Author: Gage Harter

Happy 20th Anniversary VACo Achievement Awards!

Great to see so many friends in this video. The VACo Achievement Awards truly does bring us together in pursuit of improving our communities. Thank you to everyone who has supported the VACo Achievement Awards during the past 20 years. WATCH THE VIDEO

Juvenile Detention Study Advisory Committee Meets in Roanoke County

The Commission on Youth’s advisory committee for its study of the effectiveness and efficiency of Virginia’s juvenile detention centers held its second meeting on July 26 in Roanoke County.  This study was prompted by the declining numbers of youth housed in juvenile detention centers and is exploring potential consolidation or repurposing of unused capacity in […]

Visit Brunswick County and the Brunswick County Courthouse

Location: 216 North Main Street / Hicks Street Built: 1997 – 1999 Style: Modern Architect: Browne, Eichman, Dalgliesh, Gilpin and Paxton PC ( Dalgliesh, Eichaman, Oglie & Farris ) Contractor: Knightsbridge Construction Company Description: The building faces west and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped […]

Franklin County Supervisor Leland Mitchell Passes Away

Franklin County, Virginia – Leland Mitchell, Franklin County Board of Supervisors member and Chairman of the Franklin County Broadband Authority, passed away on July 30. Mr. Mitchell was the longest-serving member of the current Board of Supervisors where this past January he began his fifth term. Mr. Mitchell was first elected to the Board of Supervisors […]

Behavioral Health Commission Discusses Implementation of STEP-VA

The Behavioral Health Commission dedicated its July 26 meeting to exploring the implementation of STEP-VA, receiving briefings from the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) as well as from two Community Services Boards (CSBs), representing urban and rural perspectives. STEP-VA is a phased initiative that requires nine services to be offered by […]

Alternative Custody Workgroup Begins to Consider Recommendations

The workgroup studying options to increase the use of alternative custody arrangements for individuals who are subject to an emergency custody order (ECO) or a temporary detention order (TDO) held its third meeting on August 9. This workgroup was established by legislation passed during the 2022 General Assembly session in response to the continuing stresses […]

VACo announces the 2022 Achievement Awards winners

Virginia Counties Recognized for Model Programs RICHMOND (August 5, 2022)—The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) is pleased to announce the 29 recipients of the 2022 Achievement Awards, which recognize excellence in local government programs. VACo received 100 submissions. Winning entries focused on addressing issues of the pandemic, connecting citizens, and other challenges that counties face […]

Visit Botetourt County and the Botetourt County Courthouse

Location: 1 West Main Street / Roanoke Street Built: 1972 – 1974 Style: Modern Colonial Architect: Hinnant, Addison and Hinnant of Lexington Contractor: Montgomery Construction Company Description: The building faces south and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Fincastle. The […]

I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan Continues Progress

Members of the I-81 Advisory Committee from across the Commonwealth gathered in Roanoke on July 7th 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, […]

Governor Youngkin Announces Significant FY 2022 General Fund Revenue Surplus

Governor Youngkin announced last week that the state ended FY 2022 with a $1.94 billion General Fund (GF) revenue surplus.  The Governor will present more detailed information to the “money committees” on August 19, but based on the preliminary figures in the Governor’s July 21 announcement, state GF revenue collections far outpaced the forecast of […]

JLARC Presents VRS Oversight Report

As part of their July 6 meeting, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) presented an oversight report of the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) as required by the Code of Virginia. The health and well-being of VRS is important to local governments as it administers retirement programs and other benefit programs for state and local […]

Alternative Custody Workgroup Discusses Challenges and Opportunities at Second Meeting

The workgroup studying options to increase the use of alternative custody arrangements for individuals who are subject to an emergency custody order (ECO) or a temporary detention order (TDO) met for the second time on July 12 and discussed in more depth several topics that were initially raised at the group’s first meeting.  This workgroup […]

Upcoming FOIA Training

Dear Interested Parties: The Virginia FOIA Advisory Council is hosting the following live webinar FOIA trainings starting this month. The webinars are free to attend and are approved for DCJS or CLE credit, as appropriate. Links to register can be found below and on our website. If you are interested in receiving DCJS or CLE credit, […]