Beau Blevins joins VACo Premier Partner three+one®
Beau Blevins has joined three+one® as a Director of Business Development. Beau will be working closely with VACo, as a Premier Partner, in bringing three+one’s innovative finTech solutions to public entities and higher education institutions across Virginia. Beau, a former VACo team member, is one of the most well-regarded public-sector advisors in the Southeast, having […]
6th Step on the Pathway to Recovery®
In a new series of video blogs, our partners at three+one® present their proven methods for turning the tide of economic waves in a changed marketplace since COVID. cashvest® by three+one® offers a comprehensive 6-step plan to navigate these new marketplace realities to provide your county with certainty during uncertain times. cashvest® by three+one® has […]
Get the latest on federal and state actions to increase access to broadband
Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Webinar – Through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Virginia localities will be receiving an estimated $1.6 billion in federal funding. Uses for this flexible funding include investments in broadband infrastructure. VACo has heard from many counties who are interested in using these funds to expedite universal broadband coverage in unserved […]
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transit Announces Transit Ridership Incentive Program Materials Open for Public Comment
On May 18, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transit (DRPT) announced that materials for the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) are now open for public comment. TRIP was created as part of the omnibus transportation bill from the 2020 session of the General Assembly, and is designed to improve regional transit service in […]
Virginia local leaders learn together at the VACo Supervisors’ Forum
Loudoun County Chair Phyllis Randall set the stage for 1.5 days of education at the Supervisors’ Forum last week when she kicked off the meeting with some inspiring words. Chair Randall encouraged fellow elected leaders to read the VACo Supervisors’ Manual to understand the technical role and fundamentals of being a county supervisor. But then […]
VACo webinar on county compliance with new housing discrimination law now available
Effective July 1, 2021 a new standard for local governments to comply in avoiding housing discrimination takes effect. Specifically, when implementing local land use and zoning ordinances, HB 2046 makes it unlawful for localities to discriminate on “the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, source of funds, sexual orientation, gender […]
Visit Wise County and the High Knob Tower
A brand new observation tower with a long history opened in 2014 atop High Knob Recreation Area. At an elevation of 4,223 feet, the original tower built in the 30s burned down 40 years later. In 1978, Flatwoods Job Corp. built a new three story tower that met its demise by arson in 2007. Thanks […]
Commission on Local Government Undertakes Study of Mandatory Local Property Tax Exemptions; Public Comment Sought
Budget language introduced at the request of VACo and VML directs the Commission on Local Government to undertake a review of the effects of mandatory property tax exemptions on local finances, to include potential ways to mitigate these impacts on localities. VACo and VML, working with member localities, encouraged the adoption of this budget language […]
Mental Health Commission Begins 2021 Work with Focus on Law Enforcement Mental Health Transports
The Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the 21st Century met on April 20 to map out its planned work for 2021. Joint Subcommittee members first paused to take stock of how their proposals fared in the recently-concluded legislative session; recommendations to reform the use of mandatory outpatient treatment, study the compilation of […]
Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission Approves Studies for 2021
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) met on May 3 to approve its plan of work for the remainder of the calendar year. In addition to its ongoing oversight responsibilities, JLARC staff will undertake several study projects that were directed by JLARC members last fall, as well as one additional study that was […]
Commission on Youth Plots Course for 2021, Discusses Impact of Pandemic on K-12
The Virginia Commission on Youth held its first meeting of 2021 on May 3 to review and approve its work plan for 2021 and to receive a briefing from Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. James Lane on the effect of the pandemic on PreK-12 education in the Commonwealth. The Commission will be undertaking three major […]
VACo’s Chris McDonald Gives Guest Lecture to Virginia Tech Policy Implementation Class
VACo Director of Government Relations, Chris McDonald, was recently invited to deliver a guest lecture to a Virginia Tech Policy Implementation class. The class is a part of the Environmental Policy and Planning major at Virginia Tech and features approximately 20 students who plan to embark on careers in public policy and government. Chris spent […]
Virginia Retirement System Board Adopts Updated Liability Assumptions and Provides Employer Updates in May Employer News Bulletin
On April 20, the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Board of Directors met and reviewed economic and demographic assumptions, actuarial methods, and funding policies providing gain/loss analysis over the prior four years as well as cost impact analysis of any proposed changes. The VRS plan actuary, Cavanaugh Macdonald Consulting, LLC, presented the provided recommendations and cost […]
Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) Releases Draft FY 2022 Guidelines – Comments Due May 17, 2021
On April 27, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) held a stakeholder meeting to discuss the draft guidelines proposed for the FY2022 round of VATI funding. VATI is a state managed program that provides financial assistance to local governments to partner with and supplement construction costs by internet service providers to extend […]
Virginia Employment Commission Unemployment Insurance Fraud Info
The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) is providing the following information regarding unemployment insurance fraud that may be of interest to county governments and their employees. While the VEC is committed to ensuring unemployment benefits go to individuals who are eligible to receive them, unfortunately fraud does occur. The current worldwide pandemic has resulted in an […]
VACo County Pulse Legislative Series | Episode 3
Welcome to the VACo County Pulse Legislative Series Episode 3 – School construction and modernization In this third episode – VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch talks with VACo Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Jeremy Bennett about school construction and modernization, dedicated local revenue raising authority, and the impact on Virginia’s counties. Click here to watch Episode […]