Financial Facts
The IRS announced that the standard mileage rate for business use will drop to 53.5 cents per mile for 2017. Driving for medical or moving purposes will be 17 cents per mile and for a charitable organization 14 cents per mile. The portion of the business standard mileage rate that is treated as depreciation will […]
John Vithoulkas
Henrico County Manager Starting with this issue, we are introducing a new Q&A Feature that will profile a VACo member each month. Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas is the first. Get to know John and watch this space for more profiles. Q1. You have been serving on the state Commission on Employee Retirement Security and […]
Visit Madison County and Hawksbill Summit
Hawksbill Trailhead is located in the Central District at mile 45.6 on Skyline Drive. Here you will find the beginning of the A.T.-Hawksbill Loop trail and the Lower Hawksbill trail. Suggested Hikes Hike #1: A.T.-Hawksbill Loop Distance: 2.9-mile circuit | Difficulty: moderate | Duration: 2 hours | Elevation Gain: 860-feet At the north end of […]
Virginia Local Government Investment Webinars
The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) invites you and your colleagues to attend an informative, two-part investment series hosted by Multi-Bank Securities, Inc. (MBS). These free, 30-minute webinars have been created specifically as a resource for Virginia public funds officers of all experience levels and are built around applicable Virginia statutes. VACo and MBS urge you to join us […]
Statement of Economic Interest, Financial Disclosure and Real Estate Disclosure forms due
The Conflicts of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council has circulated revised forms and guidance for the January 2017 filings. Prior to assuming office or taking employment, each person listed below must file their required disclosure form. Thereafter, they must file annually on or before January 15. Guidance on filing out the forms can be found […]
Governor McAuliffe Unveils Proposed Amendments to 2016-2018 Biennium Budget
On December 16, Governor McAuliffe presented his amendments to the 2016-2018 biennium budget to members of the General Assembly’s Senate Finance, House Appropriations, and House Finance Committees. Overall, localities fared better than many had expected in August, when the Governor last addressed the “money committees” to announce the state’s revenue shortfall. The Governor’s proposal protects […]
Keep your eye out for FlagPoll!
VACo is excited to announce its participation in a pilot program that features a legislative tool that will help us collect and organize your opinions on issues. Over the past year, VACo consulted with the developers of FlagPoll, a software platform that allows you to easily view and weigh in on issues that are most […]
Visit Rockbridge County and Cyrus McCormick’s Farm and Workshop
The Cyrus McCormick Farm and Workshop is on the family farm of inventor Cyrus Hall McCormick known as Walnut Grove. Cyrus Hall McCormick improved and patented the mechanical reaper, which eventually led to the creation of the combine harvester. The farm is near Steele’s Tavern and Raphine, close to the northern border of Rockbridge and […]
Financial Facts
On December 7, GASB issued guidance for state and local governments to address asset retirement obligations related to tangible capital assets. Statement No. 83, Certain Asset Retirement Obligations, sets guidance for determining the timing and pattern of recognition for liabilities and corresponding deferred outflow of resources related to asset retirement obligations. A government that has […]
New Option for Medicaid Coverage for Local and Regional Jail Inmates’ Inpatient Hospital Care
As outlined in a recent article in American Jails Magazine co-authored by Jeff Gore, recent changes in state policy now allow inmates at local and regional jails to apply for Medicaid coverage for inpatient hospital services. This new policy has the potential to save localities significant dollars by enabling Medicaid to cover hospitalization costs that […]
CTB considering changes to transportation revenue sharing program
VDOT’s Revenue Sharing program has become a very important part in the development of local transportation improvement programs. County officials need to be aware of changes being considered by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) that would change the way in which funds under the program are allocated. A chief factor driving these changes is […]
Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the 21st Century Adopts Proposals for 2017
The Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the 21st Century met on December 6, along with two of its workgroups, to adopt its package of recommendations for the upcoming General Assembly session. The Joint Subcommittee voted to put forward 12 legislative and budget requests for the 2017 session, and discussed longer-term areas for […]
State’s final rule on ‘fracking’ approved
Regulations originally proposed by Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) to permit hydraulic fracking have been approved by the McAuliffe Administration, and will go into effect on December 28, 2016. The final version of these regulations published in the November 28 Virginia Register can be viewed at this link: http://register.dls.virginia.gov/details.aspx?id=6055. The regulations published […]
U.S. EPA Releases Final Report on Impacts from Hydraulic Fracturing Activities on Drinking Water Resources
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing its scientific report on the impacts from hydraulic fracturing activities on drinking water resources, which provides states and others the scientific foundation to better protect drinking water resources in areas where hydraulic fracturing is occurring or being considered. The report, done at the request of Congress, […]
SUMMARY OF THE 2017 GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION INTRODUCED BUDGET
Governor Terry McAuliffe presented his amendments to the 2016-2018 biennium budget to members of the Senate Finance, House Appropriations, and House Finance committees on December 16. The Governor indicated that his priorities in assembling his budget proposal, in addition to addressing the state’s revenue shortfall, were to avoid reductions in core services such as education […]
Speaker Howell previews the upcoming legislative session
House Speaker Bill Howell sits down with VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch to talk about the issues that will affect counties during the 2017 General Assembly Session. Speaker Howell weighs in on state supported salary increases, short-term rentals or Airbnb as well as local business taxes and tax reform. Click here for the video.