Visit Highland County and the LOVEworks Sign
The LOVE letters in Highland County celebrate the rural landscape and heritage of this scenic community. In recognition of the many barn quilts located throughout the county, the LOVE letters used traditional quilt block patterns to highlight the many special features in Highland. L uses Maple Block to celebrate our maple products and popular festival […]
Introducing a new Associate Member – BioIQ
Revitalization of historic school breathes new life into Carroll County
A shuttered, historic Carroll County high school known for being the first in the nation to offer vocational and agricultural classes, is being transformed into a vibrant, affordable housing community. Scheduled to be completed in mid-2021, the rehabilitation project will feature 51 affordable one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments complete with a park, walking trails and […]
Longnaker Elected to VACo/VML Virginia Investment Pool Board
DOLI Standards Update
Following publication on July 27 in the Richmond Times Dispatch, the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) temporary standard with the intent of preventing the spread of COVID-19 is now in effect until January 27, 2021. This standard was developed following four separate day-long emergency electronic meetings by the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board and applies […]
Workgroup Examining Responsibility for Mental Health Evaluations Begins Work
A stakeholder workgroup directed by the General Assembly to examine and potentially reform the current process for conducting evaluations of individuals who are experiencing mental health crises to determine whether they meet the criteria for temporary detention held its first meeting on July 16. The genesis of this effort was a broader workgroup, also directed […]
Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) Asks for Local Government Participation in Ransomware Study
In view of many ransomware attacks on state and local governments, the Virginia General Assembly directed the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) to study the Commonwealth’s ransomware attack preparedness and to report back by the start of the 2021 General Assembly Session. Among other provisions, the enacted resolution provides that all agencies of the Commonwealth shall […]
Stakeholder Group Begins Discussions on Potential Reforms to Cigarette Tax Stamping Process
The Department of Taxation began initial discussions with stakeholders in late July on potential reforms to the administration of the local cigarette tax, in accordance with an enactment clause included in legislation that passed in 2020 providing additional taxing authority to counties, including the authority to levy a cigarette tax at a rate not to […]
Mental Health Commission Plots Course for 2020
The Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century met August 5 to review progress on previous initiatives and plan for the Joint Subcommittee’s work for the remainder of 2020. Several bills generated by the Commission’s work in 2019 were enacted in the 2020 session, including legislation to improve […]
Supervisors’ Certification course gets a virtual makeover
Fourteen supervisors from 11 Virginia counties met virtually in the morning on May 29 for the closing session of the “Good Governance: The Role of Leadership” course in the Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program. The instructor, Mike Chandler, Ph.D., led the students through rich discussions over the course of eight weeks of the role of […]
Botetourt County Chairman Attends Event at the White House
Washington D.C. – On July 16, Board of Supervisors Chairman Billy Martin was at the White House for the Presidential presentation on rolling back regulations. Martin was invited to attend this White House event by President Trump through the VA Association of Counties (VACo). Martin serves as the Regional Director of VACo where he is […]
NACo Cybersecurity Collaborative
NACo Leadership Academy
NACo Leadership Academy Registration
Virginia first state nationally to create workplace regulations for COVID-19
After four separate day-long emergency electronic meetings, the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board adopted on July 15 regulations and standards that employers (including Virginia Counties) must adhere to when addressing worker safety for COVID-19. The Northam administration (per E.O. 63) directed the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry “Workers should not have to sacrifice […]
Difficult Decisions Loom as Local School Boards Consider School Reopening Plans in Wake of Updated Guidance
On July 6, 2020, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) announced updated guidance for the phased reopening of Virginia’s K-12 schools for the 2020-2021 school year. This follows the June 9 release of initial VDOE guidelines and an announcement made on June 25 by Governor Ralph Northam’s Chief of Staff, Clark Mercer, during the Governor’s […]