EPA proposes new standards to remove “forever” chemicals from drinking water
April 28 deadline to register for May 4 public hearingMarch 29 webinar to provide technical overview of the proposed rule On March 14, the EPA announced a proposed regulation to monitor and remove PFAS from drinking water. PFAS is an acronym that represents a class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “forever” chemicals […]
Federal Transportation and Infrastructure Security Grants Available
The U.S. Department of Homeland has made available multiple new grants focused on improving preparedness and strengthening resilience against a range of potentially catastrophic events. These grants are focused on various transportation and infrastructure security projects. Transit Security Grant Program: $93 million available to public transit systems to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure. More information is available here. […]
Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program Available Now
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s new Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will provide $2.5 billion over five years to a wide range of applicants, including cities, counties, local governments, and Tribes. The first round of funding makes up to $700 million from fiscal years 2022 and […]
Transportation Alternatives Program Funding for Counties Available Soon; Sign up for Informational Pre-Application Webinar
The Transportation Alternatives Program is a federal reimbursement program intended to help local sponsors fund community-based projects that expand non-motorized travel choices and enhance the transportation experience by improving the cultural, historical, and environmental aspects of the transportation infrastructure. The program does not fund traditional roadway projects or maintenance. The program focuses on providing pedestrian […]
Visit Dinwiddie County and the Dinwiddie County Historic Courthouse
Location: 14101 Boydton Plank Road / Route 619Built: 1851– 1852Style: Greek RevivalArchitect: Captain JonesContractor: Captain Jones Description: The building faces west and is a two story yellow colored brick structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on spacious landscaped grounds in the center of Dinwiddie to the south of the courthouse. The west front has […]
Marcus Alert Overview 2023
Alexandria Robinson-Jones, Marcus Alert Program Coordinator with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and Dallas Leamon, Marcus Alert Coordinator for the Department of Criminal Justice Services, provided an update on implementation of the Marcus Alert initiative. Alexandria Robinson-Jones Presentation | WATCH THE VIDEO
General Assembly Adopts “Skinny Budget,” Adjourns Sine Die
The 2023 session adjourned sine die on Saturday, February 25, as scheduled, but without resolving differences between the House and Senate on revisions to the biennium budget. Instead, budget conferees proposed, and both chambers adopted, a “skinny budget” that addresses four priority items: Includes $115.9 million GF in FY 2023 and $125.8 million GF in […]
VACo Opposes Towing Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk
SB 979 (Marsden) and HB 1649 (Wyatt), as introduced, would prohibit localities from setting limits on towing fees and other associated fees for trespassing passenger vehicles that are in localities without a local ordinance setting these fees. VACo opposed the initial legislation as we believe this pre-empts local authority and restricts the ability of local […]
Jury Duty Compensation Increase Passes with More Incremental Approach
Legislation to increase compensation for jurors emerged from a conference committee in the final days of the session with an increase from $30 to $50 per day, rather than from $30 to $100, as originally proposed. HB 2317 (Williams Graves) and SB 789 (Spruill), as introduced, would have increased the compensation to $100 per day; […]
Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund Bills Amended to Address VACo’s Concerns Report out of Conference Favorably
SB 1106 (Newman) and HB 2302 (Adams, L), as introduced, were similar to budget language in the Governor’s introduced budget regarding the Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund (TPOF). The introduced bills required the Governor to include in the Budget Bill an appropriation of up to $200 million, limited to $100 million each year, from the Commonwealth […]
Enter the VACo 2023 Achievement Awards
Dear VACo Members – It’s time for the 2023 Achievement Awards Program. Any county department is eligible to compete so ENTER NOW! Achievement Awards Submission Form All entries are required to be submitted in electronic form. No paper copy submissions are necessary. The electronic copy should be a PDF or WORD file. Email entries to Gage […]
Visit Dickenson County and the Dickenson County Historic Courthouse
Location: 293 Main Street / McClure StreetBuilt: 1915 – 1917Style: Colonial RevivalArchitect: H M MillerContractor: D G Kelley Description: The building faces southeast and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building backs onto a hill and is located in the center of Clintwood. The building is “T” shaped and is […]
Bill Creating New Stormwater Exemption for Tree Clearing Dies in Senate
HB 2282 (Edmunds), as amended, would have allowed for forest harvesting activities to be exempt from the Virginia Stormwater Management Program even if the land does not intend to be reforested or turned into agricultural use. In effect, these changes in the law could allow for land disturbance activities, not associated with future forestry and […]
Update on Behavioral Health Legislation
As reported earlier in the session, several bills are under consideration to address aspects of the temporary detention process in an effort to relieve pressure on the state hospital system, as well as on law enforcement agencies. In addition, both the House and Senate budget proposals recommend additional investments in crisis services over and above […]
Plug Pulled on the Rural Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund
VACo spoke in support of SB 1466 (Marsden) and HB 1588 (Sullivan), which would create the Electric Vehicle Rural Infrastructure Program and Fund. This Fund would make available up to $25 million each fiscal year and assist developers by offsetting up to 70 percent of the cost of electric vehicle charging stations. According to the […]
Retired Constitutional Officer Health Insurance Credit Bill Clears Assembly
HB 1789 (Filler-Corn), beginning July 1, 2024, would raise the amount of monthly health insurance credits (HIC) received by retired constitutional officers and their employees with a minimum of 15 years of creditable service from $1.50 to $1.75 per month per year of creditable service not to exceed $52.50 per month. In the case of […]