VACo and Virginia Energy workshop on energy programs that counties can implement to reduce electricity costs now available online
On May 20 VACo and Virginia Energy (Viriginia Department of Energy) hosted “Unlocking Energy Savings and Demand Response Opportunities for Local Governments”. A recording of this hybrid online, and in person event, is now available on YouTube. The workshop included an introduction and local government case studies on state-run Energy Savings Performance Contracting and Demand […]
VACo County Pulse Podcast – Uplifting Our Children Through Education Series with Jeremy R. Bennett Episode 1
Episode 1 | A Conversation with Dean Lynch Listen to the Podcast Uplifting Our Children Through Education Episode 1 | A Conversation with Dean Lynch. In this inaugural episode of the VACo County Pulse Podcast, Uplifting Our Children Through Education, host Jeremy Bennett sits down with VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch to discuss actions taken […]
IN MEMORIAM: U.S. Representative Gerald E. Connolly
It is with deep sadness that I share the news of the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly, who died this morning following a brief illness. Gerry was a dedicated public servant and a valued member of the VACo family. He served as President of the Virginia Association of Counties during the 2004–2005 term and was […]
Visit Shenandoah County and the Shenandoah County Historic Courthouse
Constructed in 1795 of native limestone, the Shenandoah County Historic Courthouse is the oldest courthouse west of the Blue Ridge Mountains in continuous use. It saw much activity during the Civil War, with troops from both sides in and around the building and leaving their mark with graffiti on the interior walls. A Greek Revival […]
Chesterfield Renames Beulah Recreation Center in Honor of Longtime Supervisor Jim Holland
During a ceremony Wednesday, May 7, just shy of the two-year anniversary of the Beulah Recreation Center’s opening, Chesterfield recognized Dale District Supervisor Jim Holland’s nearly two decades of service by dedicating the site – which includes both the center and adjacent neighborhood park currently under construction — in his name. With the unsuspecting guest […]
Special General Assembly Committees Monitoring Federal Actions Hit the Road in May
The General Assembly’s special committees that are working to understand and address potential impacts of federal funding reductions on the state budget continued their work this month, with the House Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions meeting on May 12 in Wytheville and the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee’s Special […]
SMART SCALE Projects Approved
At the May meeting of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), the CTB agreed to a resolution approving the 6th round of SMART SCALE projects. The Consensus Scenario is an update to the Staff Recommended Scenario, which was presented to the CTB at the January meeting, based upon feedback from the CTB members and input from the […]
Joint Commission on Health Care Adopts Workplan, Receives Updates on Fentanyl Study, Hiram Davis Medical Center Closure
The Joint Commission on Health Care held its first meeting of 2025 on Wednesday, May 21, adopting a revised work plan for the remainder of the year and receiving an update from its staff on a previously-directed study of the fentanyl crisis in Virginia, as well as an update from Department of Behavioral Health and […]
State Revenue Collections, Outlook for Future Under Discussion at Money Committee Meetings
The House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees met on May 19 and May 20, respectively, with each Committee receiving a briefing on state revenues from Secretary of Finance Stephen E. Cummings, who reiterated the Administration’s confidence in FY 2025 revenues meeting the forecast in the Appropriation Act, but acknowledged that the outlook for […]
Public Comment Requested for Implementation of the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) Fire Reporting Notice
Legislation passed during the 2025 General Assembly session tasks the Virginia Fire Services Board to develop a policy to require emergency incident reporting to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS). Aid to Localities funding will be contingent on this reporting requirement. The Virginia Fire Services Board, and staff from the Virginia Department of Fire […]
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) “Drone” Replacement Program Funded
Governor Youngkin signed HB1600 (“the budget bill”) on May 2, 2025. The bill includes budget item 394 #2c, which establishes a $1M grant program to assist law enforcement and other first responders to transition from drones made in countries identified as foreign adversaries. Virginia is the second state to create such a grant fund, with […]
Governor Takes Final Action on Legislation, Budget
On Friday, May 2, Governor Youngkin announced his final actions on legislation that was returned to him from the April 2 reconvened session. At the reconvened session, the General Assembly had rejected the Governor’s amendments, in whole or part, to 91 bills, and rejected 172 of the 205 budget amendments proposed by the Governor, returning […]
VACo 2025 Top Funding Priority Achieved!
As part of the General Assembly’s Conference report budget and Governor Youngkin’s May 2 final actions for the 2025 General Assembly Session, VACo’s top funding priority was achieved by the functional elimination of the cap on recognition of K-12 support positions. This action provides $222.9 million in FY 2026 in funding to local governments to […]
Visit Scott County and the Scott County Historic Courthouse
Location: 202 West Jackson Street / Manville RoadBuilt: 1828 – 1829Style: Colonial RevivalArchitect: James ToncrayContractor: James Toncray Description: The building faces southeast and is a two story red colored brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Gate City. The southeast front has a large portico with four white colored […]
VACo Seeks Input Regarding Proposed Biosolids Regulation
VACo seeks feedback on a draft proposal to allow for “alternative storage” sites for biosolids during prolonged wet weather events. During 2018-2019, a record-year for precipitation in some parts of the Commonwealth, many biosolids storage facilities reached or exceeded their capacity. “Biosolids” means a sewage sludge that has received an established treatment for required pathogen […]
VACo Kicks Off 2025 Regional Meetings in Brunswick County
Brunswick County hosted counties in VACo’s Region 4 on April 28 for the first regional meeting of 2025, which featured a lively discussion of shared challenges and legislative priorities. VACo was pleased to be joined at the event by Delegate Otto Wachsmann and representatives from the offices of Senator Luther Cifers and Congressman John McGuire. […]