Moseley Architects Receives 2018 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award
Moseley Architects, a full-service architecture and engineering firm with more than 49 years of planning and design experience, is proud to announce that it received the 2018 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award for its outstanding contribution to energy efficiency in commercial building design. The firm’s accomplishments will be recognized by the U.S. Environmental […]
GO Virginia Status Update
In 2016, the General Assembly created the Virginia Growth and Opportunity (GO VA) Board and Fund. The Board is a policy arm in the executive branch of state government promoting collaborative regional economic and workforce development opportunities and activities. The Fund is a nonreverting account in the state treasury that facilitates regional collaboration on economic […]
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Online Sales Tax Case
The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments on April 17 in South Dakota v. Wayfair Inc., a case that could have major implications for collections of sales taxes on online purchases. The case centers around a law which took effect in South Dakota in 2016 and requires businesses that sell more than $100,000 in […]
It’s almost Regional Meetings time!
VACo is excited to visit Westmoreland County and Dinwiddie County in May 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 1 & 4 | May 30 | Dinwiddie […]
Financial Facts
GASB has issued a new standard requiring state and local governments to present direct borrowings and direct placements of debt separately from other types of debt in their financial statements. GASB Statement No. 88, Certain Disclosures Related to Debt, Including Direct Borrowings and Direct Placements, clarifies which liabilities governments should include in disclosures related to […]
VACo’s 1207 to the 95 Blog – The Opioid Crisis: How Do I Learn More?
Over the past decade, American communities have become all too familiar with the scourge of addiction – in particular, opioid abuse. This unique and deadly epidemic continues to grow with few localities remaining unscathed from the devastating impacts. Given the critical nature of this issue, VACo is working to ensure that members have the resources […]
Capitol Contact ALERT – Contact Legislators to Uphold Governor’s Veto of Troubling Assessment Bill
HB 1204 (Hugo) would require that certain property be assessed based on use value rather than fair market value in certain localities meeting specified population growth criteria (Arlington County and Loudoun County) – whether or not the locality had adopted land use value taxation. This legislation was introduced because of a dispute between the owners […]
Governor’s Amendments and Vetoes to be Considered at April 18 Reconvened Session
Governor Ralph Northam released his final amendments to legislation from the 2018 regular session on Monday, April 9. Gubernatorial amendments to 53 bills (including House and Senate pairs) will be considered by the General Assembly on April 18 at the Reconvened Session. For the Governor’s amendments to be accepted, both chambers must agree. Governor’s amendments […]
Support Governor’s veto of property assessment bill
HB 1204 (Hugo) would require that certain property be assessed based on use value rather than fair market value in certain localities meeting specified population growth criteria (Arlington County and Loudoun County). This legislation was introduced as a result of a dispute between the owners of two country clubs and Arlington County over the valuation […]
Governor’s Amendments to Bills of Interest to Local Governments
Solar tax exemption SB 902 (Lucas), a bill introduced at VACo’s request, would provide more local flexibility in the tax treatment of solar facilities. Under current law, solar facilities greater than 20 megawatts (MW) in generation capacity are provided a mandatory 80 percent exemption from local property taxes. SB 902 caps this mandatory exemption at […]
2018 VACo Supervisors’ Forum – That’s A Wrap!
Pictured from left to right – Madison County Supervisor Amber Foster, Grayson County Supervisor Tom Revels, Stafford County Supervisor Cindy Shelton, and VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch. VACo members from around the Commonwealth recently converged upon the Omni Richmond Hotel for the 2018 VACo Supervisors’ Forum. Throughout this two-day event, local officials engaged in numerous […]
2018 RWJF County Health Rankings Released
The 2018 RWJF County Health Rankings are here! Each year, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (CHR&R)—a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the University of Wisconsin Institute for Population Health—ranks nearly every county in the U.S on a number of vital health factors. The annual rankings serve as not only a measuring […]
Visit Dickenson County and the Birch Knob Tower
Photo Credit: Brad Deel Drone Photography & Videography The Birch Knob Observation Tower was completed in December of 2003 by the United States Forest Service after four years of construction. The purpose of the project was to provide recreational viewing opportunities for the public. The observation deck is at an elevation 3,144 feet above sea […]
National County Government Month
National County Government Month (NCGM), held each April, is an annual celebration of county government. Since 1991, the National Association of Counties has encouraged counties to actively promote the services and programs they offer. Counties can schedule activities any time during the month. NCGM is an excellent opportunity for your county to highlight effective county […]
VACo volunteers at 71st Annual YMCA Model General Assembly
VACo Board Member and Rockingham County Supervisor Billy Kyger (left) receives the Service to Youth Award from Governor Ralph Northam and the Virginia YMCA for Kyger’s continued work and support of the Model General Assembly. Each spring, more than 550 high school students from across the Commonwealth descend on Richmond to take part in the […]
Khaki LaRiviere visits Cumberland County for job fair
From left to right – Nicci Edmondston (Cumberland County Administrator/Finance), Vivian Seay Giles (Cumberland County Administrator), Khaki LaRiviere (VACo), and Roxanne Salerno (Financial Services Associate) Cumberland County High School hosted a career fair last week with more than 20 participating organizations, including Dominion Energy, McGuireWoods Consulting, C&F Bank, and VACo. CHS students shared career interests, […]