VACo Region 2 Meeting tackles issue of providing internet access to rural areas
Close to 50 county officials kicked off the start of VACo’s regional meeting schedule at Westmoreland State Park on the evening of May 22. Rob Jones with the recently formed Virginia Rural Broadband Coalition and King and Queen County administrator Tom Swartzwelder led an interactive discussion on overcoming the obstacles to providing affordable, high-speed internet […]
Governor designates areas in 60 counties for investment under new tax incentive program
The Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 includes a new revitalization tool that incentivizes investments into low-income census tracts by allowing investors to defer tax on prior capital gains, so long as the gains are reinvested in a Qualified Opportunity Fund. Each qualifying fund is created to invest in eligible properties located within […]
Budget Resolution Delayed
Senators returned to Richmond yesterday to continue work on the state budget, but local governments will have to wait at least another week for resolution of the budget impasse. After the Senate Finance Committee met last week to receive briefings from staff and discuss potential amendments in concept, it was anticipated that the Committee would […]
State Budget Discussions Continue
Senators returned to Richmond this week to continue discussions on the state budget. After a floor session that was largely procedural, the Senate Finance Committee met on May 14 and again the following day to receive a report on state revenues and discuss budget amendments offered by Senators, several of which addressed Medicaid expansion, the […]
Gary Larrowe
Botetourt County Administrator Q1. You took an unusual path to county administration – prior to being appointed County Administrator in Carroll County, you worked as a Virginia Cooperative Extension agent. How did your background prepare you for your work in local government? Gary Larrowe: To be honest, I certainly have had a “different” path to […]
Visit Clarke County and the Burwell-Morgan Mill
Although Millwood is small, it’s easy to spend hours in the village of about 200 residents. Explore its antiques shops ‑ The Red Schoolhouse, Malcolm Magruder Antiques and Judy Judy Judy – enjoy fine food and wine from Locke Store and, of course, visit the magnificent Burwell-Morgan Mill, which has been the very heartbeat of […]
Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in Virginia in the 21st Century Kicks Off Work for 2018
The Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century met on May 7 to review progress in improving the state’s mental health system and to plan its course for the year ahead. Secretary of Health and Human Resources Dr. Daniel Carey and Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services […]
Federal Legislation Makes Major Changes to Funding for Foster Care
Significant changes to federal funding for foster care were enacted in February with passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), which was incorporated into the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. FFPSA is the product of several years of discussion in Congress about ways to improve access to services to prevent children from being […]
Financial Facts
GASB issued an Invitation to Comment to seek feedback to assist in developing a revenue and expense recognition model for state and local governments. Two potential models are discussed in the Invitation. The first is an exchange/nonexchange model and the second is a performance obligation/no performance obligation model. This Invitation to Comment lays out potential […]
Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission Adopts Workplan for 2018
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) met on May 14 to approve its plan of studies and schedule of reports for 2018. As approved by its Study Topic Selection Subcommittee last fall, JLARC plans to complete and report on four major studies this year: Review of the Department of Elections. JLARC will review […]
Four VACo Regional Meetings Scheduled
VACo is excited to visit Westmoreland County and Dinwiddie County in May and Albemarle County and Hanover County in June for Regional Meetings, which are held annually to give local elected officials, county administrators, and legislators an opportunity to discuss challenges and offer solutions. Region 2 | May 22 | Westmoreland County | Agenda Regions […]
VACo’s 1207 to the 95 Blog – The Opioid Crisis Part 3: An Overview of Opioid Addiction Treatment
We continue our series on the national opioid epidemic by exploring treatment options for those seeking help with addiction. We’ll focus on a treatment option currently receiving a great deal of attention, and provide resources as to how this option works. Today’s post is a little longer than our previous work, so let’s jump right […]
2018 Presidential Initiative: Healthy Virginia Counties
As many of my VACo colleagues know, I’m passionate about health. Serving as a volunteer EMT for many years in King and Queen County has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve helped set EMS policy at the state level, and worked closely with our regional hospital to be sure that […]
State Budget Action Needed Now
As the impasse over the state budget approaches the end of its second month, work on the caboose and biennium budgets is expected to resume on May 14, when the Senate is scheduled to return to Richmond to consider the revised budget proposals passed by the House on April 17. VACo Members – Please contact […]
William B. Kyger
Rockingham County Supervisor Q1. In addition to serving on the Board of Supervisors, you are a longtime educator, teaching government in Rockingham County schools. How did your classroom experience prepare you for elected office? Billy Kyger: Being a United States Government teacher allowed me the opportunity to have a real good idea of how, in […]
Visit Botetourt County and Nininger’s Mill
Nininger’s Mill, also known as Tinker Mill, is a historic grist mill located near Daleville, Botetourt County, Virginia. The mill was built about 1847, and is a three-story, brick structure with a gable roof. Wood-frame additions added in the 20th century, are found on the north and east walls. Also on the property is a […]