Visit Halifax County and the Halifax County Historic Courthouse
Photo Credit: courthouses.co Location: 8 South Main Street / Mountain RoadBuilt: 1838 – 1839Style: Classical RevivalArchitect: Dabney Cosby and Son, Dabney Cosby, Jr.Contractor: Dabney Cosby and Son, Dabney Cosby, Jr. Description: The building faces east and is a two story red colored brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of […]
JLARC Publishes Report on Virginia’s K-12 Teacher Pipeline
Virginia continues to suffer from a statewide teacher shortage. On September 12th, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) met to present several reports, one of which was a study of Virginia’s K-12 Teacher Pipeline. The study resolution directed JLARC to identify K-12 teacher workforce trends, evaluate factors contributing to the decline in teacher […]
Lancaster County, home to VACo President, hosts Region 2 Meeting
VACo staff traveled to the Northern Neck to conduct our seventh of eight regional meetings slated for 2023. VACo staff had the honor of traveling to Lancaster County, who graciously hosted the event, to meet with VACo Region 2 county leaders at the exciting Compass Entertainment Complex. VACo Region 2 encompasses the counties of Essex, […]
Behavioral Health Commission Discusses Key System Metrics, Budget Investments, and School-Based Behavioral Health Pilot Programs
Behavioral Health Commission members took stock of several aspects of the state’s behavioral health system at the Commission’s September 19 meeting, including updates to a set of data points previously designated by the Commission as key indicators for the crisis system; a new dashboard developed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) […]
JCOTS Receives Report on Best Practices for Addressing Ransomware
The Virginia Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) met on September 20th to review several items, including a staff report on best practices for addressing ransomware. Though an ever-present threat, ransomware attacks on local governments have been increasing since at least 2019. Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to […]
Office of Children’s Services Seeks Comment on Notices of Intent to Develop/Revise Policies
The State Executive Council approved the release of three Notices of Intent to Develop/Revise Policy at its September 14 meeting. This action is the first stage in the process and opens a period for public comment, which must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on October 30. Comments may be submitted through the Public Policy Comment […]
Joint Commission on Health Care Seeks Public Comment on Studies of Team-Based Care and Vertically Integrated Carriers and Providers
The Joint Commission on Health Care received briefings from its staff on two studies on September 20 and is seeking comments from the public. Comments must be submitted by close of business on Friday, October 6, and may be sent via email to jchcpubliccomments@jchc.virginia.gov or via U.S. Mail to 411 E. Franklin Street, Suite 505, […]
General Assembly Approves Revisions to Biennium Budget in September 6 Special Session
A lengthy process of revising the 2022-2024 biennium budget advanced one step closer to completion on September 6 with passage of HB 6001. This legislation, which was released on September 2, contains the full text of the agreement among budget conferees that was announced August 25. The procedural resolution setting out parameters for the special […]
Visit Greensville County and the Greensville County Historic Courthouse
PHOTO CREDIT: Virginia is for Lovers Location: 315 South Main Street / Hicksford AvenueBuilt: 1831 – 1834Style: Beaux ArtsArchitect: Daniel LynchContractor: Daniel Lynch Description: The building faces west and is a two story white colored Flemish bond brick structure. The building is located on the landscaped grounds of the Courthouse Square consisting of the courthouse […]
Laurel Hill: From Prison to Park
By Benjamin T. BoxerPublic Information Officer | Fairfax County Park Authority For the better part of a century, the grounds of the District of Columbia Correctional Facility in Lorton Virginia, one of the most beautiful parcels of land in Fairfax County, were restricted and, to an extent, hidden from public view. The 2,400-acre site was an oasis […]
JLARC reviewing Go Virginia – Report Due in December
The Virginia Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission (JLARC) is conducting the first comprehensive review of the GO Virginia program since its establishment. In 2016 the General Assembly adopted the Virginia Growth and Opportunity (GO Virginia) Act to provide state grants to incentivize regional collaboration to address economic challenges. The GO Virginia fund has received approximately […]
Smart Scale Proposed Changes Brief
The Virginia Secretary of Transportation directed the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment (OIPI) to conduct a full review of the SMART SCALE process in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). VACo was invited and will participate on the Technical Advisory Committee as part of […]
Virginia releases draft proposal to achieve universal broadband access with $1.48 billion in federally allocated funds – Comments due by September 19
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has released the BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 2 for a public comment window that will close on September 19, 2023. Volume 2 of the BEAD Initial Proposal, as required under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program’s Notice of Funding Opportunity and supplemental guidance (BEAD), includes critical […]
VRS Reports 6.1% Return for FY 2023
The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) recently reported a 6.1 percent return on its investment portfolio for the previous fiscal year, ending the year with approximately $105 billion in assets. The rate of return for the three-, five-, and 10-year periods exceeded benchmarks. The health and well-being of VRS is important to local governments as it […]
General Assembly Scheduled to Consider Budget Agreement on September 6
Budget negotiators announced on Friday, August 25, that an agreement on the major components of revisions to the biennium budget had been reached. The full text of the budget bill (HB 6001/SB 6001) was released on Saturday, September 2, with a special session scheduled to convene on Wednesday, September 6. VACo staff have been reviewing […]
The 2023 VACo County Officials’ Summit Considered One of the Best Ever
When the VACo County Officials’ Summit ended on August 17, many of the more than 200 local government officials and staff connected in conversation. One word was overheard often in these huddles. “Entertaining.” Indeed. When planning the event, the VACo team had an idea that the pairings of the following would not only enlighten our […]