October 6 is the deadline to submit Go Green Scores
October 6 is the deadline for VACo members to register and submit their scores for certification under the 2017 Green Government Challenge, a friendly competition designed to encourage implementation of specific policies and practical actions to protect the environment and promote energy efficiency by local governments and the broader communities they serve. As in years […]
Joint Subcommittee to Evaluate Tax Preferences to take broad look at tax structure
The Joint Subcommittee to Evaluate Tax Preferences signaled a new approach to its work at its meeting on September 25. Chairman R. Lee Ware opened the meeting by suggesting that the joint subcommittee take a holistic approach to the effect of tax preferences on the overall tax code rather than examining individual deductions, exemptions, or […]
Commission on Local Government shares catalog of mandates
The Commission on Local Government met September 12 and unveiled its updated, searchable Catalog of State and Local Mandates on Local Government. This is a tool that all local governments can use for information and guidance on mandates.
Mental Health Study Commission Discusses Proposed Financial Realignment of Public Mental Health System
The Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century (often referred to as the “Deeds Commission”) met on September 28 to receive updates from its expert advisory panels and to discuss current initiatives underway at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). Dr. Jack Barber, Interim DBHDS […]
Counties eligible for grants to support agriculture and forestry economic development
The Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) Facilities Grant program provides incentives for agriculture or forestry processing businesses to expand or locate in Virginia. In addition, the AFID Planning Grant program offers matching funds to support Virginia localities’ planning initiatives for agriculture and forestry economic development and job-creation. Both programs are available to […]
83rd Annual Conference Update
If you are attending VACo’s Annual Conference, here are some few helpful suggestions to make your time at The Omni Homestead run smoothly. Please call 804.788.6652 with questions. UPON ARRIVAL Check-in time for your room is 4 p.m. Valet parking is included in the 15 percent daily charge that is automatically added to your room […]
Revive RVA regional summit to explore solutions to heroin, opioid epidemic
The city of Richmond and the counties of Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover will present a free summit Thursday, October 26 to examine and identify solutions to the alarming rise of heroin and opioid abuse in central Virginia. The community event — titled Revive RVA: Regional Solutions to the Opioid Crisis — will be held from […]
NACo Counties Futures Lab Adds Benchmarking Feature to County Explorer
NACo’s County Explorer allows users to use data for communication, advocacy and now benchmarking. The new benchmarking feature makes it easier to draw comparisons between counties — allowing users to select up to 10 indicators for a county and compare with peer counties, state medians and/or even medians across the 3,069 counties. The new County […]
Panel recommends actions for legislature to close gap in funding for transit
In 2016 the General Assembly created the Transit Capital Project Revenue Advisory Board (TCRAB) “to identify possible sources of replacement revenue” when dedicated bond funds tor transit capital projects (approved in 2007) expire in 2019. Based on needs and projected revenues, the average annual revenue gap will be $130 million over the next decade, a […]
KEITH C. BLOWE
Sussex County Board of Supervisors Vice-Chairman Q1. You served in U.S. Army for more than 28 years before retiring as a Colonel, and you now run your own business. What made you decide to run for public office? Keith Blowe: Serving in our Armed Forces all over the world was truly a humbling experience for […]
Visit Appomattox County and The American Civil War Museum – Appomattox
Standing on the site of The American Civil War Museum – Appomattox, you can look northeast to Appomattox Court House, site of the meeting between Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant where the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered on April 9, 1865. From this intersection of Routes 24 and 460, turn your eyes south […]
State General Fund Revenues Increase in August
The Governor announced this week that state General Fund (GF) revenues grew 1.1 percent relative to the previous year, due largely to continued strength in individual income tax withholding collections. On a fiscal year-to-date basis, collections increased by three percent, outpacing the annual forecast of 2.7 percent growth. Individual income tax withholding, representing 63 percent […]
State Board of Elections Decertifies DRE Voting Machines
The State Board of Elections voted unanimously on September 8 to decertify Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) machines for use in Virginia, effective immediately. As discussed in the last issue of County Connections, this decision was the result of a security review of the machines undertaken by the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA), which was prompted […]
The Berkley Group’s ETA Program provides localities with experienced management services during an executive vacancy
When the Town of Amherst had its top administrative position suddenly open after 25 years, the Council decided to tackle the problem with a modern approach. Instead of calling around the state, seeking an experienced and capable interim replacement, the Town of Amherst contacted professional consulting firm The Berkley Group. Soon after, both parties entered […]
Digital Counties Survey 2017 – Winners Announced
The Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) announced the winners of the 15th annual Digital Counties Survey. The survey, conducted by CDG in partnership with NACo, identifies the best technology practices among U.S. counties, including initiatives that streamline delivery of government services, encourage collaboration and shared services, enhance cybersecurity […]
State approves new funding formula for local 911 programs
On September 14, the 9-1-1 Services Board adopted a recalculation of the wireless 9-1-1 funding distribution formula that localities receive to operate their emergency call centers. The revised formula is based on a combination of call load data and 2018 population estimates, and will result in some localities receiving more, or less, starting July 1, […]