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Goochland administrator outlines FY27 budget, capital projects and utility rate proposals
Summary
The county administrator presented a proposed FY27 general fund of roughly $107.8 million (a 3.7% increase), said there would be no real-estate or personal property tax-rate increases in the proposal, flagged $3.4 million in cuts labeled "strategic abandonment," and previewed capital projects including Station 8, Station 7, a near-$4 million communications tower and proposed municipal utility rate increases.
Goochland County Administrator Jeremy presented the proposed FY27 budget to residents at a town hall, laying out revenue drivers, planned cuts and capital priorities.
Jeremy said the general-fund proposal is approximately $107.8 million, an overall 3.7% increase from FY26 that includes about $3.8 million in new money. "The budget that I propose does not include an increase in real estate tax rate and does not include an increase in the personal property tax rate," Jeremy told the audience, noting the county still faces capital and staffing needs.
The presentation highlighted $3.4 million of identified reductions described as "strategic abandonment," including contract reviews and capital deferrals. Jeremy also described a planned amendment to increase the local transfer to schools by $1.56 million to support education priorities.
On public safety and capital, Jeremy said the board previously authorized the county administrator to sign a contract for Station 8 (corner of Route 522 and Whitehall Road) and that the FY27 proposal includes funds to hire initial firefighters (three to five positions) and to staff a future station. He also said the board had appropriated funds in February to purchase three fire engines and a tanker, saving the county an estimated $800,000 by purchasing ahead of anticipated price increases.
The proposed all-funds utility budget is $43.5 million and includes a nearly $17 million debt-financed east-end infrastructure project. Staff signaled planned user-rate adjustments to municipal water and sewer on the east end: a 3% year-over-year rate increase and a 2.5% increase in connection fees; both would be presented for public hearing on April 7.
Jeremy described several capital projects: a proposed communications tower on the east end (estimated near $4 million) to improve redundancy for fire and law-enforcement communications, continued work on Station 7 design, courthouse planning and reuse options for the old elementary school property. He also summarized the 2021 bond referendum ($96 million total) and said approximately $46 million of bond proceeds remain to be allocated to county and school projects.
Next steps in the budget calendar: public hearings on the proposed budget, tax rates and fees on April 7; the board will set the tax rate on April 14; and final budget adoption is planned for May 5, with public comment opportunities at those meetings.
