PUBLIC SAFETY PHOTO SPEED MONITORING DEVICES
The Virginia Legislature enacted HB 1442 (Jones) during the 2020 General Assembly, authorizing state and local law-enforcement agencies to operate photo speed monitoring devices in or around school crossing zones and highway work zones, which are often dangerous areas for both pedestrians and drivers. VACo has joined with Conduent, a new Premier Partner. Conduent is […]
VACo Releases 2021 Legislative Program
After months of steering committee meetings, lively debate and participation through the Association’s legislative process, VACo adopted its 2021 Legislative Program. The Legislative Program is organized according to VACo’s Steering Committees. VACo’s 2021 Legislative Program addresses priorities in the realms of Economic Development and Planning, Education, Environment and Agriculture, Finance, General Government, Health and Human […]
Special Session Budget Finalized; Preparations for 2021 Budget Cycle Underway
Governor Northam approved the revised biennium budget this week, completing the final piece of legislative business from the 2020 Special Session. The Governor had proposed ten amendments to the budget conference report passed by the legislature on October 16. The legislature considered these amendments on November 9. Of particular interest to local governments, the Governor […]
Visit Tazewell County and the Pocahontas Exhibition Mine
The Pocahontas Exhibition Mine is the only of its kind in Virginia. Located in the town of Pocahontas in Tazewell County, the mine takes visitors underground to see how coal was produced in the 19th century. The 13-foot coal seam was first mined in 1882 and an operation remained there for 73 years. Pocahontas coal […]
VACo Recognizes Graduates of the Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program
VACo 2020 Annual Conference Recap
COUNTIES CHARTING A NEW COURSE It was indeed an exceptional Annual Conference. Thank you attendees, exhibitors, partners, sponsors, legislators and speakers for making the few days we were together memorable. We hope your Annual Conference experience will benefit your community and make Virginia and her Counties stronger. We look forward to seeing you again soon […]
JLARC Releases Report on Children’s Services Act
Members of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) were briefed by Commission staff on November 9 on the results of an extensive review of the Children’s Services Act (CSA) approved in 2019. JLARC staff were directed to review the administration of CSA, with a particular focus on private special education services, as well […]
Commonwealth Transportation Board Invites Public Comment on draft FY 2021-2026 Six Year Improvement Program
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) is inviting public comment for a virtual meeting on November 24 at 9 a.m. to review the draft FY 2021-2026 Six Year Improvement Program (SYIP). The Six-Year Plan includes funding for public transportation facilities, commuter and public transportation programs, and all interstate and primary highway projects that are being studied, […]
Mental Health Study Group Receives Updates on Impact of COVID-19, Other Issues Affecting Behavioral Health System
The Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century met electronically on November 16 to take stock of the effects of the pandemic on the state’s behavioral health system and to plan for possible legislative and budget initiatives for the upcoming 2021 legislative session, as well as to discuss […]
Virginia Board of Education Approves 2020 Annual Report on the Condition and Needs of Public Schools in Virginia
As part of their November 19 business meeting, the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE) approved the 2020 Annual Report on the Condition and Needs of Public Schools in Virginia. The draft report notes the disruptive impacts of COVID-19 on public education in the Commonwealth and the challenges facing local school divisions as they continue to […]
Body-Worn Camera Workgroup Receives Updates on Data Collection, New Grant Program
The workgroup examining issues surrounding the effect of body-worn cameras of the public safety and judicial systems met on November 13. This workgroup, chaired by Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran, is an extended and expanded version of an initial study group convened by the Compensation Board in 2018 to review the […]
COVID-19 Municipal Utility Relief Program: Applications Due by November 30, 2020
Virginia has allocated additional federal Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) available pursuant to the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) for the purpose of allowing municipal utilities providing electric, gas, water and wastewater services to set up local utility relief programs for their customers impacted by COVID-19. Counties and cities, in partnership […]
FIOA News and Updates
Freedom of Information Act Training and News Over 140 people registered for FOIA training hosted by VACo and held on November 16. A new law that went into effect on July 1, 2020 requires certain local officials to take specific FOIA training every two years. Alan Gernhardt, Executive Director of the Virginia Freedom of Information […]
Supervisors’ Certification Graduates Hold Reunion
On October 23, graduates and current students joined VACo President Steve Bowen and instructors Mike Chandler and Martha Walker for the Certified Supervisors’ Program Virtual Class Reunion. It was a walk down memory lane together, with alumni from the first graduating class in 2006 up to the class of 2020! Seven graduating classes were represented […]
VACo Premier Partner – The Supply Room
VACo Associate Member – Positron Access Solutions
Montgomery County, MD and Main Street Connect Launch Initiative Aimed at Closing the Digital Divide Montgomery County, MD and a non-profit called Main Street Connect have announced a joint initiative that will offer low-income and special needs residents of the newly opened Main Street Apartments in the city of Rockville access to free, high-speed home internet. Founded […]