Goochland County budget presenter outlines balanced FY 2027 plan with 3.7% general‑fund change

The Goochland County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 11 heard a detailed presentation of the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget that the presenter described as “needs‑based” and balanced, with general‑fund revenues and expenditures rising by $3,820,000, or about 3.7%.

The presentation, which included a multi‑month forecasting effort and a five‑year outlook, emphasized three lines of work: revenue forecasting, strategic abandonment of nonessential spending and targeted capital investments. The presenter said assessed property values and a projected 4% increase in January 2027 values underpin the revenue forecast and that property taxes remain the largest revenue source, at roughly $78.8 million.

Why it matters: the plan attempts to preserve core services while recognizing staffing, public‑safety and deferred capital needs. Board members said the five‑year perspective gives more accountability than single‑year budgeting and welcomed the emphasis on cost control.

Key details: the presenter said all‑funds revenue is $170.1 million, which includes about $16.9 million in proposed bond proceeds intended to fund the Ridgefield Booster Pump Station. Without the proposed debt, he said the all‑funds increase would be about $4.5 million (roughly 3.1%). The utilities budget was presented at $43.5 million, with a recommended 3% year‑over‑year residential and commercial rate increase and a 2.5% rise in connection fees to help cover debt service and capital projects.

On savings, staff identified approximately $3.4 million through what the presentation called “strategic abandonment,” including renegotiated copier leases, consolidation of contracted services, postponed vehicle replacements and trimming CIP appropriations. Examples listed included roughly $1.6 million of CIP reductions and nearly $700,000 from revised vehicle replacement timing.

Personnel and benefits: the recommendation includes several position requests tied to public safety and utilities — the presenter noted a sheriff’s request for an IT director and two dispatchers and proposed three utility FTEs (two superintendent roles and one construction inspector). The plan also includes a 3% raise for employees who receive a summative performance rating of “proficient or better” (presenter cited a $1,000,000 cost for the raises) and a proposal that the county absorb a 10% health‑insurance premium increase so employees see net pay gains.

Refuse and landfill costs: board members pressed the presenter on a sharp increase in landfill hauling costs in 2025 (presenter said hauling costs exceeded $700,000 versus a budget of roughly $450,000). The presenter suggested the county will pursue contract discussions with Republic to address rates when the current contract sunsets and recommended a $150,000 budget addition to accommodate recent hauling costs.

Schools and capital: the presenter listed a recommended local transfer to Goochland County Public Schools of $31,429,000 and outlined prioritized capital items totaling roughly $2.6 million (an ambulance, HVAC upgrades and school projects totaling about $1.76 million). The CTE addition to Goochland High School was noted as a school request not included in the current recommendation.

Board reaction and next steps: board members broadly praised the five‑year approach and the effort to find efficiencies but urged caution that one‑time savings may not be sustainable year to year. Several members asked staff for additional data on utility revenue anomalies, the composition of projected building permits (presenter said the expected $500,000 increase is driven mainly by commercial permits) and for a District/EDA work session to clarify growth targets tied to economic development prospects such as Eli Lilly and Amazon. The presenter said the next steps include a March 3 superintendent presentation, work sessions with the school board and a countywide town hall before final budget adoption expected May 5.

Votes at a glance: at the meeting’s start the board moved and approved procedural motions to adopt minutes from the Dec. 2, 2025 regular meeting and the Dec. 19, 2025 CIP work session; the motions were moved and seconded and the Chair called for ayes.

The meeting adjourned with the Board scheduling a joint work session for Feb. 25, 2026, at 6 p.m.

Sources: presentation and on‑record remarks to the Goochland County Board of Supervisors (Feb. 11, 2026).