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 […]
November 1 County Connections
Read the November 1 County Connections
82nd Annual Conference to feature discussion on historic Presidential Election
What will the Presidential Election mean to the Commonwealth and her Counties? Join the discussion with Dr. Quentin Kidd (pictured), Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Professor of Political Science, and Director of the Judy Ford Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University. Dr. Kidd will talk about federal, state and local election results […]
Annual Conference Update
It’s almost here! VACo’s 82nd Annual Conference is next week, and we hope you’re ready! Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Alumni Education Program Are you a graduate of the Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program? Or are you interested in the program? Last year VACo, Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension created an educational opportunity designed as […]
Governor’s Children’s Cabinet holds Stakeholders Meeting, releases Annual Report
The Governor’s Children’s Cabinet, which was created by Executive Order 21 in 2014, held a forum for stakeholders on October 24 in connection with the release of its annual report. The Children’s Cabinet is comprised of First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore, and Secretary of Public […]
Financial Facts
The IRS announced on October 27 that the limit on elective deferral for contributions to 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans and most 457 plans, as well as the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan remains at $18,000 for 2017 and the catch-up contribution limit for those 50 and older remains at $6,000. Amounts for many other retirement […]
Visit Wythe County and Shot Tower State Park
Overlooking the New River, Shot Tower was built more than 200 years ago to make ammunition for the firearms of the early settlers. Lead from the nearby Austinville Mines was melted in a kettle atop the 75-foot tower and poured through a sieve, falling through the tower and an additional 75-foot shaft beneath the tower […]
2016 Holidays at The Executive Mansion
The Executive Mansion contacted VACo this past summer requesting our assistance in asking counties to participate in the Executive Mansion Holiday Tree decorating for the second year in a row. Counties were quick to respond, saying they would reach out to local artists/artisans to create an ornament themed “Home for the Holidays.”
VACo to launch new website on November 3
VACo is proud to announce the launch of the new www.vaco.org on Thursday, November 3. The redesigned website was designed and developed by Whittington Consulting. VACo focused on enhancing navigation and mobile responsiveness while improving the website to be a foremost resource on everything related to county government. ON NOVEMBER 3 – CHECK OUT THE […]
Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the 21st Century Meets
The Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the 21st Century met on October 26 in Richmond, along with its four workgroups. While the Joint Subcommittee took no formal votes at the meeting, it discussed a number of potential proposals for the upcoming 2017 General Assembly session, as well as more complex items that […]
Go VA Board proposes regional boundaries tied to grant applications for economic development
On October 12, the Virginia Growth and Opportunity (Go VA) Board preliminarily approved nine regional boundaries (view map) to be utilized in awarding $30 million in grants starting in FY 2018. Comments on the proposed boundaries are due by 5 p.m. on November 18 to GoVirginia@dhcd.virginia.gov. The board is scheduled to take a final vote […]
Joe Lerch to serve on the Rural Planning Caucus Executive Committee
At their 38th annual meeting on October 20, members of the Rural Planning Caucus (RPC) of Virginia appointed VACo Director of Local Government Policy Joe Lerch to serve on their executive committee.
Governor proposes plan for addressing budget shortfall in current fiscal year
In the face of flagging state revenue collections announced in August, Virginia will need to make adjustments to its current two-year budget when the General Assembly convenes in January. Last week, Governor Terry McAuliffe laid out his plans to keep the current year (FY 2017) budget in balance in light of the revenue shortfall. The combined […]
Annual Conference Update
If you are attending VACo’s Annual Conference, here are some few helpful suggestions to make your time at The Omni Homestead run smoothly. UPON ARRIVAL Check-in time for your room is 4 p.m. Valet parking is included in the 15 percent daily charge that is automatically added to your room rate.
County officials meet with EPA Region 3 Administrator to discuss Bay Program
Fairfax County Supervisor Penny Gross (third from right), King George County Supervisor Ruby Brabo (center in red) and VACo’s Larry Land (far left) were among the state association and county leaders from states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed who met with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III Administrator Shawn Garvin at NACo headquarters to discuss […]
Visit Madison County and Page County and Big Meadows
Big Meadows is a recreational area of the Shenandoah National Park in Madison County and Page County. The meadow is located on the Skyline Drive at Milepost 51 and contains the park’s Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center, a lodge, camp store, and camping area. Several hiking trails can be accessed from Big Meadows, including the […]