County Government Day Brings Leaders Together in Advocacy
More than 200 county elected officials and staff from all over the Commonwealth convened in Richmond on January 23 to advocate on behalf of their communities. With VACo President Ruth Larson presiding – attendees received a welcome from City of Richmond Mayor Dr. Danny Avula; a session on protecting local authority with Loudoun County Vice […]
Taylor Harvie’s Service Celebrated at Retirement Gathering
On Wednesday, December 18, current and retired Administrators from Southside gathered to celebrate the career of longtime Amelia County Administrator Taylor Harvie. Mr. Harvie served as Amelia County Administrator from February 1, 2012 until his retirement on August 2, 2024. He also served as a member of the Amelia County Board of Supervisors from 1992 […]
VACo Mourns the Passing of William M. McCarty, Sr.
He had a voice that could soothe you. And a handshake that could crush you. He had a devotion to his faith that could lift you. And a stature that could protect you. William M. McCarty, Sr. will be remembered by VACo in a variety of ways because he was a man of many wonderful […]
Fairfax County Announces Passing of Former Mount Vernon District Supervisor and VACo President
It is with deep sadness that Fairfax County announces the passing of former Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland, who died peacefully on Sunday morning, January 19. Hyland was a beloved community member who served for more than three decades as a dedicated advocate and visionary leader. He was well known for his puns, sharp […]
Visit Pulaski County and the Pulaski County Historic Courthouse
PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Pulice/2010 Location: 52 West Main Street / Washington Avenue Built: 1895 – 1896 Style: Richardsonian Romanesque Architect: W Chamberlin & Company of Knoxville, Tennessee Contractor: Miller & Warden of Pulaski Description: The building faces south and is a two story stone structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center […]
ACTION ITEM: Oppose Bills Mandating Collective Bargaining and Other Employment Terms for Transportation Services
SB 919 (Salim) / HB 2619 (Helmer) have passed their respective committees and could be heard this week. Both bills are unfunded mandates that infringe on local authority. ACTION REQUIRED – Contact the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee and the House Labor and Commerce Committee to oppose. The bills would require the governing body of any county that […]
ACTION ITEM: Oppose Speed Camera Bills that Preempt Local Authority
There are two problematic transportation bills advancing through the General Assembly – both would preempt local authority in the application of speed cameras and divert funding from localities to the state. SB 1209 (Obenshain), as substituted, states that all civil penalties collected for the purposes of recording vehicle speed violations shall be paid to the […]
Capitol Contact ALERT! Contact Your Legislators to Oppose Speed Camera Bills that Preempt Local Authority
There are two problematic transportation bills advancing through the General Assembly – both would preempt local authority in the application of speed cameras and divert funding from localities to the state. ACTION REQUIRED – Please contact your legislators today to oppose SB 1209 and HB 2041. SB 1209 (Obenshain), as substituted, states that all civil […]
VACo Supports School Construction Financing Bill
On January 15, VACo testified in support of SB 1307 (McPike), legislation that once again seeks to grant additional revenue raising authority if approved by local referendum for school capital needs. Funding for school construction and renovation is one of the biggest concerns and responsibilities of local governments in the Commonwealth and has been almost […]
FOIA, COIA, Public Notice Bills Update
Freedom of Information bills HB 2152 (Carr) provides that any legal counsel for a public body who is also designated as the public body’s FOIA officer shall complete a training session or online course offered or approved by the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council. Current law provides that FOIA officers must be trained on a […]
Speed Camera Bill That Would Redirect Funds from Locality to State
HB 2401 (Seibold) would authorize the governing body of any county, city, or town to provide, by ordinance, for the placement and operation of a speed safety camera by the law-enforcement agency of such locality for the purposes of recording vehicle speed violations on any highway in such locality as long as: The highways speed limit is 45 […]
Bill that Negatively Affects Water Quality Improvement Grants Fails in Subcommittee
HB 2247 (Runion) states that the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is only required to enter into water quality improvement grant agreements with publicly owned wastewater treatment plants that apply for such grants if sufficient and unobligated funds are available in the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Fund at the time the Director enters into […]
Bill to Make Multi-Family Residential a “By-Right” Use in Commercial Districts Fails
SB 839 (Van Valkenburg) failed to pass in the Senate Local Government Committee by a vote of 5-7-3 on January 20. The legislation requires all local zoning ordinances to allow for the development and construction of multifamily residential uses on all land contained in commercial or business zoning district classifications. The legislation also specifies that […]
ACTION ITEM: Oppose School Board Binding Arbitration Bill
On January 20, VACo testified in opposition to SB 1033 (Pekarsky), which permits any school board to enter into a written agreement to submit any existing controversy to binding arbitration and to execute a contract, including a collective bargaining agreement, that contains a provision to submit to binding arbitration any controversy arising thereunder. This bill […]
VACo Helps Defeat Workers’ Compensation Unfunded Mandate Bill
On January 16, VACo testified in opposition to HB 1851 (Arnold), which would have expanded the workers’ compensation presumption of compensability for certain cancers causing the death or disability of certain employees who have completed five years of service in their position to include sheriffs or deputy sheriffs. Though not opposed to the policy intent […]
ACTION ITEM: Oppose legislation to require closure of juvenile detention centers
SB 1432 (Marsden) requires the closure and consolidation of seven juvenile detention centers by January 1, 2026. VACo opposes this legislation. Throughout several workgroups reviewing this issue, VACo has maintained its position that any decisions regarding consolidation should be made by the affected local governments so that the full spectrum of community needs can be […]