General Assembly Considering Appropriations of Federal Relief Dollars
The General Assembly is considering a package of amendments to the budget that was enacted in April 2021 in order to appropriate federal relief funding that is being provided to the state through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Virginia received a significant infusion of federal resources through ARPA, and language in the April budget […]
Visit Nelson County and the Blue Ridge Tunnel
The Blue Ridge Tunnel was constructed between 1850 and 1858 beneath Rockfish Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia. CSX Transportation generously donated the tunnel to Nelson County in 2007. The tunnel is located at the convergence of the southern entrance of Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive, the northern entrance of the Blue […]
Introducing a New Associate Member – Altumint
Virginia Counties Recognized for Model Programs
RICHMOND (August 5, 2021)—The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) is pleased to announce the 30 recipients of the 2021 Achievement Awards, which recognize excellence in local government programs. VACo received 102 submissions. Winning entries focused on addressing issues of inclusion, belonging, and reconciliation that challenge counties today. Winning Achievement Award Submissions | Winning Program Descriptions “I want […]
Virginia Association of County Leadership Development: Learn from the best!
Scholarships still available for you and your team. Join the 1,700 counties and state associations already benefiting from the effectiveness of the NACo Leadership Academy, the 12-week, online leadership program led by General Colin Powell. The James City County Administrator shares his thoughts on just how impactful the NACo Leadership Academy has been on their team and […]
Larry Johnson, Georgia commissioner, takes the lead as NACo president
NACo’s new executive team, elected July 12 at the 2021 Annual Business Meeting in Prince George’s County, Md. are (l-r): Immediate Past President Gary Moore, Boone County, Ky. judge/executive; President Larry Johnson, commissioner, DeKalb County, Ga.; First Vice President Denise Winfrey, board member, Will County, Ill. and Second Vice President Mary Jo McGuire, commissioner, Ramsey […]
Governor Announces Significant State Budget Surplus for FY 2021
Governor Northam announced on July 14 that Virginia’s FY 2021 General Fund surplus is estimated at $2.6 billion, based on preliminary figures. While a complete analysis will be released on August 18, when the Governor speaks to the “money committees,” initial data released by the Administration indicates that Virginia’s core revenue sources, income tax withholding […]
Joint Subcommittee on Mental Health Transitions to New Behavioral Health Commission; Focus Remains on State Hospital Overcrowding
Discussions at the July 15 meeting of the Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century took on fresh urgency as a result of the temporary closure of five state hospitals to new admissions, which was announced by Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Commissioner Alison Land on […]
Visit Gloucester County and the new LOVE Sign
Dr. JJ Orth, Chairman of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors, shown alongside Carol Steele, Gloucester’s Acting County Administrator We were honored to be joined by some special guests during today’s LOVE Sign Ribbon Cutting, including Dr. JJ Orth, chairman of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors and Carol Steele, Gloucester’s Acting County Administrator! The […]
Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) Webinar and Grant Cycle Application Opening Soon
On July 20, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) Rail and Transit Subcommittee met and provided updates on the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP), and on the following day the full CTB approved final policy for the program. As previously reported, TRIP was created as part of the omnibus transportation bill from the 2020 session of […]
JLARC seeks information from counties on how land use ordinances may affect supply of housing – responses due August 4
In November of 2020 the Virginia Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission (JLARC) adopted a study resolution for a Review of the Commonwealth’s Housing Needs. A component of the study includes a mandate to “identify factors that limit the supply of housing, including zoning requirements.” Related to this component of the study, JLARC staff reached out to […]
Good News as 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 […]
Visit King and Queen County and the King and Queen Courthouse Tavern Museum
The Courthouse Tavern Museum presents the old Fary’s Tavern building as a turn-of-the-19th-Century Tavern, including a restored dining room, parlor and two bedrooms. It is the oldest surviving building in the Courthouse Historic District. King & Queen County purchased the Tavern in 1941 from its last owner and used the building for county offices. It […]
Marcus Alert Implementation Plan Released
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) have released the state plan for the implementation of the Marcus-David Peters Act, a requirement of legislation enacted during the fall 2020 special session and the product of five months of work by a stakeholder group, which met […]
Governor seeks to align state COVID-19 workplace regulations with CDC guidelines
Deadline of July 31 to comment on proposal In January of this year the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board adopted a permanent workplace standard for Infectious Disease Prevention: SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19 (16VAC25-220). The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) has drafted revisions to this standard which now account for the widespread […]
Counties are encouraged to participate in online solar survey
On July 13, 2021, the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at UVA and the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) will email an invitation to participate in a statewide, online solar survey to the planning director (or equivalent management role) of every county and independent city in Virginia. The purpose of the Virginia Solar Survey is to collect data and […]