News Flash

Goochland County Administrator Victor Carpenter presented a proposed All Funds Budget of $134 million for Fiscal Year 2025 to the Goochland County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, February 20th.  The proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Budget is a $7.4 million or 5.2% decrease from the Fiscal Year 2024 budget and would begin on July 1.  The County General Fund budget at $59.7 million represents a $7.1 million or 13.4% increase from the current year.

Priorities for the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget include supporting expanded Public Safety needs and maintaining competitive employee compensation. Total County planned investments in Education for Fiscal Year 2025 are $29.3 million, a 7.8% or a $2.1 million increase in local funding for Schools over the prior year (not including Capital Improvements).  The budget for Public Safety, a key focus area for the proposed budget, grew by $3.9 million or 16.9% over the current fiscal year.  

The Fiscal Year 2025 budget includes additional investments in employees. This budget provides a 5% pay increase for all employees. These additional pay increases will help Goochland County retain our trained staff and stay competitive in the current market. 

This is the seventh year of developing a County and Schools twenty-five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to meet the capital needs of the County and Schools. The FY 2025 – FY 2049 CIP contains $643.5 million for forecasted projects including needed investments in information technology, facilities, and public safety. The first year of the CIP for FY 2025 is $7.9 million and includes investments in a new fire engine and ambulance, funding for a new Courthouse, facility repairs, and vehicle replacements. 

The Proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Budget may change during Board of Supervisor review between its presentation and scheduled adoption.

After hearing Mr. Carpenter’s proposal on February 20th, the Board of Supervisors also heard presentations from Sheriff Steven N. Creasey and Fire-Rescue Chief Eddie Ferguson.  Dr. Micheal Cromartie, School Superintendent will present the proposed Schools’ budget on Tuesday, March 5th.

The Board’s consideration of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget continues with a CIP Work Session on Tuesday, March 18th starting at 12:00 p.m.

The County and Schools will hold four Joint Town Hall Meetings during the month of March.  They start on March 7th in Eastern Goochland (District 5), continue March 11th in Western Goochland (District 1), March 18th in Central Goochland (Districts 2 & 3), and March 25th in Eastern Goochland (District 4) all at 6:00 p.m. with options to participate in person or view via livestream.  The public is invited to attend any and all meetings in person or watch virtually.

The public hearing on the budget and tax rates will be held on April 2nd starting at 6 p.m.  Adoption of the budget and tax rates is scheduled for April 16th.  All meetings are open to the public. 

The County Administrator’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Budget can be read at https://goochlandva.us/DocumentCenter/View/10187/2---FY2025-GOOCHLAND-COUNTY-PROPOSED-BUDGET?bidId= and a copy of his budget presentation is available at  https://goochlandva.us/DocumentCenter/View/10186/FY2025-COUNTY-ADMINISTRATORS-BUDGET-PRESENTATION?bidId=, both of which are posted to the County website at https://www.goochlandva.us/263/Financial-Services.  

A recording of the presentation is available at https://goochlandva.new.swagit.com/videos/297877.