[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6094455,"mediaKeyId","2842862-c8a5c04d4cd15f13cdb56fb3a4e6fd44","parentId",2842862,"title","Goochland holds public hearing on proposed water/sewer and plan-review fee increases; staff says replacement and renewal planning underway","audioSeconds",145,"startMs",16038000,"endMs",16183000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842862-c8a5c04d4cd15f13cdb56fb3a4e6fd44&start=16038&end=16183","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842862-c8a5c04d4cd15f13cdb56fb3a4e6fd44/thumbnail_16038000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6094455/Goochland-County/Virginia/Goochland-holds-public-hearing-on-proposed-watersewer-and-plan-review-fee-increases-staff-says-replacement-and-renewal-planning-underway","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094455-923df868dc1406e273bb1fb7857b937f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169292&Signature=j~IXv4PSVHw2imdtsTTmS2PrJN4orXxvb2cJlHXvIY-bhF8aR~W8Fyp7NO-ZEPAXdraf73MvXv-ZSQFTfsri2XEPtz9y-XdhbyGY6ZeOBS1fdrqt1HYSiHiSB~9nVpNHOIwa00xNClm46yXRLvSjYoeghfvHZKK5EU00icPZo~jgHLJV18VxWnfm8bPY7ZUVKwhMcnJjHSt7AwZOkGamzOrVxhFCOw5TSs2rlNH08PJ2vaoqY7m9XFz2FDV8KbYuedqnER0HMErQDe7O25hqwJetpqIAvfzq16WDkeyXKSHs1whv4kVx49da2cHBYQd1kUH2K-CEVu1I9qZLLGiW8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Goochland County, VA","date","2025-04-02T05:30:21.367Z","article","Goochland County opened a public hearing April 1 on proposed amendments to the county fee schedule that would raise water and sewer user and connection fees by 2.5% and revise building-plan review re-review fees. The proposed changes also raise the commercial plan re-review fee from $100 to $250 and add a residential plan re-review fee (transcript read as \"$2.50\").

Acting Director of Public Utilities Wayne Stevens addressed supervisor questions about aging infrastructure in the county’s Lower Tuckahoe service area (lines installed in 1968, not originally in the Tuckahoe Creek service district and supplied from outside the county). Stevens said the county maintains separate budgets and funds for operations-and-maintenance and for replacement-and-renewal (R&R). He said rate studies, updated every two years and last revised in the prior year, drive planned rate increases and long-term funding for repairs and replacement. Stevens said staff will bring a more detailed R&R plan to future budgets and that user fees are intended to cover R&R spending while connection fees are used for capital projects.

Why it matters: several parts of the county operate on older water infrastructure that will require significant investment over time. Supervisors asked specifically whether the proposed fee adjustments will address large replacement needs on older mains and Stevens replied that while annual operations budgets and the R&R fund are used to repair and replace assets, a detailed, multi-year R&R plan is being developed and will inform future rate adjustments.

Public hearing details from staff presentation (as presented by Miss Kaye):
- Water and sewer user and connection fees increased by 2.5% for all users (proposed).
- Commercial plan re-review fee increased from $100 to $250.
- A new residential plan re-review fee was introduced (transcript reads \"$2.50\"); staff did not clarify the unit or confirm the figure on the record at the hearing.

Board action and next steps: the public hearing proceeded and was closed during the April 1 session; no final fee ordinance vote was taken that evening. Staff will include proposed fee changes as part of the overall budget and rate package for board consideration on April 15 or in a subsequent advertised rate action, as required by code.

Ending: Public-utilities staff said they are preparing a more detailed replacement-and-renewal plan and will present it in coming budget discussions and rate studies; supervisors thanked staff and closed the hearing.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Goochland Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting 4/1/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At an April 1 public hearing Goochland County staff proposed modest increases to water and sewer user and connection fees, higher commercial plan re-review fees and a new residential plan re-review fee; Public Utilities staff said replacement-and-renewal planning and biennial rate studies cover system maintenance and future repairs.","taxTitle","Goochland County, Virginia","taxId",30989,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6094464,"Goochland Historical Society and county unveil online historic map viewer in partnership with GIS",1032,554000,1586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842862-c8a5c04d4cd15f13cdb56fb3a4e6fd44&start=554&end=1586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842862-c8a5c04d4cd15f13cdb56fb3a4e6fd44/thumbnail_554000.jpg","/articles/6094464/Goochland-County/Virginia/Goochland-Historical-Society-and-county-unveil-online-historic-map-viewer-in-partnership-with-GIS","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094464-921164a4b423530d6df1ccc9c3ada733/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169292&Signature=Sn8axFZrcGsuOB54iWXETwMFnfa9VwUkEriTAzU~Fy5owTpp4zEKkJD2ScN601nKG0FzmfE935yfLdKvrdKUmarqn9GI4b4O-JTOtou74MwRpIbokkIToq3RiCUkb5SCQYoKeQw7TEJJE~v40AOM-6lcbZlqXzu-DQi2YBnQAuJYBF0fJswKpJzcUmdKpVdJYuPqemUy2Rj7R6yA9aHsox-fu8Lf-cNwRTSl4QHw4rfVsN2MsXc3yXBxfCSgZZ0IT6J88dkEfXP7u3egnJ6HHRTVR8dKJWJ6fguqM1BeRuZtCNxNHPDKh2NfwaT94kFq1kbwnEWDKaZDMh7a7yg~Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Goochland Historical Society President Robin Lynn and the county’s GIS coordinator John Worley demonstrated a new historic map viewer to the Goochland County Board of Supervisors on April 1, showing interactive overlays of historic maps from the early 19th century through the 20th century atop the county’s current digital mapping system.

The tool, developed in collaboration between the county GIS office and the Historical Society over roughly five years, lets users choose which historic maps to overlay, compare alignments and identify features such as historic roads, mills, churches and landowners. Presenters said the viewer includes scans such as the John Wood 1824 survey (printed 1826), a detailed 1863 map by James Gilmer, a late-19th-century John George topographical map and a 1932 Virginia Department of Highways map tied to the Byrd Road Act era.

Why it matters: the viewer supports local research, planning and preservation by making primary historic cartography accessible and comparable to current features. Presenters noted use cases including verifying historic rights-of-way, tracing road alignments that have shifted over time, and supporting homeowners and historians who wish to investigate historical property and landscape features.

Key points from the presentation:
- The John Wood map (1824 survey) shows water systems, roads, ferries, bridges, mills and some named property owners; the printed sheet measures over 44 square feet in its original form and is on exhibit at the Library of Virginia through June.
- The Gilmer 1863 map includes fine details such as roads later abandoned and annotations that explain historic alignments near Crozier and Shallowell Road (near Hebron Presbyterian Church).
- The John George map shows early estimates of cleared land, forest and school population; presenters noted its historical value for studying county land use and institutions.
- The 1932 highway map reflects the transfer of county roads to the Virginia Department of Highways (now VDOT) following the Byrd Road Act and shows projected route work that later became Route 250.

Technical and access details: Mr. Worley said the viewer will be accessible from both the Goochland County and Goochland Historical Society websites. Presenters distributed a QR code to demonstration attendees for direct access and said multiple entry points will be provided.

Board questions and staff responses: a supervisor asked about shifting boundary lines and whether historic maps had been reconciled to modern legal boundaries. Presenters cautioned maps reflect historical surveying and that some features (for example, churches noted near boundary lines) may have been listed on one side of a historical county boundary that moved over time; where legal boundaries were in question, presenters said courts had previously adjudicated boundary lines and those legal determinations take precedence.

Ending: Board members thanked the Historical Society and GIS staff for the tool. Staff said the viewer should assist planners, property owners and historians and would remain available online for public use.","The Goochland Historical Society and county GIS staff demonstrated a new online historic map viewer on April 1 that overlays historic maps (including John Wood's 1824 survey and later maps) on current digital mapping, intended for residents, planners and historians.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6094466,"Goochland supervisors open public hearings on FY26 budget and keep advertised real-estate rate at 53¢",2471,14900000,17371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842862-c8a5c04d4cd15f13cdb56fb3a4e6fd44&start=14900&end=17371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842862-c8a5c04d4cd15f13cdb56fb3a4e6fd44/thumbnail_14900000.jpg","/articles/6094466/Goochland-County/Virginia/Goochland-supervisors-open-public-hearings-on-FY26-budget-and-keep-advertised-real-estate-rate-at-53","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094466-403e90f3fabca614de3ccd60662128bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169292&Signature=n9PANC7sYLVQcAWWiUQB25UcG7pnNtgPH8iBzMNDMHhx8q05N1leJcVLcERn0efuwF90CYnydDq0GVKG4Rrb6ZqMaTwOS6ODv2dcc97MNYJKRu4dvSV26-IaTh5ST~M5nqg3Do-TbhwZmxRRpZpv~dXlZcGo1KB7-jW67A4Hk~SZzGUMMR1FQhA3HFwf1fn7ediKFpiZUbjsyo889u6~GX3pS43biob1JNDMBJLH~CDETx6SSJ3uRzMJE27kPPCwx79-QJglk1lLy32WMHHSMfOk2IEXVCL2W0AMY~igSF9-ow3sFHUzCe9EqZZOFgjnnKmpS3fYxNNZINn4EP7fHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Goochland County Board of Supervisors on April 1 opened public hearings on the county's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, reviewed staff-proposed amendments and held citizen comment on tax relief and reserve balances. The board did not change the advertised real-estate tax rate, which remains at 53 cents per $100 of assessed value; the board set a final vote on the budget and tax rates for April 15.

The proposed FY26 general fund totals $148,597,906, according to Finance Director Carla Cave. Staff described major increases in general government spending (largely new software and a third county attorney), public safety (additional positions and mandated pay adjustments) and utilities. County staff reported that without adding new-construction revenue, assessed values rose 8.6% year over year; an “effective” rate that would produce the same revenue as last year would be approximately 49 cents, staff said, meaning the advertised rate represents an effective increase in revenue collection.

Why it matters: the budget sets property-tax obligations for homeowners and funds prioritized services including schools, sheriff’s office and fire rescue. Board members said the FY26 packet reflects both locally driven needs and state mandates that affect payroll costs and emergency services.

The draft budget and amendments presented April 1 included:
- Total proposed general-fund budget: $148,597,906.
- New or reclassified positions and one-time allocations added in amendments: funding for six additional firefighters (the amended package reflects a total public-safety staffing increase and related reclassifications), a residential plans examiner in building inspections, and $300,000 additional support for schools. Staff also proposed an increase to the advanced life support (ALS) stipend for qualifying firefighters from $7,000 to $11,000 to remain regionally competitive.
- State-driven payroll items described by staff: a mandated 1.5% employee bonus for state-supported constitutional offices and a separate mandated 6% dispatcher pay increase the county must reflect for those positions; the county presented a uniform 1.5% bonus for all employees in recognition of precedent and fairness across departments.

Public comment and board questions focused on reserves, tax relief and how growth is handled. Resident Todd Kaufman urged the board to explain the county’s surplus cash fund (he said the county’s balance is “approximately $60 million,” with about $30 million unassigned) and offered three options: draw on reserves for the capital improvements program (CIP), increase the assumed real-property growth from 3% to 4% in revenue projections, and conduct department-by-department audits to identify operational savings. Kaufman also urged improved assessor operations and drive-by inspections to keep assessment rolls accurate.

Board members discussed trade-offs: several supervisors said they prefer to preserve reserve levels in order to maintain favorable borrowing terms and to cover an extensive CIP backlog the county faces in coming years. Supervisor discussion noted that holding higher reserves can reduce future bond interest costs; one supervisor estimated that a 1% reduction in interest on a $50 million bond could save the county roughly $6 million over the bond term.

County staff noted other budget drivers: an expanded information-technology portfolio, increased contractual costs, costs tied to utilities and capital project timing that shifts some expenditures between operating and CIP budgets. Staff said the capital program line decreased year over year by roughly $1.7 million (about 23%) in this proposal because some projects moved into operating lines or timing changed.

Process and next steps: the board opened and closed the public comment period on the budget at the April 1 meeting and scheduled the formal vote on the FY26 budget, tax rates and CIP adoption for April 15. Staff will continue to present detail to the board between now and the vote; several supervisors said they remain open to additional information before casting final votes.

Votes at a glance (formal actions recorded during the April 1 meeting):
- Proclamation recognizing April as Crime Victims’ Rights Week — outcome: approved (unanimous voice vote). Motion moved from the floor; mover/second not specified on record. (Provenance: transcript entries at 352.615–536.815 and 544.15–549.53.)
- Proclamation recognizing April as Hunger Awareness Month — outcome: approved (unanimous voice vote). (Provenance: transcript entries at 2342.765–2466.1401 and 2472.835–2492.6199.)
- Approval of minutes (March 4) — outcome: approved (voice vote). (Provenance: transcript entries at 2556.905–2570.3198.)
- Consent agenda authorization to allow the county administrator to execute a memorandum of understanding with Calian Hospitality LLC (hotel partnership for temporary housing) — outcome: approved (voice vote). Staff described the arrangement as a negotiated accommodation rate; staff noted they will still compare available government rates when used. (Provenance: transcript entries at 3771.866–3846.435 and 3928.675–3943.45.)

Sources and evidence: the article draws on the board meeting transcript, the finance director’s budget presentation and public comments delivered at the meeting (Carla Cave, Manny Alvarez, Todd Kaufman, and several supervisors). The board will consider final adoption of the FY26 budget and tax rates at its April 15 meeting.

Ending: The board will reconvene for continued budget deliberations and the formal vote on April 15; staff and board members signaled they would accept additional materials and follow-up analyses before that date.","At a public meeting April 1 the Goochland County Board of Supervisors heard the proposed $148.6 million FY26 budget, discussed amendments that add firefighters, salary adjustments tied to state mandates, and left the advertised real-estate tax rate unchanged at 53 cents per $100 of assessed value; final votes are scheduled for April 15.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Goochland holds public hearing on proposed water/sewer and plan-review fee increases; staff says replacement and renewal planning underway

Goochland Historical Society and county unveil online historic map viewer in partnership with GIS

Goochland supervisors open public hearings on FY26 budget and keep advertised real-estate rate at 53¢