguson explained that incidents on either 288 or Interstate 64 can tie up all available resources, fire trucks, ambulances, and most importantly people, of existing nearby fire-rescue companies, shifting the entire area’s response burden to a single  company. The West Creek station will complement coverage.

Contending that Henrico covers more area with fewer stations, some Villas residents questioned the need for another station at all and on Hockett Road in particular.

Existing county fire-rescue stations were built decades ago. While most are being renovated to accommodate career providers who work 24/7, there are limits to the utility of these upgrades.

One speaker said that Henrico locates its fire stations only in commercial areas. For the record, Henrico Station 19, on Kain Road west of Pouncey Tract Road, is surrounded by large homes whose prices start in the upper six figures. Apparatus at this station includes an ambulance, engine, and ladder truck, more than planned for the West Creek station.

This Henrico fire station is surrounded by high dollar homes.

In 2012, the owners of West Creek agreed to donate a five-acre site to the county for a fire-rescue station, the timing and location to be determined. Ferguson said that several sites were considered—except for the one discussed in 2019 adjoining the site in question—he declined to identify others—but that the Hockett Road location was deemed to be the best fit for long term county needs.

The parcel is currently zoned M-1 but must be rezoned to B-1, business general for use as a fire-rescue station. The community meeting is the first step in the county’s rezoning process.

Ferguson explained that most calls for service originate outside of West Creek. Increased distance and turning involved with exiting the now defunct West Creek emergency Center, for instance, would increase response times.  He also gave a brief overview of the importance of fast emergency response for both medical emergencies and fires. New homes, he said, are built with highly flammable materials that emit toxic fumes when they burn. Minutes matter in medical emergencies.

The proposed facility will include limited office space for sheriff’s deputies but no holding cells.

Residents’ questions whether the station could be built further back from Hockett Road were not addressed. Other locations were suggested, including part of a Capital One athletic field whose use declined during Covid.

Carpenter said that the donated land shaved millions of dollars from the cost of the new station—estimated in the $9 million range—and that the county will not condemn privately owned land, like that of Capital One, for public facilities. West Creek and Capital One are different entities.

The building has not yet been designed, but Carpenter said that it will be an attractive well-maintained facility. Drive through apparatus bays will reduce, if not eliminate, annoying back up alarms helping to mitigate some noise.

Traffic safety was addressed. There is general agreement that the 55mph speed limit on Hockett Road is too high.  That is controlled by VDOT, said Carpenter. The county can ask for a reduction, but there is no guarantee it will be lowered.

Signalization of the Hockett Road/Tuckahoe Creek Parkway interchange depends on VDOT warrant policy, which may include chicken bones and a full moon and over which Goochland also has no control.

Ferguson and Carpenter said that VDOT must approve all road improvements including line of sight, turn lanes, and a possible signal indicating activity at the station similar to that on Broad Street Road in front of Company 3.

The “slides” used at the meeting may be viewed at https://www.goochlandva.us/DocumentCenter/View/9207/Proposed-West-Creek-Fire-Station-Presentation-January-2023

Public hearings on the rezoning application will be held before the planning commission, perhaps as soon as March 2, and the board of supervisors, typically a month later. The supervisors make the final decision. Dates of the hearings will be posted on the county website goochlandva.us.