The proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Budget is a $17.7 million or 12.5% decrease from the Fiscal Year 2022 budget and would begin on July 1. The County General Fund budget at $74.2 million represents a $8.7 million or 13.2% increase from the current year.
Priorities for the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget include enhancing the high-quality core services provided by Education and Public Safety. Total County planned investments in Education for Fiscal Year 2023 are $25.5 million, a 4.1% or a $1.0 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 $3.1 million or 19.0% over the current fiscal year.
The Fiscal Year 2023 budget includes additional investments in employees. This budget builds upon recent 12% pay increases for uniformed Public Safety employees and $3,000 bonuses for all County employees in the current fiscal year, by providing a 3% pay increase for all employees. In addition, Goochland County is conducting a salary benchmark study and this budget sets aside funding for market level adjustments.
This is the fifth 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 2023 – FY 2047 CIP contains $505.5 million for forecasted projects including needed investments in education and public safety including new elementary schools, a new courthouse, and new fire stations. The first year of the CIP for FY 2023 is $16.5 million and includes investments in a new fire ladder truck, Goochland High School HVAC replacement, and a new West Creek Fire Station.
After hearing Mr. Alvarez’s proposal on February 22nd, the Board of Supervisors also heard presentations from Sheriff Steven N. Creasey, Fire-Rescue Chief Eddie Ferguson, Animal Protection Director Job Greene, and Human Resources Director Jessica Rice. Dr. Jeremy Raley, School Superintendent will present the proposed Schools’ budget on Tuesday, March 1st at 2 p.m.
The Board’s consideration of the FY 2023 budget continues March 1st and March 8th starting at 2 p.m., along with a CIP Work Session on Tuesday, March 15th starting at 2 p.m.
The County and Schools will hold three Joint Town Hall Meetings during the month of March. They start on March 10th in Eastern Goochland (Districts 4 & 5), continue March 22nd in Central Goochland (Districts 2 & 3), and March 31st in Western Goochland (District 1) all at 6:30 p.m. with options to participate in person or via Zoom. The public is invited to attend any and all meetings in person or participate virtually.
The public hearing on the budget and tax rates will be held on April 5th starting at 6 p.m. Adoption of the budget and tax rates is scheduled for 4 p.m. on April 19th. All meetings are open to the public.
The Interim County Administrator's Proposed FY 2023 Budget can be read at https://www.goochlandva.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2009.