Key Dates for 2017 General Assembly Session
Key dates in the procedural resolution are as follows: January 11: General Assembly convenes at noon. Prefiled legislation must be submitted by 10 a.m.; this is also the last day to file bills dealing with the Virginia Retirement System or legislation creating or continuing a study. January 13: Budget amendments by General Assembly members must […]
Governor McAuliffe to speak at VACo County Government Day
February 2, 2017 Registration Form Register Online Agenda Omni Richmond Hotel Sponsor this Event! This is our day to advocate for counties at the General Assembly. Join us at VACo County Government Day on Thursday, February 2! Registration opens at 11 a.m. and the event kicks off with a boxed lunch at noon. Our keynote […]
VACo Releases 2017 Legislative Program
After months of steering committee meetings, lively debate and participation through the association’s legislative process, VACo adopted its 2017 Legislative Program. The Legislative Program is organized according to VACo’s Steering Committees. VACo membership identified “Increased Education Funding” as the overarching legislative priority for the 2017 General Assembly Session. VACo’s overarching legislative priority is: To assure […]
Join us for a VACo Education Event in early 2017
The new year brings new educational opportunities at VACo. The following is a preview of VACo Education programs scheduled in January and February 2017. On January 4, VACo will join with VML at the VML/VACo Finance Forum held at the Omni Richmond. Topics on the agenda include state revenues and the 2017 budget, local finance […]
Visit Botetourt County and Roaring Run Waterfall
Looking for a fun hike that features a natural water slide? Roaring Run falls and Furnace Trail is an excellent hiking trail for the whole family. The easy, well-marked trail begins at an historic iron furnace and winds back and forth along the Roaring Run stream. You will pass rock walls, cascading water, and cross […]
Coastal Policy Center issues report on Virginia’s stormwater program
During the 2016 session, the General Assembly passed HB 1250 (Wilt) and SB 673 (Hanger), companion bills that integrated the four chief statutes that deal with the issue of stormwater management. The provisions of HB 1250 and SB 673 are not scheduled to go into effect until July 1, 2017, or until the State Water […]
New report explores how localities can combat Opioid Epidemic
A new joint report from National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National League of Cities (NLC) examines how cities and counties can strengthen collaboration with each other and state, federal, private-sector and non-profit partners to tackle the opioid crisis. The report, A Prescription for Action: Local Leadership in Ending the Opioid Crisis, produced recommendations aimed at city and county […]
Pre-filed legislation targets local business tax
A bill to reduce local revenue collections is among a growing list of pre-filed legislation to be considered in the upcoming General Assembly session. SB 836 (Chase) requires that a locality tax businesses based on “Virginia taxable income” rather than “gross receipts,” which is the current practice. Such a mandate would have a significant fiscal […]
Mary W. Biggs Elected VACo President for 2016-2017
The membership of the Virginia Association of Counties elected Montgomery County Supervisor Mary W. Biggs as 2016-2017 President during VACo’s 82nd Annual Conference in Bath County. Biggs and other newly elected officers started their terms at the association’s Annual Business Meeting on November 15. Biggs succeeds Surry County Supervisor Judy S. Lyttle. Biggs becomes the […]
VACo Recognizes Winners of Go Green Program
The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2016 Go Green Awards, a program designed to encourage implementation of specific environmental policies and practical actions that reduce emissions and save local governments money. The winning counties are: Albemarle County Arlington County Chesterfield County James City County Louisa County Prince […]
Annual Conference Thank You
Thank you to all who participated in the success of the 82nd VACo Annual Conference! Thank you to 2016 Conference Planning Committee Chair, Sherrin Alsop, Chair, King and Queen County and all committee members for their guidance on increasing opportunities for attendees to interact with other attendees and exhibitors. Soon we will post our 2016 […]
Money Committees Hold Pre-Session Retreats
The House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees held their annual pre-General Assembly session retreats this week. These meetings are an opportunity for committee members to receive briefings from staff about topics that are expected to be the subjects of legislative or budget action during the upcoming session. Staff also typically provides an update on state […]
2016 Holidays at The Executive Mansion
Ornament submitted by Linda W. Clark | Lunenburg County VACo is working with the Executive Mansion for the second year in a row to decorate the Mansion’s Holiday Tree. We thank each of you for working within your communities to make this happen. We have received many of the ornaments and are taking photos and […]
VACo Recognizes Graduates of the Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program
From Left to Right – Laura Sellers, Stafford County | Meg Bohmke, Stafford County | Rick Blevins, Smyth County | James M. Griffith, Alleghany County | Dean A. Lynch, Virginia Association of Counties | Steve Wilkerson, Bedford County The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) and the Virginia Cooperative Extension recognized the 11th class of the […]
Visit Botetourt County and the Iron Mine Hollow Overlook
Iron Mine Hollow | Milepost 96.2 | Elevation: 2364 feet Long range views abound from this overlook into the valley below. This area was prospected and mined for iron ore. Many mines were in operation but limited transportation confined development. In 1892 the mines slowly began shutting down due to the rich easily worked ore […]
Counties Impacted by Revenue Limitations and Unfunded Mandates
Counties fiscally constrained amid rising service mandates States increasingly limit counties’ capacity to raise adequate revenue to fund their activities. At the same time, state and federal governments are imposing more mandates on counties, without providing adequate funding, new research from the National Association of Counties (NACo) shows. An analysis of interviews with state and […]