Goochland County presents draft FY2026 budget, sets April public hearings on taxes and fee changes

Goochland County Administrator Mr. Carpenter on Tuesday presented the county's draft fiscal year 2026 budget, proposing a 9.2% increase across all funds to about $148,000,000 and recommending the county advertise the current real estate tax rate of 53 cents while scheduling public hearings on April 1 for the budget, tax rates and fee changes.

The draft budget, Carpenter said, is "a good budget" that "is a fundamentally sound budget," stresses public safety and includes a 3% cost-of-living salary increase for county and school employees, five new full-time deputy positions for the sheriff's office and capital spending including a $6,000,000 capital improvement appropriation this year and a five-year CIP totaling about $72,000,000.

The budget document presented shows the all‑funds total rising from roughly $136 million to $148 million; the administrator said the general fund is about $103.9 million and that assessed values from the January reassessment produced an estimated 11.4% increase in assessed value (about $5.4 million). Carpenter told the board the draft includes a projected $1,400,000 surplus based on conservative revenue assumptions.

Why it matters: The draft sets the county's starting point for public hearings and for the board's budget "sausage-making" process. It frames choices for supervisors on whether to use the projected surplus to cut taxes, increase spending on capital projects (including fire stations and a courthouse bond program) or to shore up reserves.

Key budget details and clarifications - All funds proposed: approximately $148,000,000 (a 9.2%…