I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan Updates
Members of the I-81 Advisory Committee from across the Commonwealth gathered in Lexington on October 2 to discuss the status of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan. The role of the Committee is to advise or make any recommendations to the Commonwealth Transportation Board regarding the Plan. The meeting was positive in that updates to Interstate-81, and […]
Behavioral Health Commission Advances Recommendations on STEP-VA Implementation
The Behavioral Health Commission received a briefing by Commission staff at its October 17 meeting and approved a series of recommendations intended to improve oversight and enhance the implementation of STEP-VA, an initiative first enacted in 2017 to standardize an array of core services to be offered by all Community Services Boards (CSBs). The nine […]
Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Sets FY 2025-2026 Employer Contribution Rates for Teacher Plans
On October 19, the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Board of Trustees met to review actuarial results for five statewide Retirement Plans (State Employees, Teachers, JRS, SPORS, and VaLORS) and the associated other post-employment benefits (OPEBs). Most relevant for county governments, employer contribution rates for the Teacher plan are expected to be reduced during the coming […]
Joint Commission on Health Care Discusses Obesity and Eating Disorders, Prescription Drug Affordability, Plans for 2024
In addition to receiving several staff briefings on issues covered in its 2023 workplan, the Joint Commission on Health Care began to develop its study plan for 2024 at its October 18 meeting, approving several studies in concept in advance of reviewing formal study resolutions at a future meeting. Obesity and eating disorders prevention and […]
School Construction Standards Workgroup Holds Inaugural Meeting
On October 4, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) convened a stakeholder workgroup tasked with evaluating standards for the maintenance and operations, renovations, and new construction of public and elementary school buildings. As previously reported, this effort stems from legislation from the 2023 General Assembly session. SB 1124, which was a recommendation of the Commission […]
VACo Welcomes Sue Klaczynski
RICHMOND (October 6, 2023)—The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) is pleased to announce the addition of Sue Klaczynski as Finance Manager. Klaczynski joined VACo on October 2. “I’m excited to be a part of VACo, an organization that advocates for Virginia’s counties,” Klaczynski said. “I’m very much community-minded so I can’t wait to meet our […]
Visit Hanover County and the Hanover County Historic Courthouse
The Historic Hanover Courthouse is the third-longest continuous-use courthouse in the United States, after only the King William County Courthouse (1725) in neighboring King William County, and the Old Salem County Courthouse (1735) in New Jersey. Hanover County, Virginia was founded on November 20, 1720. The county’s first courthouse was located on the plantation of […]
VACo’s Jeremy Bennett returns to Colgate University to speak about local government careers
Jeremy Bennett recently spoke as part of an alumni panel about the breadth of opportunities and roles available in common good and law-related careers. Jeremy graduated from Colgate University in 2009, and is currently VACo’s Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. Jeremy’s panel discussion was one of many during Colgate University’s 2023 Career Exploration Week. Great job […]
Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education Meets to Discuss Priorities and Looming Fiscal Cliff
On September 28, the Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) met to develop a shared understanding of the relationship between Virginia’s priorities and must-haves, systems costs, and anticipated return on investment. This included a review of priorities/must-haves that have emerged in July and August meetings, return from Virginia’s investment in ECCE, and potential […]
Decisions Ahead for Virginia’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Program
According to a recent report by the Department of Social Services, Virginia’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) block grant is projected to be fully obligated in FY 2025, with current funding obligations resulting in a deficit. In addition to the cash assistance paid to families in poverty, Virginia has used discretionary TANF funding to […]
2023 Catalog of State and Federal Mandates on Local Governments Now Available
The Commission on Local Government has officially approved and published the much-anticipated 2023 edition of the Catalog of State and Federal Mandates on Local Governments. This resource is a result of collaborative efforts among various agencies. The Commission’s approval of the 2023 version took place on September 8, 2023, in accordance with the Code of […]
Virginia Department of Health Workgroup Considers Local Health Departments’ Structure and Financing
In 2022, the Joint Commission on Health Care conducted a study on local health department structure and financing. This study followed several recent legislative actions regarding local health departments, including the elimination of the requirement that a local health department director be a licensed physician; authorization for several localities to administer their health departments locally […]
Webinar on How to Use A Local Government Guide to the Chesapeake Bay – Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s Local Leadership Workgroup (LLWG) will be hosting a webinar titled, “How to Use A local Government Guide to the Chesapeake Bay,” on October 11 from 12pm -2pm. This webinar is a resources training session designed exclusively for local officials and staff working closely with local governments. These resources were […]
Final Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) & Resilient Virginia Revolving Fund (RVRF) Manuals Released & Rounds Open Due November 12 (CFPF) and December 12 (RVRF)
On September 13th, 2023 the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) released the final grant and loan manuals for the Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) and the Resilient Virginia Revolving Fund (RVRF). These funds are intended to help Virginians statewide build resilience and protection against flooding, communities through previous rounds of the CFPF. You can […]
Virginia Commission on Youth Seeks Public Comment on Improvements to Foster Care System and Process for Admission of Minors for Inpatient Mental Health Treatment
The Virginia Commission on Youth met on September 19 to discuss two studies conducted by staff at the Commission’s direction. The Commission is seeking public comment on the draft recommendations for both studies. Public comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 13, 2023, and should be sent via email to aatkinson@vcoy.virginia.gov. Admission of […]
State General Fund Revenues on Track in First Two Months of FY 2024
Secretary of Finance Stephen E. Cummings reported positive news on state General Fund revenue collections in the first two months of FY 2024 in his presentation to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee on September 19, although he continued to advise caution in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty. General Fund revenues are up by […]