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Goochland administrator unveils FY27 budget plan with targeted data‑center tax change and capital projects
Summary
County Administrator Jeremy Raley presented a proposed FY27 budget that increases general-fund spending by about $3.8 million (3.7%), forecasts $55 million in additional real-estate valuation revenue, proposes a data‑center-specific tax rate increase only, and schedules public hearings in April and a final vote in May.
County Administrator Jeremy Raley presented the proposed FY27 budget and timetable at the town hall, saying the plan increases general‑fund resources by about $3.8 million (3.7%) and forecasts roughly $55,000,000 of additional revenue tied to higher real‑estate valuations. Raley said the proposal does not raise the general real‑estate or personal‑property tax rates but includes a targeted tax-rate increase for data centers.
Raley described $3.4 million in "strategic abandonment" cuts — reductions to professional services, contingency and deferrable capital projects — that help balance the budget while maintaining priorities for public safety, education and transportation. Key proposed investments include a $1,560,000 increase in the local transfer to schools (to be proposed as an amendment to the board on April 7), an IT director for the sheriff's office, two additional dispatchers and funding for three firefighter/EMT hires in July.
The utilities fund is proposed at about $43.5 million, which includes debt service for an East End infrastructure project estimated near $17 million; the plan includes a 3% year‑over‑year user‑rate increase and a 2.5% increase in connection fees for municipal water/sewer on the East End. Raley said those increases are consistent with neighboring jurisdictions.
Capital projects highlighted include Station 8 (corner of Route 522 and Whitehall Road), where the board authorized the administrator to sign a contract and which is expected to break ground in April with completion targeted for May 2027, and a planned appropriation request on April 7 for Station 7 design services. Raley also noted remaining proceeds from the 2021 bond referenda (approximately $46 million) and said those funds may not fully cover a proposed new courthouse without additional funding sources.
Public participation steps and dates: the county will hold a public hearing on the budget and tax rates at 6:00 p.m. on April 7, set tax rates on April 14, and consider final budget adoption and CIP appropriations on May 5. Raley encouraged residents to attend, submit comments, and use the county app and website to follow updates.
