Workgroup on Special Education and the Children’s Services Act Underway
A stakeholder workgroup charged with making recommendations regarding the use of Children’s Services Act funding to support special education needs has held its first two meetings. The workgroup was created by 2021 legislation that was introduced in response to a study of the Children’s Services Act by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission that […]
Visit Bedford County and Abbott Lake
Abbott Lake is a 24-acre impoundment located along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway in Bedford County and is one of the attractions to the Peaks of Otter Park. Fishing is just one of the many recreational opportunities available in the Park. Numerous hiking opportunities range from very demanding hikes up high mountain peaks to the […]
Introducing a New Associate Member – Sun Tribe
Virginia Department of Transportation Provides Clarity Regarding Ability of Certain Localities to Reduce Speed Limits Below 25mph
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has determined that HB1903 (Carr), which allows a locality to reduce speed limits in a residence or business district on streets within their boundaries to less than 25 mph (but not less than 15 MPH), does not apply to streets that are in the state highway system. Thus, it […]
State Executive Council Soliciting Public Comment on Two Children’s Services Act Policies Until November 12
On September 9, the State Executive Council for Children’s Services (SEC) approved the release of two proposed policies for public comment. The public comment period began Monday, September 13, and closes Friday, November 12 at 5pm. The proposed policy revisions result from a goal adopted in the SEC’s 2019 strategic plan of reviewing CSA policies […]
VRS Provides Updates Concerning Investment Returns, Plan Handbooks, Health Insurance Credit Benefits, and More!
As part of their Quarterly Newsletter, the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) confirmed achieving a 27.5% return, net of fees, on its investment portfolio for fiscal year 2021. The trust fund thus ended the year with approximately $101.8 billion, exceeding the $100 billion mark for the first time in its history. As previously reported, this is […]
Workgroup on Services for Individuals Living with Dementia Preparing Recommendations
A workgroup created by language in the 2021 Appropriation Act and directed to review existing services for individuals living with dementia and to recommend ways to improve access to evidence-based and evidence-informed services for this population has held four meetings and is preparing recommendations in advance of its November 1, 2021, report deadline. The workgroup […]
State General Fund Revenues Continue Growth in August
State General Fund revenues continued to perform well in August, growing by 18.9 percent. Although this figure is partially attributable to an extra deposit day and August is not typically considered a significant month for revenue collections, the continued trend of growth is encouraging as the state approaches the start of the fall forecasting process. […]
Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) Updates
On September 16, the Commonwealth Connect Coalition met to discuss historic news concerning the VATI program. The FY22 grant round closed on September 14. In total, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) received: 57 applications representing 84 localities $943,300,424 in requested funding $1,159,125,288 in matching funds Approximately 300,000 proposed locations served The approval […]
Transportation Revenues Rebound after Historic Decreases
During the Monday, September 20 meeting of the House Appropriations Committee, Deputy Secretaries of Transportation Nick Donohue and John Lawson provided updates on the state of transportation revenues used to finance infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth. Thankfully, after facing historic lows caused by decreases in fuel consumption, transit ridership, and other economic factors related to […]
ADVANCING LEADERSHIP FOR NEWLY ELECTED COUNTY OFFICIALS
Can you imagine what would happen if General Colin Powell, Fortune 1000 CEOs and other executives came together with career coaches and professors from the most prestigious universities to mentor your frontline leaders? What if we could leverage such talent and expertise to advance excellence in county government? Thanks to the NACo High Performance Leadership […]
VACo 2021 Annual Conference
Visit Washington County and Backbone Rock
Backbone Rock Campground is a small campground situated along the beautiful Beaverdam Creek at an elevation of 2,100 feet in northern Johnson County. This developed campground is popular with those visiting the nearby Backbone Rock, a tunnel originally blasted through the rock ridge for the railway. The creek side location with popular swim area and […]
Department of Taxation Releases Final Guidelines for Disposable Plastic Bag Tax
The Department of Taxation has released final guidelines for the administration of the disposable plastic bag tax. Legislation enacted in the 2020 General Assembly session authorized localities to adopt this tax by ordinance, beginning January 1, 2021. Pursuant to the 2020 legislation, the tax is to be administered by the Tax Commissioner, who was required […]
INTRODUCING A NEW PREMIER PARTNER – Qualtrics
VACo’s Newest Premier Partner QUALTRICS EMPOWER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Every day you ask something of citizens, whether it’s complying with policies, enrolling in programs or purchasing services. We’ll help you understand what citizens feel, think and do every time they interact with your agency (through direct contact or indirectly through policies) so you can optimize the […]
Workgroup Considering Improvements to Involuntary Commitment Process
A workgroup convened by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to consider potential expansion of the categories of professionals who may conduct evaluations of individuals for Temporary Detention Orders (TDOs) has concluded its meetings for the year and released a draft report. Currently, these evaluations, which occur when an individual is subject to […]