Educational Programs
Chairpersons' Institute
Are you a county Board chair or vice chair?
If so, VACo’s Chairpersons’ Institute is for you. It is generally held at the Richmond Marriott in early February. The Institute offers a professional learning experience that is carefully tailored to the needs of county board chairs.
These uncertain times require county leaders who are prepared for every eventuality, and balancing a tight budget is only the beginning. To succeed, board chairs must be active leaders who know how to encourage teamwork and manage conflict. They must be confident problem solvers as well as visionary leaders.
The Chairpersons’ Institute was developed with the cooperation of an ad hoc committee of board chairs. This Institute gives chairs a chance to learn practical strategies in critical areas including the duties, powers and responsibilities of board chairs.
This program provides details on the structure and functions of county government, active leadership, communications, meeting management, decision making, working strategically to achieve important goals, building partnerships with local staff, board colleagues, the media and other governments.
County Supervisors Forum
The County Supervisors Forum helps supervisors concentrate on critical issues facing counties today: financial responsibilities, schools, economic development, transportation, environmental protection, intergovernmental relations, legal issues and more. An overview of county government and the work of county supervisors are covered.
Newly elected and incumbent supervisors, chief county administrative officers and other government managers should attend. These leaders will come away with information they need to steer their locality forward.
The conference registration fee is $295, which covers County Supervisors’ Manual, Friday dinner, Saturday lunch and Sunday lunch. Spouses and guests whom attend may register for $150, which covers those meals.
The conference takes place on even years in early January at the Richmond Marriott. VACo will release room rates and instructions on how to reserve a hotel room prior to the forum.
Click here to view the schedule of events from the 2012 forum.
Click here to review the 2012 forum.
Certified County Supervisors Program
This comprehensive program with home study and a follow-up session is open to all County Supervisors. The Virginia Certified County Supervisor Program features five core courses and is a joint effort of the Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Association of Counties.
Mike Chandler, Professor Emeritus at Virginia Tech and Extension Specialists for Community Viability with Virginia Tech, leads the course, utilizing examples and calling on practitioners from around Virginia. There is an eight-week home study segment following the initial meeting.
Virginia Rural Summit
The Virginia Center's Rural Summit is designed to bring together community and business leaders, professional developers and elected officials to share experiences and to learn new ideas for community and rural economic development.
The Summit is held in September and is a partnership between the Virginia Rural Center and the Virginia Association of Counties.
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Educational Publications
Tax Rates 2010
The 29th annual edition of this important reference book contains detailed information on tax rates and fees in all of Virginia’s 95 counties and 39 cities.
Also, there is information for all of the state's 36 large towns and for 113 of the remaining 154 smaller towns. The study is based on a comprehensive survey conducted by the Center for Economic and Policy Studies at UVA's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service.
As local governments struggle with the fiscal aftermath of the Great Recession, now is the time to to review state statutory restrictions and to examine local sources of revenue in comparison to what other localities are doing.
Such analysis is made easy by this 396-page publication that contains explanatory text for each source, 38 text tables, 67 detailed tables, and 5 charts. Also included is an overview of local government taxation including text and graphics.
To order Virginia Local Tax Rates, 2010, open this link.
VACo/VML Directory of Counties, Cities and Towns
The 2009-10 edition of the directory is now available. Send $35 to VACo Services Inc., 1207 E. Main St., Suite 300, Richmond, Va. 23219-3627, along with your name and mailing address to receive your copy of the directory. Here's a convenient form you may print to order your directory. Click here to order online.
Virginia County Supervisors' Manual
This handbook contains valuable information for county supervisors and other interested parties. The Seventh Edition is now available. To order your copy, complete the order form and mail it with a check for $35 made payable to VACo Services, Inc., 1207 East Main Street, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23219-3627; or fax with credit card information to 804-788-0083. For further information, please call Amy Vealey 804-788-6652. Click here to download the order form.
Click here to order online.
Board Meeting Procedure in Virginia
Order the Board Meeting Procedure in Virginia booklet revised to meet the the most recent Virginia Statutes. Authored by registered parliamentarian and New Kent County Supervisor Stran L. Trout, this handy guide has all the requirements you need to know to have an efficient and formal board meeting. This is a must have for all county officials! The booklet costs $5 per copy. Click here to download an order form. Click here to order online.
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