Goochland’s Board of Supervisors elected District 3 Republican Ned S. Creasey to be its chairman at last week’s organizational meeting.

Creasey was the only one of four incumbents running for re-election to retain his seat.

Ken Peterson, who defeated Planning Commissioner Courtney Hyers for the Republican nomination in District 5 and then ran unopposed, was selected to be vice-chairman.

Also during its organizational meeting, in keeping with campaign promises by several candidates, the new board rolled back salary increases for itself passed by last year’s board. Supervisors will continue to earn $12,000 and the chairman $15,000.

District 1 Supervisor Susan Lascolette introduced the motion for the salary adjustment. The decision to keep salaries at their current levels was unanimous.

Creasey, chairing the board for the first time, said later in the week he was still learning the ropes. He said he would be open to the desires of the other supervisors in regard to setting meeting agendas.

“If supervisors request it, I’ll put it on the agenda,” he said.

Creasey said his top priorities are to provide for public safety, education and to streamline local government and make it more efficient and less intrusive.

The new chairman acknowledged the board faces another difficult budget year, after hearing Assessor Glenn Branham’s report, which noted a 4 percent decline compared to 2011 assessments.

Creasey, in keeping with his priorities, said many aging Sherriff’s Office vehicles, some of which have been driven more than 100,000 miles, need replacing. That could mean belt tightening elsewhere.

“Possibly some good programs might need to be cut,” he admitted.

An increase in real estate taxes to raise more money is not likely in the current environment, according to Creasey.

“No, I think we all of us campaigned on no property tax increases,” he said when questioned on that possibility.

The new chairman said he hoped a way could be found to slow the increase in ad valorem taxes in the Tuckahoe Creek Service District.

“It’s got to be dealt with,” said Creasey, who said he thought Peterson would concentrate his energies on that problem, with economic development and refinancing the county’s debt as possibilities.

On a more optimistic note, Creasey said he looked forward to a better working relationship with the new Goochland School Board, where five new members replaced last year’s board.

“ There will definitely be a better relationship,” predicted Creasey, adding that some of the new supervisors had campaigned together with the school board members in their districts.

Other challenges facing the county are filling key positions in county administration, said Creasey.

Chief among these are the Deputy County Administrator for Community Development position vacant since the death of Don Charles, the Human Resources Director job, held briefly this year by Ann Perkins and the Economic Development Director position now being recruited for.

Peterson said this year’s budget process would be difficult..

“This is an especially challenging process when real estate values decline. We are just now beginning the process, so it is hard to tell where it will take us,” he said.

The board next meets on January 19 in the Board Conference Room at 8:30 a.m. for a day-long budget work session.