May board meeting highlghts

 

With the budget for FY 2024 approved and tax rates set for calendar year 2023—you should have received your tax bills in the mail—Goochland supervisors addressed a light agenda at their May 2 meeting.

The board began its agenda with the following proclamations:

May is older Americas month. This is especially fitting for Goochland, as our population is greying. Christopher Leighton, Director of Communications for Senior Connections, the area agency on aging that serves Goochland, thanked the board for its support. He pointed out that approximately one quarter of the county’s current population is over the age of 60 and its median age is 45. This will increase significantly in the coming months when the 500 home Mosaic and 1,500-unit Avery Point, both senior citizen enclaves currently under construction in West Creek, are occupied.

Next up was May as Business Appreciation Month. Ben Slone, Chair of the Goochland Economic Development Authority, Sara Worley, the county’s Director of Economic Development, and Carol Taylor, Executive Director of the Goochland Chamber of Commerce (goochlandchamber.org) were recognized.

“The proclamation recognizes and celebrates “the accomplishments of our existing businesses that run the gamut from entrepreneurs, small, minority, women-owned, non-profits, to major employers that contribute to the economic health of Goochland County. Goochland businesses provide over 20,000 jobs to the citizens of Goochland and Greater Richmond Region, as well as offering a variety of goods and services worldwide.”

Slone thanked the board for recognizing that local businesses really do drive the county’s economy and make a significant contribution to the quality of life here.

Taylor echoed Slone’s thanks and her appreciation for the partnership between the Chamber and Economic Development Department.

Public Service Recognition Week is May 7-13 Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW). “This time is set aside to honor those who serve our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees. Throughout the nation and the world, this occasion is used to educate others about the work public employees do and why they have chosen public service careers. This week also highlights the many ways government services make life better for all of us.”

Goochland County Administrator Vic Carpenter said that “people don’t understand all that goes on to make the county function like it does. No one takes on this role as a job, it’s a calling. People come to public service because they know they can make a difference in the life and fabric of a community, and it means something to them.”

These are the folks that show up every day and work hard to keep local government functioning.

Small area plan meetings

The end seems to be in sight for the small area plan initiative launched in early 2022. Timmons Group, which was retained by the county earlier this year to craft final versions of the plans, will make brief presentations and hold question-and-answer sessions for both Centerville and Courthouse Village as follows:

Centerville, May 16 at the Residence Inn at the Notch.

Courthouse Village, May 18 at the County Administration Building.

Both start at 6 p.m.

The Timmons proposals will move to special meetings of both the planning commission and supervisors in June for public hearings.

Details of the revisions will be posted on the county website https://www.goochlandva.us/ for review before the May meetings.

Goochland Economic Development will hold an “ask us anything” open house on Friday, May 12 from 9 to 5 at the Goochland Business Center, 2931 River Road West in Courthouse Village. This is a great opportunity for local businesses and citizens to learn more about growing enterprises in the county.

Fire-Rescue Department survey

The deadline to respond to the Fire-Rescue Department’s master plan survey has been extended to May 14. Please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GoochlandCountyFireRescue to participate.

 

Broadband update

Broadband cannot come soon enough for those in areas of the county without internet service. Community Affairs Manager Paul Drumwright, presented a progress report on the initiative to expand broadband to a much wider swath of the county.

As has been mentioned earlier, broadband expansion in Goochland is something of a patchwork project, which complicates completion.

Drumwright began with the good news that Rappahannock Electric Cooperative celebrated initial connections in both Goochland and Louisa counties. Electric utilities participating in broadband expansion are building middle mile infrastructure. Final connections will be made by Firefly Fiber Broadband, which is also an internet service provider. (Go to fireflyva.com for details.)

Ten homes have been connected in the Shannon Hill area and more will be connected soon, said Drumwright.

He reported that two new areas, Caledonia and Tabscott-Hadensville, have been added to the map. Dominion and Firefly are working on field survey work there. Current estimates for connection in those areas is the end of 2024.

Drumwright reiterated the importance of registering interest in connection on the Firefly website.

Secondary Six Year Plan

The supervisors unanimously approved the VDOT SSYP to allocate funds to complete the roundabout currently under construction at the intersection of Sandy Hook and Fairground Roads in Courthouse Village and pave Ben Lemond Road in the Three Square Area.

Roundabout under construction

 Fourth Quarter Projections

Director of Finance Carla Cave presented projected results for the last quarter of FY23, which ends on June 30.  “Operating expenditures are forecast to be $71.9 million, or $1.5 million below budget. Overall, operating revenues are projected to exceed operating expenditures by approximately $14.3 million. After transfers, the total fund balance is projected to increase $8.3 million to $55.9 million.”

To view the video and transcript go to the county website https://www.goochlandva.us/ and click on “watch county meetings”.