Visit Accomack County and Tangier Island
Tangier, dubbed the “soft crab capital” of the nation, is a unique island located in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay. If you would like to see an unspoiled fishing village with quaint, narrow streets, then take a step back in time and visit Tangier Island today! The people of Tangier, who speak with a […]
State Board of Elections Moves Forward with Plans for Early Voting, Election Security Standards
The State Board of Elections took action on November 18 on two significant initiatives stemming from legislation enacted in 2019 – the implementation of “no-excuse” absentee voting and the establishment of security standards for local information technology systems that interact with the state’s voter registration system. Both efforts will require additional resources for localities to […]
VACo Releases 2020 Legislative Program
After months of steering committee meetings, lively debate and participation through the Association’s legislative process, VACo adopted its 2020 Legislative Program. The Legislative Program is organized according to VACo’s Steering Committees. VACo’s 2020 Legislative Program addresses other priorities in the realms of Economic Development and Planning, Education, Environment and Agriculture, Finance, General Government, Health and […]
State General Fund Collections Continue Strength in October; “Money Committees” Meeting This Week
Governor Northam announced last week that state General Fund (GF) revenues continued to demonstrate “solid growth” in October. Total GF collections increased by 9.6 percent in October, and on a fiscal year-to-date basis, total revenue collections have grown by 8.5 percent, comfortably ahead of the forecast of 1.2 percent growth. Individual income tax withholding collections […]
Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Sets FY 2021-2022 Employer Contribution Rates for Political Subdivisions
On November 19, the Benefits and Actuarial Committee of the VRS Board met to review actuarial results for political subdivision retirement plans, the Virginia Local Disability Program (VLDP), Local Health Insurance Credit (HIC), and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB). As with the State and Teacher plans, the recent lowering of the System’s assumed rate of return […]
2019 Annual Report on the Condition and Needs of Public Schools in Virginia
On November 14, the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE) met and reviewed their annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the condition and needs of public schools in Virginia. In addition to detailing VBOE’s proposed revisions to the Standards of Quality (SOQs), the report provides a useful overview of the state of […]
New contract with Dominion Energy to purchase electricity will save counties money
The Virginia Energy Purchasing Governmental Association (VEPGA), a joint powers association of more than 170 local government entities (including 37 counties), has signed a new contract to purchase electricity from Dominion Energy for the period August 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022. While an Agreement in Principle was reached earlier this year, the final contract […]
JOIN OUR TEAM!
Education Programs and Business Development Statewide association seeks a dynamic individual with experience or interest in educational programing and business development. This position will involve planning relevant and robust educational programs and training for association members as well as working with business partners of the organization. Knowledge or experience in local, state and federal government […]
Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards – Applications Due December 5
Virginia counties are eligible to apply for the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards, an annual program to recognize successful and innovative efforts that improve Virginia’s environment. The program is administered by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). There are four broad categories of awards with multiple […]
VACo Recognizes Graduates of the Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program
RICHMOND (November 14, 2019)—The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) recognized the 14th graduating class of the Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program on November 12 during VACo’s 85th Annual Conference in Bath County. The Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program provides training to enhance the leadership and decision-making skills of county supervisors in the Commonwealth. The nine […]
Stephen W. Bowen Elected VACo President for 2019-2020
RICHMOND (November 14, 2019)—The membership of the Virginia Association of Counties elected Nottoway County Chairman Stephen W. Bowen as 2019-2020 President during VACo’s 85th Annual Conference in Bath County. Bowen and other newly elected officers started their terms at VACo’s Annual Business Meeting on November 12. Bowen succeeds Wythe County Chairman Timothy A. Reeves, Sr., […]
Get your education on at the VACo 85th Annual Conference
Visit Madison County and the Limberlost Trail
Elevation: 3377 feet The Limberlost Trail leads the visitor to high elevation wetlands along a walking trail. This 1.3-mile trail provides numerous opportunities for wildlife watching not the least of which is the almost fearless white-tailed deer grazing all around. The higher elevation of this area provides for exciting birding. Species such as Blackburnian, black-throated […]
State Board of Elections Establishes Advisory Review Workgroup, Expected to Adopt Cybersecurity Standards Soon
At its October 29 meeting, the State Board of Elections voted to establish a new Advisory Review Workgroup to assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities. The Workgroup will consist of three members of the Voter Registrars Association of Virginia, three members of the Virginia Electoral Board Association, five citizen members, and two representatives […]
Virginia Board of Education Prescribes New Standards of Quality and Finance Committees Hear Updated Rebenchmarking Figures
On October 16 and 17, 2019 the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE) met to finalize their revisions to the Standards of Quality (SOQs), which set minimum requirements that must be met by all local school divisions for K-12 education in Virginia. The Board voted unanimously to prescribe the revised SOQs to the Governor and General […]
VRS Lowers Assumed Rate of Return and Certifies Teacher Employer Contribution Rates
Over the course of two meetings on October 10 and 17, the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Board approved a lower assumed rate of return (also referred to as the discount rate) and voted to certify to the Governor and General Assembly increased employer contribution rates for the teacher and state pension plans over the next […]