Time Capsule Replacement Project
Governor Ralph Northam has launched a project to create a new time capsule representing the Commonwealth, and is inviting Virginians to submit artifacts to be considered for inclusion in the capsule. The time capsule will be replacing an old capsule that was embedded in the pedestal of the Robert E. Lee statue in 1887. This is a great […]
Governor Northam Announces General Assembly to Convene August 2 for a Special Session Addressing the State Budget and Allocation of Federal Funding
On June 23, Governor Ralph Northam issued a proclamation summoning the members of the General Assembly to convene for a Special Session beginning on August 2nd. The purpose of this special session will be to appoint judges and address budgetary matters, including the appropriation of federal relief funds. This will be the third Special Session […]
Capitol Contact ALERT – Confusion Over the Ability of Public Employers to Offer Comp Time to Employees
ACTION: Contact House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Members to Support Clarifying Budget Language in the Special Session HB 2063 (Mullin) as enacted during the 2021 Special Session I by the General Assembly requires an employer to compensate certain employees at a rate not less than one and one-half times the employee’s regular rate […]
State General Fund Revenues Continue Strength in May; State Budget on Track for Surplus
Secretary of Finance Aubrey L. Layne, Jr. brought positive news to the Senate Finance and Appropriations and House Appropriations Committees in his last briefing to the “money committees” in his current role, as state General Fund revenues (GF) are on track to generate a significant surplus for FY 2021, bolstered by growing strength in the […]
Department of Taxation Releases Draft Guidelines for Local Plastic Bag Tax
On June 25, the Department of Taxation released draft guidelines for administration of the plastic bag tax, which was authorized in legislation that passed in 2020 (localities are authorized to impose the tax by ordinance, beginning January 1, 2021). The legislation provides that the tax will be administered by the Tax Commissioner in the same […]
Visit Tazewell, Russell, Wise, and Scott Counties and Clinch River State Park
SAINT PAUL—Governor Ralph Northam recently celebrated the official opening of Clinch River State Park, Virginia’s 41st state park and first blueway state park. Consisting of 696 acres, the park is situated across several small anchor properties and connected by multiple canoe-kayak access points along a 100-mile scenic stretch of the Clinch River. “With the dedication […]
Mandatory Property Tax Exemptions Survey Underway; Responses Due July 21
Language was included in the 2021 Appropriations Act at the request of VACo and VML to direct the Commission on Local Government to undertake a review of the effects of mandatory property tax exemptions on local government finances, to include potential recommendations to mitigate the effects of these exemptions on localities. As part of the […]
Commission on School Construction and Modernization Holds Second Meeting and School Infrastructure Tour Kicks Off
Photo courtesy of King and Queen County Public Schools – (left to right) Justin Ballard, S.B. Ballard Construction; J.T. Kessler, Virginia School Boards Association; and Jeremy R. Bennett, VACo. On June 3, the Commission on School Construction and Modernization met and reviewed data presented by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) on the state of […]
Joint Subcommittee on Mental Health Holds Workgroup Meetings; State Hospital Overcrowding Remains Major Focus
Work groups of the Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century have met throughout the month, reviewing legislation referred to the Joint Subcommittee and wrestling with the pressing issue of overcrowding in the state hospital system and its spillover effects on law enforcement. It is anticipated that proposals […]
Updates on the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and Potential Impact to County Governments
Due to unprecedented strains placed upon the unemployment system by the economic impacts of the COVID-19, Virginia’s Unemployment Trust Fund ended the first quarter of 2021 with a negative balance of $400,000. This figure represents a glaring contrast with the $1.4 billion balance of the Trust Fund that existed a year ago, prior to the […]
State Executive Council Issues Notices of Intent to Develop Two CSA Policies
On June 10, the State Executive Council for Children’s Services (SEC) approved Notices of Intent to Develop Policy for two proposed revisions to SEC policies. These policies, dealing with family engagement and the multidisciplinary teams that may be convened by local CSA programs in lieu of the Family Assessment and Planning Team, respectively, reflect revisions […]
County Leadership Development: Bolster your Succession Plan
As a county leader, you manage several priority-1 decisions, activities, and initiatives every day. Perhaps the most important is personnel development – working hard to make other existing leaders better and emerging leaders ready. As you conduct this work with existing and emerging leaders to make your county stronger, you deserve to have a program […]
Pathway to Recovery® Series – The Power Of Liquidity Data
Join Garrett Macdonald, Beau Blevins, and special guest, Dean Lynch, as they discuss the “Pathway to Recovery®” and how liquidity management can position your entity for success managing ARPA Funds in 2021 and beyond. This webinar will demonstrate how your entity can leverage data and technology to formulate a strategy that increases the value of public […]
Let’s meet in person at the VACo County Officials’ Summit
Thursday, August 19, 2021 | Draft Agenda It’s been a long time since we were all together. But that will change at the VACo County Officials’ Summit on August 19 when VACo members will meet in person for the first time in 18 months. Don’t miss this opportunity to see old friends, network with new […]
VACo releases 2021 Legislative Summary
The Legislative Summary details the actions of the 2021 General Assembly as well as other special sessions. It also includes information on legislation of interest to counties. This edition contains links to bills through the General Assembly’s Legislative Information System and includes studies and statistics of importance to counties. Read VACo’s 2021 Legislative Summary VACo […]
Body-Worn Camera Workgroup Receives Updates on Grant Awards, Planned Staffing Study
On June 2, the workgroup examining the effect of body-worn cameras on the state’s public safety and judicial systems held its first meeting of 2021. This workgroup is an extension of an initial effort conducted by the Compensation Board in 2018, as directed by budget language, to review the effects of the use of the […]