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 […]
JLARC issues update on state spending
On October 11 the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) issued its report on state spending between FY 2007 and FY 2016. JLARC’s report is available at this link: http://jlarc.virginia.gov/state-spending2016.asp. According to the report, Virginia’s operating budget grew from $35.1 billion in FY 2007 to $49.5 billion in FY 2016. Adjusted for population growth […]
JLARC presents report on water resources planning
On October 11 the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission authorized the publication of a report entitled “Effectiveness of Virginia’s Water Resource Planning and Management.” The report, requested by the 2015 General Assembly under HJR 623 (Hodges), is available at this link: http://jlarc.virginia.gov/landing-water.asp.
VACo releases 2017 Preliminary Legislative Program
VACo has released its 2017 Preliminary Legislative Program, which was drafted through VACo’s steering committee process. The document includes a host of important and timely proposed policy statements including language pertaining to K-12 education funding, local taxing authority, stormwater regulations, land use planning, transportation, broadband, health and human resources and other local budget and legislative […]
Free Webinar – Want to save time on your investments?
Check out this free Webinar on October 26 at 11am from eConnectDirect® Click here to register for the free Webinar on fixed-income investments eConnectDirect®, a proprietary investment platform powered by Multi-Bank Securities, Inc. (MBS), is designed to help you maximize your investment portfolio efficiently. The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) and MBS invite you to join us […]
2017 Finance Forum
Local Government Policy Council Meets with Governor McAuliffe
Pictured: Governor Terry McAuliffe addresses the Joint Money Committees on August 26 The Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Municipal League and Virginia First Cities met with Governor Terry McAuliffe and his staff on September 29 to discuss key issues of importance to local government in the upcoming General Assembly session, beginning with an update […]