Visit Smyth County and the Smyth County Historic Courthouse
Location: 109 West Main Street / North Church StreetBuilt: 1904 – 1905Style: Neo-ClassicalArchitect: Frank Pierce Milburn of Washington, DCContractor: Stephenson & Getaz of Knoxville, Tennessee Description: The building faces southeast and is a two story gray colored brick, stone and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Marion. The […]
IN MEMORIAM – Remembering Former Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins
Catherine M. “Cathy” Hudgins passed away on May 24. Cathy served as VACo President in 2012. She served as the Hunter Mill District supervisor from 2000-2019. The Southgate Community Center is named in her honor, and she will be remembered for her contributions to equity, inclusion and public service. Fairfax County is deeply saddened to […]
Workgroup on Regulation of Recovery Residences Holds First Meeting
A workgroup tasked with making recommendations to enhance oversight of recovery residences held its first meeting on May 29; several local government representatives are participating on behalf of VACo and the Virginia Municipal League. Legislation that passed in the 2025 session required the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene the workgroup as the […]
Changes to the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) for FY 2026
Which New Laws Affect VRS? See the 2025 Legislative Summary to view new laws that affect VRS-administered benefits, plans and programs, including: Disability benefits for emergency dispatchers. Virginia Law Officers’ Retirement System membership for conservation officers. Retirement allowance changes for judges effective in 2026. Cost-of-Living Adjustments Take Effect July 1 The following cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) take […]
JLARC Discusses Juvenile Justice Realignment, Local Audits, Workforce Incentives
At the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission’s June 4 meeting, members received presentations from Commission staff on the merits and drawbacks of moving the Department of Juvenile Justice to the Health and Human Resources Secretariat and the economic benefits of certain workforce and industry incentives. Staci A. Henshaw, the Auditor of Public Accounts, reported […]
EPA Announces Intended Changes to PFAS Drinking Water Rule
On May 14, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the agency will keep the current National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) for PFOA and PFOS. As part of this action, EPA also announced its intent to extend the PFOA and PFOS Maximum Contaminant Level compliance deadline and establish a federal exemption framework. Additionally, […]
VACo County Pulse Podcast – Energy Landscape of Virginia with Joe Lerch | Episode 17
State Energy Policy – Comparison of Maryland and Virginia with MACo Conduit Street Podcast Listen to the Podcast Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 17 | State Energy Policy – Comparison of Maryland and Virginia with MACo Conduit Street Podcast Joe Lerch talks with Dominic Butchko, Director of Intergovernmental Relations with the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), to compare […]
Thank You Henrico County for Hosting the Regions 3 & 5 Meeting
VACo held its third Regional Meeting of the year on May 12 in Henrico County. Counties across VACo regions 3 and 5, as well as elected state and federal officials from around the regions, were invited to participate in the discussion. VACo was pleased to be joined by Delegate David Owen, Delegate Mark Earley and […]
Virginia American Water
J.R. Fidler Principal, Business Development 804-238-2641 | john.fidler@amwater.com Learn more at www.amwater.com
Chase Dominion Advisors
Trey Jamison, CPFA, AIF® Managing PartnerRetirement Plan Consultant tjamison@chasedominion.com Office: 804.325.1502Mobile: 804.980.6750 — Todd Wright, CPFA Business Development and Retirement Plan Consultant twright@chasedominion.com Office: 804.325.1505Mobile: 804.241.7073 Learn more at www.chasedominion.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLU6XZYzRFM
VACo and Virginia Energy workshop on energy programs that counties can implement to reduce electricity costs now available online
On May 20 VACo and Virginia Energy (Viriginia Department of Energy) hosted “Unlocking Energy Savings and Demand Response Opportunities for Local Governments”. A recording of this hybrid online, and in person event, is now available on YouTube. The workshop included an introduction and local government case studies on state-run Energy Savings Performance Contracting and Demand […]
VACo County Pulse Podcast – Uplifting Our Children Through Education Series with Jeremy R. Bennett Episode 1
Episode 1 | A Conversation with Dean Lynch Listen to the Podcast Uplifting Our Children Through Education Episode 1 | A Conversation with Dean Lynch. In this inaugural episode of the VACo County Pulse Podcast, Uplifting Our Children Through Education, host Jeremy Bennett sits down with VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch to discuss actions taken […]
IN MEMORIAM: U.S. Representative Gerald E. Connolly
It is with deep sadness that I share the news of the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly, who died this morning following a brief illness. Gerry was a dedicated public servant and a valued member of the VACo family. He served as President of the Virginia Association of Counties during the 2004–2005 term and was […]
Visit Shenandoah County and the Shenandoah County Historic Courthouse
Constructed in 1795 of native limestone, the Shenandoah County Historic Courthouse is the oldest courthouse west of the Blue Ridge Mountains in continuous use. It saw much activity during the Civil War, with troops from both sides in and around the building and leaving their mark with graffiti on the interior walls. A Greek Revival […]
Chesterfield Renames Beulah Recreation Center in Honor of Longtime Supervisor Jim Holland
During a ceremony Wednesday, May 7, just shy of the two-year anniversary of the Beulah Recreation Center’s opening, Chesterfield recognized Dale District Supervisor Jim Holland’s nearly two decades of service by dedicating the site – which includes both the center and adjacent neighborhood park currently under construction — in his name. With the unsuspecting guest […]
Special General Assembly Committees Monitoring Federal Actions Hit the Road in May
The General Assembly’s special committees that are working to understand and address potential impacts of federal funding reductions on the state budget continued their work this month, with the House Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions meeting on May 12 in Wytheville and the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee’s Special […]