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
Energy Landscape of Virginia Series with Joe Lerch Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 8 | 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 permits to operate. Specifically, […]
Money Committees Discuss State Revenues, Hurricane Helene Relief, Medicaid, and More
Both the Senate Finance and Appropriations and the House Appropriations Committees received briefings from Secretary of Finance Stephen E. Cummings on state revenues and Hurricane Helene relief efforts at meetings last week. State revenues turned in a strong performance in September, which is an important month for state finances, as it reflects individual income tax […]
Visit Patrick County and the Patrick County Historic Courthouse
PHOTO SOURCE: Virginia Is For Lovers Location: 101 West Blue Ridge Street / North Main StreetBuilt: 1821 – 1822Style: Roman Revival or JeffersonianArchitect: Abram StaplesContractor: Abram Staples Description: The building faces southeast and is a two story red colored brick structure. The building is located on the landscaped grounds of the Courthouse Square in the […]
Regulations to Allow Mobile Medication-Assisted Treatment Services Open for Public Comment
Regulations that would allow existing providers of medication for addiction treatment to add a mobile component to their services have been released for a 30-day public comment period, beginning October 21. As defined in current regulations, medication assisted treatment (sometimes referred to as medication for opioid use disorder) is the use of U.S. Food and […]