Congress Enacts Fourth Coronavirus Relief Package
Congress passed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, the fourth relief measure aimed at combatting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, on April 23 and the President signed it into law on April 24. Although discussions earlier in the week had indicated that additional aid to states and localities, or additional flexibility […]
Visit Botetourt County virtually and take a walking tour of historic Fincastle
Historic Fincastle boasts with southern charm and is deeply routed in historical significance. Fincastle is a designated Lewis and Clark community, having ties to both Meriwether Lewis and William Clark prior to and after their western expedition. Fincastle was named the county seat in 1772, when the original borders of Botetourt County stretched to the […]
Virginia Resources Authority works with Rockingham County to produce positive financial outcome
Rendering of Rockingham County’s future emergency response station at 2654 Port Republic Road Virginia Resources Authority (VRA) wants to first thank all local government public servants, including first responders, for their tireless work in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Commonwealth’s municipal bond bank, VRA shares the same public service motivation, which is more […]
Clarke County Supervisor Mary Daniel resigns to become Judge; Board will appoint replacement to serve until November elections
A recent Clarke County Board of Supervisors meeting concluded with gifts and expressions of gratitude for Berryville District representative Mary L.C. Daniel, who officially left the Board on May 1 in order to begin her new career as General District Court Judge for the 26th Judicial District. The Virginia General Assembly appointed her in March, […]
Allocation of Federal Transit Assistance funding under CARES Act approved by Commonwealth Transportation Board
On April 21, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) held an emergency meeting to allocate federal funding for transit programs from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Under the CARES Act, the Federal Transit Administration is allocating $25 billion in support of public transit to recipients of urbanized area and rural area formula […]
State Emergency Management Coordinator Holds Town Hall with VACo Members
VACo members participated in a telephone town hall on April 23 on Virginia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic with State Coordinator of Emergency Management Dr. Jeffrey Stern and several state experts, who provided updates on efforts to supplement the health care workforce, develop models for the spread of the virus, ensure the needs of vulnerable […]
An Update on Federal Funding for Rural Health Care Providers
On May 4, VACo staff participated in a conference call with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan regarding HHS’s recent distribution of payments to rural healthcare providers as allocated by from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The purpose of this funding is to address both […]
K-12 Allocations to Local Schools Divisions under the CARES Act
Passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has provided Virginia with approximately $238.6 million in federal funding to address the impact of COVID-19 on Virginia’s K-12 system. This funding comes from the $13.2 billion Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. Of Virginia’s funding through the Fund, 90 percent will be […]
Department of the Treasury Releases Guidance on Use of Coronavirus Relief Fund
The Department of the Treasury released a guidance document for state, territorial, local, and tribal governments on April 22 outlining allowable uses of the Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars provided through the CARES Act. The requirements included in the statutory language of the CARES Act regarding use of the funds are relatively general and merely stipulate […]
Commonwealth Connect Team Releases Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Map and other Broadband Resources Help Virginians Stay Connected during COVID-19 Response
Commonwealth Connect has recently released an interactive map of Public Wi-Fi hotspots to help those without access to broadband find locations where free Wi-Fi is available. As schools remain closed, certain businesses face restrictions, and individuals practice social distancing, connections to broadband are more important than ever to allow for continued learning, commerce, and connections […]
VSAE Installs New Board for 2020-2021
Top Economic Development, Business and Philanthropic Executives to Lead Back to Work Virginia Task Force
The Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) has assembled a blue-ribbon task force to develop an assertive strategic plan with recommendations for structural shifts and improved policies and practices to stabilize and strengthen Virginia’s child care industry – considered essential personnel per COVID-19 directives – as the Commonwealth gets back to work and rebuilds its economy. […]
Financial Facts
GASB has issued a standard that improves state and local governments’ accounting for public-private and public-public partnership arrangements (P3s) and availability payment arrangements (APAs). The guidance is included in GASB Statement 94. The standard provides guidance for P3 arrangements including those outside the scope of GASB’s Statements 60 and 87. Under Statement 94, […]
State Homeland Security Grant Program Application Deadline is May 22
Applications for the State Homeland Security Grant Program are due to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) May 22. This program may be a potential source of assistance to localities in enhancing election security in accordance with the standards developed by the State Board of Elections last year. According to VDEM, four areas have […]
Become a Certified Supervisor!
The Virginia Association of Counties, in partnership with Virginia Tech, offers the Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program: an opportunity for county supervisors to learn how to more effectively and efficiently lead in their communities. Since its inception in 2005, 70 supervisors representing more than 40 counties have completed this training program, earning credentials as a […]
Senate Page “LOVE” Sign Teambuilding Exercise
For this activity, the Page class created a LOVE sign representative of Capitol Square and Virginia’s legislative process. In each of the five assigned groups, classmates were tasked with decorating one letter depicting Capitol Square or the legislative process. Each team had a set amount of materials to decorate their assigned part of the sign. […]