Financial Facts
The amount of student loan debt has risen by 149 percent over the past decade to $1.4 trillion. Delinquencies have risen 62 percent for the same period. However, since 2007 delinquencies have declined by 3 percent, showing that borrowers are getting better at managing their debt. Meanwhile, an Economic Policy Institute survey based on 2013 […]
State Investigates Security of Certain Voting Machines
The Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) has undertaken a security review of several models of Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting machines, an action that was sparked by media coverage of the “DEFCON” hackers’ conference this summer, which included a “Voting Village” demonstration during which hackers were able to breach the security of several commonly-used voting […]
Visit Surry County and Smith’s Fort Plantation
ca. 1761 | 217 Smith Fort Lane, Surry, VA 23883 Come visit the only place you can listen to the stories of John Smith, John Rolfe, Pocahontas and Wahunsenacawh, all told through their interactions with the location now known as Smith’s Fort Plantation. Smith’s Fort Plantation is nestled on the south side of the James […]
McAuliffe Administration proposes changes to Smart Scale application process, including limits on the number of applications per funding cycle – Comments due October 20
The Secretary of Transportation’s Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment (OIPI) has released a draft of proposed revisions to the Smart Scale Technical Guide. This document outlines the process and technical requirements for submitting applications for funding both local and regional transportation projects. For local governments, transit agencies and regional planning organizations (MPOs and PDCs), […]
Governor McAuliffe Addresses General Assembly “Money Committees”
Governor McAuliffe presented his year-end report on FY 2017 revenue collections to the House Appropriations, House Finance, and Senate Finance Committees on Monday, August 21. The news was largely positive, with a state General Fund (GF) revenue surplus of $136.6 million, but the Governor sounded a strong note of caution in his remarks, citing continued […]
Param Solutions – Mycounty-Digital Citizen Engagement Mobile Platform
The Mycounty platform is an all encompassing cloud-based self-service mobile application available on iOS (https://goo.gl/LxEiGM) and Android (https://goo.gl/nccVxT) with a highly configurable backend helping state and local counties deliver digital citizen engagement services. The Mycounty platform is built to be configured on the fly and is deployable in 30-60 days or less. Since the platform comes with a pre-built […]
VACo Associate Member SPOTLIGHT – Ballou Justice Upton Architects
VACo Hosts Auditor of Public Accounts for Webinar on Local Fiscal Stress
On August 17, VACo hosted Auditor of Public Accounts (APA) Martha Mavredes and members of her staff for a webinar on the proposed “early warning system” for local government fiscal stress. As discussed in a previous article, language adopted in the state budget by the 2017 General Assembly requires the development of this system, which […]
Public Comment Period Open on Proposed Revisions to Standards of Accreditation
Proposed amendments to the state’s Standards of Accreditation for public schools were published in the Virginia Register of Regulations earlier this month; the public comment period is open until October 6. The proposed amendments implement the changes to high school graduation requirements envisioned in the “Profile of a Virginia Graduate,” which the Board of Education […]
Applications being accepted for grant monies available through license plate sales
The Chesapeake Bay Restoration Advisory Committee is accepting grant applications to conduct Chesapeake Bay-related education and restoration activities. The grants are funded with monies from the sale of the of the special Chesapeake Bay “Friend of the Chesapeake” license plate. This year, $310,882 in grant monies will be awarded to eligible applicants. During this past […]
2017 VACo County Officials’ Summit
9 a.m. | Monday, August 21, 2017 DoubleTree by Hilton Charlottesville | 990 Hilton Heights Road | Charlottesville, VA 22901 Join us on Monday, August 21, to hear Ed Gillespie and Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam separately share their vision for Virginia with county supervisors, administrators and staff at the VACo County Officials’ Summit. Lieutenant Governor […]
Visit Westmoreland County and Westmoreland State Park
General Information On the Potomac River’s Northern Neck, this park offers many opportunities for family fun. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has an Olympic-sized swimming pool and an adjacent bathhouse, meeting area, snack bar, camp store and power-boat ramp. You’ll also find a visitor center, campgrounds, camping cabins, a playground, […]
DARRYL E. FISHER
Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors Chairman Q1. What led you to pursue a career in public administration? What advice would you give to others considering such a career path? Darryl Fisher: Having deep roots in Westmoreland County, having lived here all of my life, having following generations of change makers in Westmoreland County; people […]
83rd VACo Annual Conference Logo
VACo is happy to present the official logo for the 83rd Annual Conference being held November 12-14. As noted in the May 19 newsletter, the conference planning committee chose the following theme: COMMUNICATIONS | ENGAGEMENT | KNOWLEDGE | SUCCESS This conference theme represents four vital elements that local government officials incorporate on a daily basis […]
Go Green Seminar held on August 2
Water supply planning, water quality in the Chesapeake Bay restorartion and Solar Energy were key issues addressed during the second annual Go Green seminar held by VML and VACo on August 2. The event was held at the Richmond Convention Center. The seminar also provided additional information about how localities can be certified under the […]
2017 Green Government Challenge launched
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 […]