Counties in VACo Region 13 congregated in Scott County on June 11 at the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Interpretive Center to discuss important issues facing localities in the region and assist VACo staff in crafting the Association’s legislative program for the upcoming 2025 legislative session. This was the third of eight regional meetings scheduled for 2024.
The meeting began with staff from the Daniel Boone Center welcoming us all to the Center and giving us an overview of the historically important role Daniel Boone and the wilderness trail played in America’s westward expansion.
We were delighted to be joined by Delegate Terry Kilgore as a guest speaker for the event. Delegate Kilgore began by going over some key budget highlights that are of note to counties and specifically for those in region 13. This includes the 3% raise for state police and local constitutional officers, K-12 funding, funding for a planned inland port in southwest Virginia, as well as funding for mental health services and housing. While there are many successes on which to build, Delegate Kilgore mentioned items that he and his staff are focused on heading into the 2025 session.
Next on the agenda was an opportunity for a representative from each county to outline top issues or legislative priorities. Several issues emerged as common areas of concern, including housing, dilapidated buildings, public safety, unfunded mandates and education funding.
Discussed often was the topic of housing, including housing affordability and the infrastructure needed to coincide with this type of development. Counties regularly discussed the need for more housing in the region as well as creative ways to use economic development funds to help with the infrastructure needed for housing development. Counties expressed the need for assistance in removing or redeveloping dilapidated buildings, which can be expensive but also vital to economic development. Counties in the region expressed concern with many issues in public safety including law enforcement officers being taken off the road and out of the county to transport individuals who are subject to Temporary Detention Orders, dwindling numbers of volunteers to support fire and rescue services, and costly equipment. Counties in the region are looking for solutions to the public safety problems they face. Counties in the region discussed the difficulties faced with unfunded mandates such as the resources needed to administer elections, as well as challenges posed by limited state support for Constitutional offices. Lastly, education funding and school capital needs were discussed as they have been at many recent VACo meetings.
VACo is grateful to the regional members; Cody Mumpower, Deputy District Director in Congressman Griffith’s office; Tyler Lester, Legislative Director for Senator Pillion; and business partners who participated in the meeting. VACo would like to give a special thanks to Delegate Kilgore for speaking to the group. Lastly, VACo would like to thank Scott County and the staff at the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail and Interpretive Center for hosting and sharing their wonderful facility with us.
VACo Contact: James Hutzler