Review of Voter Assignments Underway
The Virginia Department of Elections has been working to identify voters who may have been assigned to incorrect voting districts. A review prompted by the discovery that some voters had been improperly assigned in districts in the Fredericksburg area that were involved in a close House of Delegates race in 2017. The Department of Elections […]
U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Online Sales Tax Case
On June 21, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., et al. that states may require out-of-state retailers to collect sales taxes, even if the retailer has no physical presence in the state. The case centered around South Dakota’s law requiring businesses selling more than $100,000 in goods […]
County Officials Attend White House County Supervisor Conference
More than 200 VACo members attended the White House Virginia County Supervisors Conference on Tuesday, June 26. Many attendees began the day with a briefing at NACo’s offices, where NACo Executive Director Matt Chase and legislative staffers provided an overview of key federal issues of importance to counties. Speakers at the conference included several Cabinet […]
Public Comment Period Now Open for CSA Policy Regarding Uniform Assessment Instrument
On June 21, the State Executive Council approved a notice of intent to develop a consolidated policy regarding the use of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment (CANS). State statute requires use of a uniform assessment instrument in order for a child to be eligible for CSA services, and existing policy requires that […]
U.S. Communities Lunch and Learn | July 25 | Norfolk
U.S. Communities Lunch and Learn event is quickly approaching! The event takes place on July 25 from 11am-2pm at the Nauticus Museum in Norfolk, VA. Some highlights for attending include: Free Lunch, Parking, and Museum Admission Guest Speakers: John Rowe, Mayor of Portsmouth & Sherrin Alsop, VACo President and King & Queen County Commissioner Meet […]
VACo Proposes National Policy to Deploy Rural Broadband
VACo has drafted a resolution to be considered at the National Association of Counties Annual Conference in July. Sponsored by Dinwiddie County Supervisor Harrison Moody, the resolution focuses on jumpstarting rural broadband P3s across the country by making the Rural Utility Service funds more accessible. Specifically, the resolution urges Congress to dedicate funding for broadband, […]
U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Online Sales Tax Case
On June 21, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., et al. that states may require out-of-state retailers to collect sales taxes, even if the retailer has no physical presence in the state. The case centered around South Dakota’s law requiring businesses selling more than $100,000 in goods per year in […]
Regionalism, Rural Broadband, and Restoring State Funding Support are Top Issues at Region 12 Meeting
State and local leaders met on June 21 in Grayson County to discuss issues ranging from K-12 funding and lack of connectivity to disincentives in state economic development dollars. Delegate Will Morefield led a robust discussion on the changes made to the Commonwealth’s Development Opportunity Fund HB 222 (Morefield)/SB 883 (Stanley). Working with Delegate Lashrecse […]
Key Elements of the 2018-2020 Biennium Budget
Governor Northam signed the FY 2018 “caboose” and 2018-2020 biennium budgets on June 7, marking the resolution of a months-long impasse. The following is an analysis of key elements of the biennium budget, which makes investments in county priorities such as K-12 education, mental health, early childhood, and public safety. 2018 Session Adopted State GF […]
2018 Presidential Initiative: Spotlight on Nutrition – Healthy Virginia Counties in Action
As we approach the official beginning of summer next week, our calendars begin to fill with graduation parties and backyard cookouts as summer crops like berries and tomatoes appear in our grocery stores, roadside stands, and farmers’ markets. Too many of our neighbors, however, struggle to put nutritious food on the table, with a variety […]
Bryan Hill
Fairfax County Executive Q1. In addition to holding a master’s degree in public administration, you majored in public administration as an undergraduate. What made you decide on that career path? Bryan Hill: I started my college career in computer science, but I attended a liberal arts college where I was fortunate enough to be exposed […]
Visit Page County and the Worker Statue at the Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center
Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center Location: Mile 51 on Skyline Drive Available Facilities: Restrooms, information desk, exhibits, ranger programs, videos, bookstore, publications, maps, backcountry permits, and first aid. Big Meadows across Skyline Drive from visitor center. SOURCE: National Park Service
Financial Facts
State and local governments will be required to present direct borrowings and direct placements of debt separately from other types of debt in note disclosures in their financial statements for reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2018. Under a new GASB standard, GASB No.88, Certain Disclosures Related to Debt, Including Direct Borrowings and Direct Placements, […]
VACo Regional Meetings Schedule
VACo is excited to start the 2018 Regional Meetings season. We visited Westmoreland County on May 22 and Dinwiddie County on May 30. We traveled to Albemarle County on June 14 for the Region 5 Meeting. Regional Meetings are held annually to give local elected officials, county administrators, and legislators an opportunity to discuss challenges […]
Helping Counties Plan for the Impacts of Utility-Scale Solar Facilities
By The Berkley Group On the Virginia and North Carolina border is Mecklenburg County, which has thousands of acres of agricultural and forested land, and an abundance of high voltage transmission lines. Mecklenburg County became the unexpected, but ideal site for solar energy companies to locate utility-scale solar facilities. While the Department of Environmental Quality […]
SROs and Threat Assessments: Studying School Safety
The Commission on Youth met on June 6 to discuss recent data collection efforts on school safety and student discipline across the Commonwealth. At the request of Senator Marsden, one of the five approved Commission studies focuses on the utilization of School Resource Officers (SROs). With an emphasis on preventive measures, the Commission provided an […]