April is a “Solid Month” for State Revenues
State General Fund revenues continued to perform well in April, which Secretary of Finance Stephen E. Cummings characterized as a “solid month” for revenue collections in his remarks to the House Appropriations Committee on May 28. Although total General Fund revenues declined by 1 percent in April, revenues outperformed expectations for the month by $162.6 […]
Behavioral Health Commission Sets Preliminary Course for 2024
After an initial organizational meeting of the full Behavioral Health Commission in May, which included a preliminary discussion of its 2024 workplan, the Commission’s Executive Committee met on June 3 to refine the proposed set of studies for the year and adopt a preliminary study plan to recommend to the full Commission. The full Commission […]
JLARC Adopts Workplan for 2024
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) met on May 21 and formally approved its plan of work for the remainder of the year. Planned studies include several items of interest to local governments: Data centers: The Commission’s study resolution directs staff to review the overall impacts of the data center industry in Virginia, […]
Virginia Commission on Youth Approves Study Plans for 2024
The Commission on Youth held its first meeting of the year on May 21. In addition to receiving an update from the Office of Children’s Services and a briefing from a nonprofit providing essential items to economically disadvantaged young children in the Central Virginia region, the Commission discussed its work plan for the remainder of […]
Joint Commission on Health Care Prepares for 2024 Work
The Joint Commission on Health Care met on May 22 to organize its work for the remainder of the year. Delegate Rodney Willett was elected as the new Chair, and Senator Ghazala Hashmi was chosen as the new Vice-Chair. Commission members previously planned for two major studies to be conducted this year: Performance of health […]
VACo to Present at Virginia Disability Commission on Housing; Seeks Examples of Innovative County Programs
At the request of the Virginia Disability Commission, VACo has been asked to address how counties work to address housing needs for those with disabilities. Over the years we have recognized several outstanding and innovative programs counties have implemented, often in partnership with local stakeholders, to find solutions for those needing assistance in this area. […]
Region 2 Meeting Features Robust Local Authority Discussion
VACo held its second of eight regional meetings for 2024 on May 22 at the Law Enforcement Center in James City County. VACo staff had the honor of traveling to James City County, which graciously hosted the event, to meet with local elected officials and staff. Region 2 encompasses the counties of Essex, Gloucester, James […]
An Exhilarating Day of Education at the Supervisors’ Forum
Chesterfield County Administrator Dr. Joe Casey provides advice from his decades of experience as part of the Budget Workshop. Saturday… in the park. Saturdays are usually meant as a day of leisure and perhaps spent at the park watching people dancing, people laughing, or a man selling ice cream. But on Saturday, May 18, a […]
Governor Takes Final Actions on Remaining Bills from 2024 Regular Session
On Friday, May 17, Governor Youngkin announced his final actions on the 55 bills that were returned to him by the legislature after consideration of his amendments at the April 17 reconvened session. The Governor had thirty days to take final action on these bills; at this stage in the legislative process, the Governor may […]
Visit Mecklenburg County and the Mecklenburg County Historic Courthouse
Location: SW – Washington Street / Madison Street Built: 1834 – 1842 Style: Roman Revival Architect: William A Howard and James Whitice. Contractor: William A Howard and James Whitice. Description: The building faces east and is a two story white colored brick and wood structure. The east front has a large portico across the front […]
VACo Kicks Off Regional Meetings In Prince George County
Thank you Senator Lashrecse Aird (pictured), Delegate Carrie Coyner, Delegate Kim Taylor and Delegate Otto Wachsmann for participating in the Regions 1 & 4 Meeting. VACo staff is back on the road this year visiting counties among the 13 VACo regions defined across the Commonwealth. VACo will hold eight regional meetings this year, five in […]
VACo and The Chesapeake Bay Program Soliciting County Leader Input
The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) is helping the Chesapeake Bay Program distribute a survey of elected or appointed officials and senior staff involved in policy making. The Survey is a short set of questions that evaluate the knowledge and capacity of local officials on issues related to water resources. The survey was first conducted […]
SMART SCALE Applications Open June 1
Virginia’s premier transportation funding program, SMART SCALE, will be accepting full applications starting on June 1, 2024. SMART SCALE is the method of scoring and funding transportation projects that meet one or more transportation needs identified in Virginia’s Transportation Plan, VTrans. This will be the 6th Round of the SMART SCALE process. VACo previously reported, […]
General Assembly and Governor Complete Work on State Budgets
A lengthy process of developing budget revisions for FY 2024 and a new budget for the upcoming biennium concluded on May 13 with the legislature’s overwhelming passage of new “caboose” and biennium spending bills, followed promptly by the Governor signing both bills into law. The approved spending plans remove the sales tax policy changes included […]
2024 Supervisors’ Forum Presentations
2024 VACo Supervisors’ Forum Presentations 845am | The Role of the Supervisor The Honorable Mary Biggs | Montgomery County Chair | PRESENTATION — 915am | Budget Workshop Dr. Joseph P. Casey | Chesterfield County Administrator | PRESENTATION — 1030am | Working with Constitutional Officers Alan D. Albert | Partner | O’Hagan Meyer and Legislative Counsel | Virginia […]
VACo Releases 2024 Legislative Summary
The Legislative Summary details the actions of the 2024 General Assembly. It also includes information on legislation of interest to counties. This edition contains links to bills through the General Assembly’s Legislative Information System and includes studies and statistics of importance to counties. Read VACo’s 2024 Legislative Summary VACo Contact: Legislative Team