Behavioral Health Commission Receives Briefings on Permanent Supportive Housing, Crisis System; Local Contributions to CSBs Expected to be Area of Focus in 2025
The Behavioral Health Commission’s Executive Committee met on November 4 to plan the Commission’s work for 2025, and the full Commission met on November 12 for a series of briefings from its staff, as well as staff to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, Deputy Health and Human Resources Secretary Leah Mills, and DBHDS […]
Regions 6 & 7 Members Outline Their Legislative Priorities at Meeting
On September 23, VACo held a regional meeting for counties in VACo Regions 6 and 7. This meeting was done virtually, and it was lovely to have such a great turnout and hear the conversations among VACo staff, local leaders, members of the Virginia General Assembly and our federal partners. The meeting began with Virginia […]
Counties eligible for federal funds to implement energy efficiency programs – December 6 Deadline to Apply
The Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy) is offering subgrants to eligible local governments for the marketing, education, and outreach of energy efficiency and conservation programs for residential energy consumers and contractors. The application deadline has been extended to Friday, December 6, 2024. Through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding, Virginia Energy […]
VACo Recognizes the Class of 2024 of the Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program
RICHMOND (November 14, 2024)—The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) recognized the Class of 2024 – the second graduating class of the revamped Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program – during VACo’s 90th Annual Conference. The Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program consists of three core courses – budgeting; planning, land use, and infrastructure; and leadership. The program […]
Ruth Larson Elected VACo President for 2024-2025
RICHMOND (November 13, 2024) — James City County Supervisor Ruth Larson has been elected as President of the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) for the 2024-2025 term. This announcement was made during VACo’s 90th Annual Conference held in Bath County with new officers beginning their terms at VACo’s Annual Business Meeting on November 12. Larson, […]
2024 Annual Conference Breakout Sessions Presentations and Videos
10 – 11:15 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS STATE BUDGET OUTLOOK SESSION VIDEO MODERATOR: The Honorable Dan Storck, Supervisor, Fairfax County SPEAKER: James J. Regimbal, Jr., VACo Economist, and Principal, Fiscal Analytics, Ltd. PRESENTATION Jim Regimbal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-kGeVEDY_M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMq3snHKydE MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER WITH OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS SESSION VIDEO MODERATOR: The Honorable Pam Carter, Supervisor, […]
2024 VACo Annual Conference Recap
November 13 – 15 | Richmond City
VACo County Pulse – Energy Landscape of Virginia Series with Joe Lerch | Episode 5
Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 5 | Reclaiming the Landscape of Southwest Virginia for Energy | Part 1 Listen to the Podcast Part 1. Reclaiming the Landscape of Southwest Virginia for Energy. Listen in to Part 1 of a two-part episode recorded in Washington County, where we sit down with business partners Will Clear and […]
Latest Updates on Federal Regulatory Changes to Prescription Drug Box Program
VACo recently received several updates regarding the transition of the prescription drug box program in Virginia. On October 9, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an exemption from the enhanced drug distribution security requirements of section 582 of the FD&C Act for eligible trading partners, extending the compliance date for one year […]
Visit Pittsylvania County and the Pittsylvania County Historic Courthouse
PHOTO SOURCE: Virginia Is For Lovers Location: 1 North Main Street / Bank StreetBuilt: 1852 – 1853Style: Classical Revival and ItalianateArchitect: Lindsay Shoemaker (Shumaker) and L M ShumakerContractor: Lindsay Shoemaker (Shumaker) and L M Shumaker Description: The building faces west and is a two story red colored brick and wood structure. The building is located […]
Joint Subcommittee on Tax Preferences Takes a Deeper Look at Tobacco Products Taxation and Film Incentives
The October 30 meeting of the Joint Subcommittee on Tax Preferences featured further discussions on the two study areas assigned to the Joint Subcommittee that had been the focus of the body’s September 17 meeting: taxes on “other tobacco products” (non-cigarettes) and state incentives for motion picture production. For several years, language in the state […]
Sales Tax is Focus of October 31 Meeting of Joint Subcommittee on Tax Policy
The Joint Subcommittee on Tax Policy delved into Virginia’s sales tax structure at its second meeting of the year, receiving presentations from the Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation on the structure of Virginia’s sales tax and how Virginia’s sales tax base compares with those of neighboring states, particularly with respect to the tax […]
Joint Commission on Health Care Discusses Strategies to Extend Health Care Access to Vulnerable Populations
At its October 23 meeting, the Joint Commission on Health Care released results and recommendations from an extensive staff study on improving access to care for vulnerable populations. As defined in the study, vulnerable populations “have a high risk for health care problems, face significant hardship, or have a limited ability to understand or communicate […]
Commission on Youth Seeks Public Comments on Proposals Regarding Petitions for Relief of Custody
The Commission on Youth received a briefing from its staff at its October 22 meeting with the results of a study and several proposed recommendations regarding the increased use of petitions for temporary or permanent relief of custody to place children in foster care. Virginia Code allows parents to petition a court to be relieved […]
Workgroup on Alternatives to State Hospitalization Shares Recommendations with Joint Subcommittee on HHR Oversight
A workgroup convened to evaluate and recommend alternative options for individuals with neurocognitive disorders and neurodevelopmental disabilities who may otherwise be admitted to state psychiatric hospitals presented its draft recommendations to the Joint Subcommittee on HHR Oversight on October 31. Legislation considered by the 2024 General Assembly directed the establishment of this workgroup; these bills […]
VACo County Pulse – Energy Landscape of Virginia Series with Joe Lerch | Episode 4 | DEQ Solar Permit-By-Rule Regulations – HB 206
Season 4 | 2024 Energy Landscape of Virginia Series with Joe Lerch Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 4 | DEQ Solar Permit-By-Rule Regulations – HB 206 Listen to the Podcast Draft Revisions to DEQ Solar Permit-By-Rule (PBR) Regulations – HB 206.This episode reviews regulations that amend the requirements for utility-scale solar installations to receive state […]