2023 Annual Conference Breakout Sessions Presentations and Videos
10 – 11:15 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS STATE BUDGET OUTLOOK: PREPARING FOR THE NEXT BIENNIUM SESSION VIDEO MODERATOR: The Honorable Jim Icenhour, Supervisor, James City County SPEAKER: James J. Regimbal, Jr., VACo Economist, and Principal, Fiscal Analytics, Ltd. | PRESENTATION https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsCR4Bf_ipI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHOmBV4js_E BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS FOR CRISIS CARE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVERSION MODERATOR: The […]
2023 VACo Annual Conference Recap
November 13 – 15 | Richmond City
Ann H. Mallek Elected VACo President for 2023-2024
RICHMOND (November 15, 2023) — Albemarle County Supervisor Ann H. Mallek has been elected President of the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) for the 2023-2024 term. This announcement was made during VACo’s 89th Annual Conference held in Bath County with new officers beginning their terms at VACo’s Annual Business Meeting on November 14. Mallek, succeeding […]
Proposed Changes to SMART SCALE Program Unveiled
Earlier this year, The Virginia Secretary of Transportation directed the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment (OIPI) to conduct a full review of the SMART SCALE process in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). VACo was invited and has participated on the Technical Advisory Committee […]
Visit Henry County and the Henry County Historic Courthouse
Location: 1 East Main Street / Franklin StreetBuilt: 1824 – 1825Style: Classical RevivalArchitect: George TuckerContractor: Samuel Taleferro Description: The building faces south and is a two story red colored brick and wood structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds with a descending slope on the north side in the center of Martinsville. The south […]
35th Annual Water & Wastewater Rate Report Highlights Key Industry Trends for Virginia Utilities
With over 250 water and wastewater providers in Virginia dedicated to serving diverse communities, navigating the benchmarking process is critical but complex. Leveraging a deep understanding of the industry and the challenges public utilities face, TRC Companies continues to spearhead the production the Virginia Water & Wastewater Rate Report to shed light on crucial industry […]
JLARC Evaluates Self-Sufficiency Programs
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission received a briefing from its staff earlier in the month on the results of a study of the effectiveness of Virginia’s self-sufficiency programs, and the related issue of the availability and affordability of child care. JLARC staff reviewed the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and the […]
VACo Releases Its 2024 Preliminary Legislative Program
VACo has released its 2024 Preliminary Legislative Program, which was drafted through VACo’s steering committee process. The document includes a host of important and timely proposed policy statements including language pertaining to K-12 education funding, local taxing authority, stormwater regulations, land use planning, transportation, broadband, health and human resources and other local budget and legislative […]
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS HONOR PHYLLIS A. ERRICO WITH 2023 FINNEGAN WHITING AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
The Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, Inc. (LGA) awarded its highest honor, the Edward J. Finnegan Elizabeth D. Whiting Award for Distinguished Service, to Phyllis A. Errico, General Counsel, Virginia Association of Counties, at its recently concluded fall conference in Reston, Virginia. The Finnegan Whiting Award recognizes Phyllis Errico for her significant and sustained contributions […]
Visit Henrico County and the Henrico County Historic Courthouse
Location: 2125 East Main Street / 22nd StreetBuilt: 1896 – 1897Style: RomanesqueArchitect: Carl RuehrmundContractor: William Trexler and Richard E Elmore Description: The building faces east and is a three story red colored brick and stone structure. The southeast corner has a large square tower rising to a steep green colored roof with dormers. On the […]
VACo concludes Regional Meeting Season with robust legislative discussions in Chesterfield County
VACo held its last regional meetings for 2023 on September 19, at the recently opened Beulah Recreation Center in Chesterfield County. VACo staff had the honor of traveling to Chesterfield County, who graciously hosted the event, to meet with local elected officials and staff from Region 3 and Region 5. Region 3 encompasses the counties […]
State Revenues on Track as Money Committees Discuss Tax Policy, Medicaid Redetermination, Foster Care, and More
The “money committees” received positive news about state revenues this week in their first meetings in the newly-renovated General Assembly building, which opened to the public on October 11. In his briefing on state revenues, Secretary of Finance Stephen E. Cummings reported that state General Fund revenues are 6.6 percent, or approximately $412.1 million, ahead […]
JLARC Publishes Report on Enhanced Retirement Benefits for Public Safety Occupations
On October 16, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) met to present several reports, one of which was an overview of eligibility of public safety occupations for enhanced retirement benefits. The report examined the responsibilities of various public safety occupations as well as the estimated costs to state and local governments of providing […]
I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan Updates
Members of the I-81 Advisory Committee from across the Commonwealth gathered in Lexington on October 2 to discuss the status of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan. The role of the Committee is to advise or make any recommendations to the Commonwealth Transportation Board regarding the Plan. The meeting was positive in that updates to Interstate-81, and […]
Behavioral Health Commission Advances Recommendations on STEP-VA Implementation
The Behavioral Health Commission received a briefing by Commission staff at its October 17 meeting and approved a series of recommendations intended to improve oversight and enhance the implementation of STEP-VA, an initiative first enacted in 2017 to standardize an array of core services to be offered by all Community Services Boards (CSBs). The nine […]
Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Sets FY 2025-2026 Employer Contribution Rates for Teacher Plans
On October 19, the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Board of Trustees met to review actuarial results for five statewide Retirement Plans (State Employees, Teachers, JRS, SPORS, and VaLORS) and the associated other post-employment benefits (OPEBs). Most relevant for county governments, employer contribution rates for the Teacher plan are expected to be reduced during the coming […]