Author: Gage Harter

First Lady holds conference call on Summer Food Service Program with local leaders

First Lady McAuliffe joined The Honorable Pam Hemminger, the Mayor of Chapel Hill, N.C., and representatives from No Kid Hungry Virginia on March 15 to discuss ways that local governments can be involved in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a federally-funded, state-administered program that ensures that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when […]

General Fund Revenue Collections Up in February; Unemployment Down

Several pieces of encouraging economic news were released this week, as the Governor announced that healthy General Fund revenue collections continued in February and that Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 4 percent. Total General Fund revenue collections increased by 3.6 percent in February over the previous year. For the fiscal year-to-date, revenue collections […]

Sara Carter

Appomattox County Supervisor Q1. You hold a master’s degree in planning, and in addition to working as a planner for several local governments, you served on the Appomattox County Planning Commission. What sparked your interest in planning and land use?  SC: When I was a senior in high school, I was invited to participate in […]

Commonwealth Transportation Board considers changes to Revenue Sharing Program

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) is considering a number of changes to Virginia’s Transportation Revenue Sharing Program.  On March 14, a subcommittee comprised of CTB members met to consider the five following policy options as presented by VDOT’s Local Division Director Julie Brown: Option 1: Limit total annual allocations to $5 million per locality (or […]

Counties Matter Challenge: Brilliant Ideas at Work

Counties play an essential role in keeping America’s communities healthy, vibrant and safe. With public and private sector partners, we pursue innovative approaches to advance public health and well-being, protect public safety and foster economic strength and resiliency. Under the leadership of National Association of Counties (NACo) President Bryan Desloge, NACo is embarking on an […]

It’s almost time for the 2017 Regional Legislative Meetings Season

Regional Meetings are held annually to give local elected officials, county administrators and legislators an opportunity to discuss challenges and offer solutions. A 2017 Regional Meetings schedule will be posted soon. We hope you can join us this year. Here’s a list of VACo Regions. VACo held 8 Regional Meetings covering 9 Regions during our […]

Register now for the 2017 Virginia Agritourism Conference

Agritourism entrepreneurs, economic development staff, and local government leaders are invited to the 2017 Virginia Conference on Agritourism on Tuesday through Thursday, April 18-20 at the Hilton Richmond Hotel Short Pump. Day 1 features a full day of interaction with agritourism experts on social media, event planning, labor regulations, legal issues, financial resources, marketing strategies, […]

General Assembly Adopts Amendments to 2016-2018 Biennium Budget

The General Assembly adjourned sine die on Saturday, February 25, after adopting amendments to the 2016-2018 biennium budget by large margins (40-0 in the Senate and 96-1 in the House). The primary task facing the legislature and the Governor in the development of the budget was the closure of a $1.5 billion shortfall that developed […]

ENTER THE 2017 VACo ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Dear VACo Members: It’s time for the 2017 Achievement Awards Program. Any county department is eligible to compete so ENTER NOW! All entries are required to be submitted in electronic form. No paper copy submissions are necessary. The electronic copy should be a PDF or WORD file. Email entries to Gage Harter at gharter@vaco.org. Submissions […]

Visit Giles County and The Cascades

This highly scenic, 4-mile round-trip trail meanders along a shaded mountain creek to a 66-foot waterfall within Jefferson National Forest. Hike is low to moderate difficulty. Picnicking area is at the beginning of the trail. Native trout fishing available in the Little Stony Creek.  Accessible restrooms at the trailhead. Picnic area. Water hydrant for filling […]

General Assembly adopts budget and adjourns sine die

After a 46-day General Assembly Session, the House of Delegates and Senate adjourned on Saturday, February 25, after adopting amendments to the state budget for 2016-2018. The $107 billion budget restores pay raises to public employees, protects education funding and invests in mental health services. The House voted 96-1 and the Senate 40-0 to adopt […]

Financial Facts

The ability of an entity to continue as a going concern is a fundamental principle in the preparation of financial statements. GASB Statement No. 56 establishes requirements related to management’s responsibilities for assessing going concern for state and local governmental entities. In July, 2016, the Accounting Standards Board (ASB) released an exposure draft, Proposed Statement […]

Virginia County Board Chairs and Vice Chairs

Thank you to county administrators and staff for your great response to our 2017 updates request. The following is a listing of this year’s Chairs and Vice Chairs as elected at county organizational meetings throughout the Commonwealth. Updates or corrections may be submitted at any time to Carol Cameron at ccameron@vaco.org. COUNTY CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN […]

VACo Team Legislative Wrap for the 2017 General Assembly Session

Watch the Entire Video Economic Development and Planning | General Government Watch Joe Lerch recap important bills in his coverage areas. Education | Health and Human Resources Watch Katie Boyle recap important bills in her coverage areas. FOIA | COIA | Conflicts of Interest | General Government Watch Phyllis Errico recap important bills in her […]