VACo held its sixth of eight regional meetings for 2024 virtually on August 19th. Counties from VACo Regions 5, 9 and 11 attended the meeting.
The meeting began with a welcome from VACo President and Albemarle County Supervisor, Ann Mallek. VACo was pleased to have Chandler Vaughan and Caroline Luxhoj from the Department of Housing and Community Development come and speak to those in attendance on broadband deployment and funding updates/information that is of interest to county members and leaders.
Next, legislators and staff that represent counties in VACo Regions 5, 9 and 11 outlined their priorities for the 2025 Session as well as other things they’re interested in or working on. Delegate Tony Wilt would begin by discussing that energy is one of his top priorities. Delegate Wilt would explain that energy proliferation and security for his constituents is one of his top priorities for the upcoming Session. Elaina Corfield from Delegate Sam Rasoul’s office discussed that the Delegate is focused on education policy and specifically mentioned the Delegate’s support for the often mentioned 1% optional sales tax for localities that would go toward school capital. VACo was also pleased to have representation from Virgnia’s federal delegation at the meeting. Elda Stanco and Laura Blevins from Senator Tim Kaine’s office outlined many pieces of legislation the Senator is working on. Staff from Senator Kaine’s office further mentioned the Senate Appropriations Committee has marked up FY25 spending bills and it looks like there will be federal funding that will benefit localities with a number of projects including affordable housing, water and wastewater infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, health care services, workforce development and emergency services. Natalie Stewart from Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger’s office touched on multiple items, from combating fentanyl and other harmful drugs through legislation supported by the Congresswoman and pushing the Social Security Fairness Act, to monitoring and getting answers from the United States Postal Service regarding Virginia’s recent post office issues. Cody Mumpower from Congressman Morgan Griffith’s office emphasized the need for broadband in his district, especially around the coalfields area as reliable high-speed internet is a must in today’s world. Terrance Durkin from Delegate Jason Ballard’s office and Michael Zessin from Senator David Suetterlein’s office said they appreciate the forum that these regional meetings provide and that they will take this information under consideration as the Delegate and Senator develop their legislative agendas. We would like to thank Jonathan Hartsock from Congressman Ben Cline’s office for attending the meeting as well.
County Talk, the part of the regional meeting where counties outline their top legislative priorities for the 2025 Session, featured a robust discussion among attendees. Several issues emerged as common areas of concern, such as local land use authority, transportation improvements, education funding and emergency services support. Counties in Region 5, 9 and 11 stressed that local land use authority should be retained at the local level as development pressures are focused on this area of the Commonwealth. VACo is steadfast in its support for localities to retain this authority and opposes legislation that tries to curtail the ability of a local government to determine how county land should be used. Transportation was often discussed, specifically improvements being made to I-81. I-81 is an important economic engine in this part of the Commonwealth and counties support more available funding that can be made toward accelerating or improving the planned I-81 Corridor Improvement Program. Counties highlighted their continued support for additional education funding and the 1% local option sales tax for school capital bill that VACo supported during the 2024 Session. Emergency services support was a common area of concern as well. Counties mentioned support for the removal of barriers to volunteerism and state support as ways to increase staffing for volunteer fire and EMS services. Temporary Detention Order support was mentioned often as well.
VACo would like to thank all of those who took the time out of their day to attend the regional meeting. VACo would like to give a special thanks to Delegate Wilt, and legislative staff for attending the meeting, as well as VACo’s partners for their support.
VACo Contact: James Hutzler