VACo Releases Its 2024 Preliminary Legislative Program
VACo has released its 2024 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 […]
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS HONOR PHYLLIS A. ERRICO WITH 2023 FINNEGAN WHITING AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
The Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, Inc. (LGA) awarded its highest honor, the Edward J. Finnegan Elizabeth D. Whiting Award for Distinguished Service, to Phyllis A. Errico, General Counsel, Virginia Association of Counties, at its recently concluded fall conference in Reston, Virginia. The Finnegan Whiting Award recognizes Phyllis Errico for her significant and sustained contributions […]
Visit Henrico County and the Henrico County Historic Courthouse
Location: 2125 East Main Street / 22nd StreetBuilt: 1896 – 1897Style: RomanesqueArchitect: Carl RuehrmundContractor: William Trexler and Richard E Elmore Description: The building faces east and is a three story red colored brick and stone structure. The southeast corner has a large square tower rising to a steep green colored roof with dormers. On the […]
VACo concludes Regional Meeting Season with robust legislative discussions in Chesterfield County
VACo held its last regional meetings for 2023 on September 19, at the recently opened Beulah Recreation Center in Chesterfield County. VACo staff had the honor of traveling to Chesterfield County, who graciously hosted the event, to meet with local elected officials and staff from Region 3 and Region 5. Region 3 encompasses the counties […]
State Revenues on Track as Money Committees Discuss Tax Policy, Medicaid Redetermination, Foster Care, and More
The “money committees” received positive news about state revenues this week in their first meetings in the newly-renovated General Assembly building, which opened to the public on October 11. In his briefing on state revenues, Secretary of Finance Stephen E. Cummings reported that state General Fund revenues are 6.6 percent, or approximately $412.1 million, ahead […]
JLARC Publishes Report on Enhanced Retirement Benefits for Public Safety Occupations
On October 16, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) met to present several reports, one of which was an overview of eligibility of public safety occupations for enhanced retirement benefits. The report examined the responsibilities of various public safety occupations as well as the estimated costs to state and local governments of providing […]
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 […]