Congressman Gerry Connolly Speaks at the Region 8 Meeting
VACo held its last regional meeting for 2024 on September 26th in service of VACo Region 8 county members. VACo staff had the honor of hosting local, state and federal elected officials and staff during this virtual meeting. These regional meetings allow VACo staff to hear directly from county staff and elected officials on the […]
VACo County Pulse Podcast – Energy Landscape of Virginia Series with Joe Lerch | Episode 5
Season 4 Energy Landscape of Virginia Series with Joe Lerch Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 5 | Reclaiming the Landscape of Southwest Virginia for Energy | Part 1 and Part 2 Part 1. Reclaiming the Landscape of Southwest Virginia for Energy. Listen in to Part 1 of a two-part episode recorded in Washington County, where […]
Visit Powhatan County and the Powhatan County Historic Courthouse
PHOTO SOURCE: Virginia Department of Historic Resources Location: 3880 Old Buckingham Road / Scottsville RoadBuilt: 1848 – 1849Style: Greek RevivalArchitect: Alexander Jackson DavisContractor: K Lewis Johnson Description: The building faces west and is a two story cream colored stucco structure. The building is located on spacious landscaped grounds in the center of Powhatan. The original […]
VACo Releases Its 2025 Legislative Program
VACo has released its 2025 Legislative Program, which was adopted by membership on November 12 at the Annual Business Meeting. The 2025 Legislative Program was drafted through VACo’s steering committee process. The document has a host of important and timely proposed policy statements, including language pertaining to K-12 education funding, local taxing authority, stormwater regulations, […]
VACo Provides Public Testimony at Federal Hearing on OSHA’s Proposed Emergency Response Standard for Fire Brigades
On Wednesday, November 20, VACo staff provided testimony at a public hearing for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed rule to update regulations regarding emergency response workers, who often face substantial occupational hazards. VACo staff stressed to the OSHA panel and presiding Judge how additional unfunded mandates proposed in the rule could pose yet […]
JLARC Report Outlines Serious Concerns with Virginia Department of Health’s Financial Management, Staffing, Workplace Culture
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) received a report from its staff on November 7 outlining serious problems with the Virginia Department of Health’s financial management, staffing, and workplace culture. JLARC members had directed this review in fall 2023, directing staff to review the operations and management of the Virginia Department of Health […]
Report on Preemptive and Ongoing Health Care to Local Government Employees Exposed to Toxic Materials Published
A report from a workgroup charged with identifying and analyzing options to help ensure that local government employees who respond to emergencies that expose them to toxic materials have appropriate preemptive and ongoing health care was recently published and recommends state grant funding to support eligible localities. This fund would help localities in supporting their […]
Behavioral Health Commission Receives Briefings on Permanent Supportive Housing, Crisis System; Local Contributions to CSBs Expected to be Area of Focus in 2025
The Behavioral Health Commission’s Executive Committee met on November 4 to plan the Commission’s work for 2025, and the full Commission met on November 12 for a series of briefings from its staff, as well as staff to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, Deputy Health and Human Resources Secretary Leah Mills, and DBHDS […]
Regions 6 & 7 Members Outline Their Legislative Priorities at Meeting
On September 23, VACo held a regional meeting for counties in VACo Regions 6 and 7. This meeting was done virtually, and it was lovely to have such a great turnout and hear the conversations among VACo staff, local leaders, members of the Virginia General Assembly and our federal partners. The meeting began with Virginia […]
Counties eligible for federal funds to implement energy efficiency programs – December 6 Deadline to Apply
The Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy) is offering subgrants to eligible local governments for the marketing, education, and outreach of energy efficiency and conservation programs for residential energy consumers and contractors. The application deadline has been extended to Friday, December 6, 2024. Through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding, Virginia Energy […]
VACo Recognizes the Class of 2024 of the Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program
RICHMOND (November 14, 2024)—The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) recognized the Class of 2024 – the second graduating class of the revamped Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program – during VACo’s 90th Annual Conference. The Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program consists of three core courses – budgeting; planning, land use, and infrastructure; and leadership. The program […]
Ruth Larson Elected VACo President for 2024-2025
RICHMOND (November 13, 2024) — James City County Supervisor Ruth Larson has been elected as President of the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) for the 2024-2025 term. This announcement was made during VACo’s 90th Annual Conference held in Bath County with new officers beginning their terms at VACo’s Annual Business Meeting on November 12. Larson, […]
2024 Annual Conference Breakout Sessions Presentations and Videos
10 – 11:15 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS STATE BUDGET OUTLOOK SESSION VIDEO MODERATOR: The Honorable Dan Storck, Supervisor, Fairfax County SPEAKER: James J. Regimbal, Jr., VACo Economist, and Principal, Fiscal Analytics, Ltd. PRESENTATION Jim Regimbal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-kGeVEDY_M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMq3snHKydE MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER WITH OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS SESSION VIDEO MODERATOR: The Honorable Pam Carter, Supervisor, […]
2024 VACo Annual Conference Recap
November 13 – 15 | Richmond City
VACo County Pulse – Energy Landscape of Virginia Series with Joe Lerch | Episode 5
Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 5 | Reclaiming the Landscape of Southwest Virginia for Energy | Part 1 Listen to the Podcast Part 1. Reclaiming the Landscape of Southwest Virginia for Energy. Listen in to Part 1 of a two-part episode recorded in Washington County, where we sit down with business partners Will Clear and […]
Latest Updates on Federal Regulatory Changes to Prescription Drug Box Program
VACo recently received several updates regarding the transition of the prescription drug box program in Virginia. On October 9, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an exemption from the enhanced drug distribution security requirements of section 582 of the FD&C Act for eligible trading partners, extending the compliance date for one year […]