Author: Gage Harter

Local Government Administration

VACo is tracking general government legislation that may impact localities. SB 14 (Petersen) changes current law to require that only the county attorney or if there is no county attorney, the county clerk receive service for an action against a local official. Currently, section 8.01-300 of the Code of Virginia requires in an action against a […]

Law Enforcement Conduct Standards

VACo is monitoring criminal justice bills that may impact localities. SB 196 (Locke) requires the Criminal Justice Services Board (Board) adopt statewide professional standards of conduct for certified law enforcement and jail officers by July 1, 2019. The bill adds that the Board shall decertify an officer based on serious misconduct in violation of those […]

VACo Opposes Gutting of Local Authority for Siting of Wireless Towers and Poles

The wireless industry will once again be pressing lawmakers to pass legislation that would severely limit local authority for the siting of new wireless support structures (towers, poles). A preview of potential legislation expected can be found here, and was presented to the General Assembly’s Committee on Wireless Communications Infrastructure last September. Most significantly, the […]

Constitutional Amendments of Interest to Localities Reintroduced

Several Constitutional amendments of interest to localities have been reintroduced in the 2018 General Assembly.  A constitutional amendment must pass twice in identical form – once before and once after an intervening election for House of Delegates – before being voted on as a referendum. “Second resolution” Constitutional amendments that passed the 2017 Session and […]

Meals Tax Legislation Introduced

SB 115 (Locke) removes the requirement for a food and beverage tax to be approved by referendum and increases the maximum tax rate from 4 percent to 8 percent.  VACo has historically supported the ability of counties to levy a food and beverage tax by ordinance, authority which is currently extended to cities and towns.  […]

VACo Meets with House Minority Leader

The VACo Legislative Team recently met with Delegate David Toscano to discuss the upcoming General Assembly Session, and several important County issues. VACo expressed its support for the modernization of the Communications Sales and Use Tax Structure (CSUT). Currently, the tax does not reflect the modern telecommunications landscape – such as streaming services – that […]

Legislation Strengthens Community Policing Training and Standards

VACo is monitoring a pair of criminal justice bills that may affect Counties. HB 174 (Filler-Corn) requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish communication procedures between law enforcement and individuals with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities. The legislation is pending a Committee assignment. SB 59 (Lucas) directs the Department of […]

Children’s Services Act (CSA) Legislation Introduced

Two bills have been introduced that seek to address the issue of how to serve children with higher-level needs in their local school divisions. HB 176 (Bell, Richard P.) directs the Department of Education to implement a pilot program in two local school divisions to study the resources necessary to transition students currently placed in […]

Governor Ralph Northam to Speak at VACo County Government Day

February 8, 2018 | Omni Richmond Hotel | Agenda This is our day to advocate for counties at the 2018 General Assembly Session. Join us for VACo County Government Day on Thursday, February 8! Registration opens at 11 a.m. and the event kicks off with lunch at noon. Governor Ralph Northam will speak on issues […]

2018 GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENES ON JANUARY 10

Look for Capitol Contact on Tuesdays and Thursdays The 2018 General Assembly session will span from January 10 to March 10, and legislators will deliberate on many issues critical to local government, including taxes, the state budget, education funding, economic development, public safety, and other policy matters. VACo will continually provide updates during the session […]

2018 VML/VACo Finance Forum Held January 3

The 2018 Finance Forum, an event co-sponsored by VACo and VML, was held on January 3 and featured presentations from state and local experts on a variety of topics of importance to local budgets in advance of the January 10 start of the 2018 General Assembly session. Among the key topics of discussion at the […]

Visit Roanoke County and Bent Mountain Falls

The Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve, located south of Roanoke in the highlands of the Blue Ridge Plateau, features a spectacular gorge and arguably the tallest waterfall in Virginia. Before joining Goose Creek at the downstream end to form the South Fork Roanoke River, Bottom Creek flows through a narrow ~3-mile gorge that varies between 200 […]

Governor-Elect Ralph Northam Cabinet Appointments

Chief of Staff | Clark Mercer Deputy Chief of Staff | Suzette Denslow Counsel to the Governor | Rita Davis Secretary of Administration | Keyanna Conner Secretary of Commerce and Trade | OPEN Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry | Bettina Ring Secretary of the Commonwealth | Kelly Thomasson Secretary of Education | Atif Qarni Secretary […]

Key Dates for 2018 General Assembly Session

The Joint Rules Committee met on December 18 to adopt the procedural resolution that sets the schedule for the 2018 General Assembly session. Although the procedural resolution will be considered by the full House and Senate in January, typically it is agreed upon without amendments. Key dates in the procedural resolution are as follows: January […]

Governor McAuliffe introduces revised FY 2018 and new 2018-20 biennium budget proposal

The FY 2018 “Caboose” Bill The FY 2018 “Caboose” bill contains $294 million in increased 2016-18 biennium General Fund (GF) revenues from last year’s adopted budget. The increased resources are due mostly to the higher base resulting from the $137 million FY 2017 surplus. Growth in FY 2018 general fund revenues at 3.4 percent was […]