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 […]
Chesapeake Bay Commission and Governor to host ‘Back to the Bay’ Signature Event on June 10
In 2016 the General Assembly passed HJR 31 designating the second week of June as Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week. This designation was championed by the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a commission created in 1980 to promote cooperation among Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania for the improvement of water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Bay Awareness Week provides […]
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 […]
VACo Legislative Wrap – February 23
For Thursday, February 23
The final days of the 2017 General Assembly Session
The 2017 General Assembly is heading rapidly toward its scheduled adjournment sine die on Saturday, February 25. Surviving bills are either on the House or Senate floors, under negotiation in conference committees, or on the way to Governor Terry McAuliffe for approval. The last day for committee action on legislation was Monday, February 20, and […]
Short-term rental bill passes House
SB 1578 (Norment), which affirms local government authority over short-term rentals, passed the House on Wednesday afternoon by a vote of 86-14. VACo supports SB 1578 because it preserves local authority and authorizes a locality to adopt an ordinance requiring the registration of persons offering property for short-term rental. The bill defines “short-term rental” as […]
Revised wireless bill passes; local authority for approving cell towers is preserved
SB 1282 (McDougle) has passed both chambers and now must be acted upon by the Governor by March 27. After lengthy negotiations with the wireless industry, VACo has agreed to support the revised bill. As originally drafted, the bill would have gutted local land use authority for the siting of new wireless support structures (towers, […]
Revised broadband bill passes Senate; provision harmful to local authorities is struck
With removal of language that would have effectively halted public-private partnerships to deploy broadband to unserved and underserved areas, VACo no longer opposes HB 2108 (Byron). The bill passed the Senate and is now headed to the Governor for consideration. At the request of Delegate Kathy Byron, language was struck that would have removed FOIA […]