Virginia Association of Counties

Virginia Association of Counties
Name	Virginia Association of Counties
Abbreviation	VACo
Formation	1934
Headquarters	Richmond, Virginia
Region served	Commonwealth of Virginia
Membership	County governments of Virginia

Virginia Association of Counties

The Virginia Association of Counties is a statewide membership organization representing the elected leaders and professional staff of county-level institutions across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Founded during the interwar period, the association serves as a central locus for coordination among county officials, providing resources, advocacy, and professional development to support county operations across urban, suburban, and rural jurisdictions such as Fairfax County, Virginia, Henrico County, Virginia, Prince William County, Virginia, Loudoun County, Virginia, and Virginia Beach. The association interacts with federal entities like the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, regional bodies such as the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, and state institutions including the Virginia General Assembly and the Governor of Virginia.

History

The association was established in 1934 amid the administrative reforms of the Great Depression era and the expansion of state-local relations epitomized by programs of the New Deal. Early decades saw collaboration with the National Association of Counties and engagement with state legislative initiatives such as the Byrd Organization-era policies and post-World War II infrastructure programs influenced by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956. In the late 20th century VACo addressed issues tied to suburbanization exemplified by demographic shifts in Alexandria, Virginia and Chesapeake, Virginia, while in the 21st century the association confronted matters related to regional growth, environmental regulation involving the Chesapeake Bay Program, and public health crises including responses coordinated with the Virginia Department of Health.

Organization and Membership

Membership consists of elected officials and appointed staff from Virginia's counties, including independent cities with cooperative arrangements analogous to members from Norfolk, Virginia and Richmond, Virginia when collaborating on shared services. The association maintains relationships with partner organizations such as the Virginia Municipal League, Virginia Association of Counties Education Services, and national groups like the National Association of Counties and the International City/County Management Association. County supervisors, treasurers, commissioners of revenue, and county administrators from localities ranging from Scott County, Virginia to Arlington County, Virginia participate in regional caucuses and policy committees.

Governance and Leadership

VACo is governed by a board composed of county elected officials representing geographic districts across the Commonwealth, including chairs and vice-chairs drawn from jurisdictions like Stafford County, Virginia and Henrico County, Virginia. Leadership interacts with state executives such as the Attorney General of Virginia and legislative leaders in the Virginia Senate and the Virginia House of Delegates to shape statutory frameworks affecting counties. Senior staff include an executive director and policy directors who liaise with entities such as the Virginia Association of Counties Finance Officers Association and the Virginia Local Government Attorneys Association.

Functions and Services

The association provides policy analysis, technical assistance, and model ordinances used by counties confronting challenges in land-use matters referenced in cases like James City County, Virginia zoning disputes, public safety coordination with agencies such as the Virginia State Police, and infrastructure planning tied to the Virginia Department of Transportation. VACo issues publications and research utilized by county managers and auditors engaging with standards from the Government Finance Officers Association and accounting benchmarks associated with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. Services include legal research, intergovernmental coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on environmental compliance, and data-driven support for economic development initiatives related to regional entities like the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.

Advocacy and Policy Positions

VACo advocates before the Virginia General Assembly and federal delegations from districts represented by members of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia on matters including taxation, revenue-sharing, and unfunded mandates tied to legislation such as state budget bills and amendments influenced by court decisions in Supreme Court of Virginia jurisprudence. Policy positions have addressed school funding intertwined with the Virginia Department of Education, public safety grant allocations from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and regional transportation funding mechanisms involving the Commonwealth Transportation Board and metropolitan planning organizations like the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization.

Programs and Training

The association conducts conferences, seminars, and certification programs for county officials in partnership with academic institutions such as Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, and George Mason University. Training covers topics including emergency management coordination with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, land-use law in consultation with the Virginia Bar Association, and public procurement aligned with standards promoted by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing. Annual conferences draw participants from jurisdictions like Prince Edward County, Virginia and Spotsylvania County, Virginia and feature speakers from federal agencies, state executives, and national associations.

Funding and Financial Structure

VACo’s budget is funded through membership dues, conference fees, training revenues, and designated grants from foundations and federal programs such as Community Development Block Grants administered via the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Financial oversight adheres to best practices from the Government Finance Officers Association and internal audit procedures similar to county audit offices in localities like Fairfax County, Virginia and Roanoke County, Virginia. The association’s fiscal decisions are reviewed by a finance committee comprising county treasurers and budget officers who coordinate with state auditors and external accountants.

Category:Organizations based in Virginia Category:Local government in Virginia