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Goochland EDA amends bylaws to let economic development director approve urgent spending up to $25,000
Summary
The authority amended its bylaws Aug. 20 to replace the term 'secretary' with 'economic development director' in expedited‑spending language, enabling the director to authorize up to $25,000 for out‑of‑the‑ordinary transactions after phone approval from the chair or, in the chair's absence, the vice chair.
The Goochland County Economic Development Authority on Aug. 20 approved an amendment to its bylaws to permit expedited expenditures in urgent cases. The body debated language that previously authorized the 'secretary' to act and on a proposal clarified that the intended designee is the economic development director (a staff role), not a board secretary (which could be an elected member and not a staffer).
Members said the change was intended to enable quicker action in time‑sensitive opportunities — for example, to allocate funds to support a study or to respond to a business opportunity that requires rapid commitment. One member warned the wording should be explicit to avoid future ambiguity; another said the secretary is the officer who keeps the checkbook, but the friendly amendment replacing 'secretary' with 'economic development director' was accepted.
The revised bylaw also contemplates that approvals can be obtained via phone from the chair or, in the chair's absence, the vice chair. Members discussed limiting the drawdown authority to a designated fund (the Building and Site Infrastructure Fund) and confirmed that fund exists and is the intended source for such expedited expenditures.
The motion to approve the amended bylaw passed by voice vote; the EDA will schedule a future agenda item to elect a new secretary once the county hires a new economic development director to fill staff vacancies.
