VACo staff have been on the road this spring and summer visiting counties across the Commonwealth for its annual Regional Meetings. Regional Meetings allow local elected officials, county administrators and legislators an opportunity to discuss challenges and offer solutions. These meetings help steer VACo in the development of its legislative program. Below is a recap of the meetings held in May and June.
VACo Region 2 – York County
VACo held its Region 2 Meeting on May 27 in York County at the Freight Shed. VACo was pleased to be joined by Delegate Thornton, who highlighted legislation he sponsored last session and expressed appreciation for the chance to hear county priorities firsthand. Staff from Congressman Wittman’s office also attended the event.
Preserving local authority was a central theme, with counties continuing to emphasize support for local control over housing decisions, solar siting, and by-right development. Localities in the region discussed their opposition to unfunded mandates and the cost of collective bargaining requirements. Veterans’ tax exemptions drew significant attention given the scale of foregone revenue they represent for several counties, and counties also raised interest in vaping tax authority, excess clerks’ fees, and better reflecting the true cost of operating constitutional offices.
Fire and EMS remained a pressing concern, with several counties still relying on volunteer departments unable to afford a transition to paid staff. Housing affordability was widely discussed, particularly the challenge of keeping younger residents and workers in their home counties, along with calls for stronger incentives and tools to support development. Education priorities included support for the 1% sales tax option for school capital, workforce and career/technical education programs, and continued K-12 funding. Infrastructure needs, including broadband, water/wastewater capacity limiting land development, and the power/water demands of data centers were also raised. County leaders discussed the need for regional collaboration and the need to work together to shift the narrative around local governments being obstructionist.
VACo is grateful to the members, legislators, staff, and business partners who participated, and extends its appreciation to York County and staff at the Freight Shed for their hospitality.
VACo Regions 6 and 7 – Greene County
VACo held its Regions 6 and 7 Meeting on June 17 in Greene County at Guildford Farm. VACo was pleased to be joined by staff from the office of Delegate Karen Hamilton.
Opposition to a collective bargaining mandate was a dominant theme, with counties stressing that any such requirement should remain subject to the budgetary discretion of local Boards of Supervisors. Members highlighted concerns about the bonuses for state-supported local employees (such as employees of Constitutional offices and staff in local departments of social services) that were included in the state’s caboose budget enacted earlier this year; because the state funding only covers positions recognized by the state, counties have had to decide whether to use local dollars to provide comparable bonuses to locally funded employees to maintain internal pay equity.
Preserving local land use authority was another shared priority, with counties emphasizing that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work across the Commonwealth. Several localities voiced their support for impact fees regarding residential development and rezoning.
Transportation and infrastructure needs were widely discussed, including secondary road funding and the widening of I-81. Water infrastructure was also a significant concern, with counties raising concerns over PFAS contamination and the need to test biosolids, as well as the financial strain of rising private water/wastewater and energy rates. Fire, EMS, and mental health support remained pressing issues. Other priorities included school funding and veterans’ tax exemptions straining local budgets.
VACo is grateful to the members, legislators, staff, and business partners who participated, and extends its appreciation to Greene County and staff at Guildford Farm for their hospitality.
New Kent County Hosts VACo Region 1 Meeting at Colonial Downs
VACo held its Region 1 Meeting on June 22 in New Kent County. VACo was pleased to be joined by representatives from the offices of State Senator Aird and Congresswoman McClellan.
Preserving local land use authority was a top priority region-wide, with counties opposing state-imposed growth targets and pushing to retain local control over zoning. Local authority particularly for data centers, utility scale solar, and battery storage was specifically mentioned. Counties also raised concerns over the cost of collective bargaining mandates and unfunded mandates more broadly, favoring incentive-based approaches over penalties on issues like housing.
Infrastructure needs including water, sewer, broadband were discussed as were many varying transportation needs. Counties also pointed to regional partnerships like the Central Virginia Transportation Authority as valuable tools for tackling transportation needs collectively. Housing and workforce challenges were widely discussed, including out-of-state salary competition drawing workers away from the region and the need for more housing and childcare support. Education funding and local taxing authority remained top concerns, along with support for the space industry and Wallops Island, farmland preservation, and tourism and economic development.
VACo is grateful to the members, legislators, staff, and business partners who participated, and extends its appreciation to New Kent County and staff at Colonial Downs for their hospitality.
VACo Contact: James Hutzler