eNews – March 14, 2025
Essay contest deadline extended to March 24, What does the national economy mean for local government budgets...and more!
Friday, March 14, 2025/Categories: eNews
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Deadline extended to March 24!
In this issue:
VML News
Budget
Opportunities
VML News
Federal ARPA funds at-risk for more than 22 Virginia localities – Immediate responses are needed!
Recently the U.S. Department of the Treasury notified VML that as of December 31, 2024, 22 Virginia locality had failed to submit federally-required reporting data related to the use of federal pandemic relief funds.
Failure to report this information to the federal government as soon as possible likely puts your city or town at serious risk of having to return federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that was provided during the pandemic.
Collectively, these 22 cities and towns may have to return more than $24 million to the federal government – with repayments ranging from $29,000 to more than $8.2 million – if the required data is not submitted promptly.
VML recently reached out to these localities alerting them to the reporting requirements. If you have any questions whether your locality is on the list of the 22 affected communities, please reach out to Rob Bullington who attempted to contact these localities last week.
VML Contact: Rob Bullington, rbullington@vml.org
Deadline to submit entries for “If I Were Mayor” essay contest extended to March 24
The Virginia Municipal League (VML) invites all eligible Virginia 7th and 8th Graders to participate in its “If I were Mayor” essay contest.
Regional winners selected from around the state will each receive a $150 gift card and a plaque. One statewide winner chosen from the regional winners will receive a $250 gift card and a plaque. The runner-up from the region that receives the statewide award will become that region’s winner.
Winning essays will be featured in the May/June issue of VML’s magazine Virginia Town & City.
Learn more about the contest and how to submit entries here >.
VML Contact: Manuel Timbreza, mtimbreza@vml.org
VML/VRSA learning session in South Boston on April 23 to cover General Assembly and more!
Join VML and VRSA for this FREE event featuring conversations for local governments – from the smallest to the largest.
Topics will include:
- 2025 General Assembly Update
- Marijuana in the Workplace
- Cybersecurity
- …and more!
Breakfast and lunch will be provided
REGISTRATION: Register by emailing Jackie Stauffer from VRSA at jstauffer@vrsa.us.
DATE/TIME/LOCATION:
- April 23, 2025
- 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- South Boston Town Hall (420 Main Street, 24592)
VML Contact: Rob Bullington, rbullington@vml.org
Budget
What does the increasingly shaky national economy portend for the state budget?
Just days before last November’s presidential election, a Wall Street Journal headline pointed out that “The Next President Inherits a Remarkable Economy.” The article went on to suggest that “Whoever wins the White House next week will take office with no shortage of challenges, but at least one huge asset: an economy that is putting its peers to shame.”
Lately, however, that luster has seemed to dull as a wide variety of economic data flash warning signs that may foretell stormy weather ahead, making it more nerve-wracking to put the final touches on the state budget as well as local fiscal plans.
To wit, consumer confidence plummeted in February by the largest rate in four years, initial jobless claims rose at the highest level since October 2024, job openings declined sharply in December 2024, and US employers cut more jobs in February than we’ve seen since 2009.
The question is whether the increased economic uncertainty weighing on the minds of consumers and businesses alike causes them to rethink their future spending plans, potentially translating into fewer general fund revenues in the days ahead.
As Governor Youngkin determines how to amend the budget sent to him by the General Assembly, are we likely to see a few amendments that tweak the budget agreement or a slew of amendments attempting to rewrite the budget, like we saw last year? Or will the Governor acknowledge the uncertainty that has clouded our economic outlook, pull back on spending initiatives agreed to by the General Assembly, and bank these resources for what may lie ahead, recognizing the dark clouds forming on the horizon. It’s a difficult position to be in.
We’ll know how Governor Youngkin wants to proceed when his amendments are transmitted to the General Assembly by midnight on Monday, March 24, 2025.
VML Contact: Joe Flores, jflores@vml.org
Opportunities
Invitation to local elected officials to join Virginia’s Wandering Waterways Tour happening April 10-11
The Chesapeake Bay Alliance and the Local Government Advisory Committee invite local elected officials to join them for an exploration of Virginia’s Wandering Waterways Tour on April 10 and 11.
This tour will visit utility scale solar operations, the Hampton Roads Sanitation SWIFT project, and provide attendees with an opportunity to network with other like-minded local officials. The goal of this tour is to provide insight into how best to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability to build a more resilient future and communities.
View/Download the invitation for additional information about the tour and how to register.
This tour is free and includes transportation. The deadline to sign up is March 21, 2025.
VML Contact: Mitchell Smiley, msmiley@vml.org
Funding available from National Fitness Campaign for outdoor wellness infrastructure in Virginia localities
Free, accessible outdoor wellness opportunities for communities and schools across Virginia are possible thanks to a continued partnership between National Fitness Campaign and Aetna.
In 2025, the sponsorship provides over $350,000 in new grant funding to communities and schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This funding will be allocated to support municipalities across Virginia to join the growing National Fitness Campaign, building healthy infrastructure for smart communities and schools of the future. The campaign has expanded significantly in the past few years, with plans to welcome its 750th Healthy Community in America in 2025, fostering a healthier, more active country.
If you are unfamiliar with the Campaign, the program is designed to bring world-class healthy infrastructure to public spaces, along with consulting, funding, and community programming support. Watch NFC’s 3-minute video describing the program: Campaign Video.
The Town of Dumfries celebrated the launch of their Fitness Court in 2023 at Ginn Memorial Park. Town of Dumfries Mayor, Derrick Wood, shared his enthusiasm for the community, "Based on our comprehensive plan and resolutions that had already passed in Dumfries, the Fitness Court Studio already aligned with the vision, creating unanimous support in the town. We chose the location for highest density and best walkability in town to make sure the space would be activated for years to come.”
The Town of Dumfries is now joined by Bedford, Sterling, Pulaski County, and other communities as the campaign continues to grow across Virginia.
In 2025, the program is seeking applications from municipalities of all sizes across Virginia, interested in building accessible outdoor wellness infrastructure to support the health and wellbeing of their residents. Funding is now available for 2025 applicants and is projected to be allocated over the next 60 days.
If you would like to join a 30-minute briefing to learn more about the NFC/Aetna wellness campaign in Virginia and how to qualify for funding, please fill out a short contact form at the link below. The briefings with NFC require the attendance of the Park Director, and/or Mayor, Town Manager, and/or Administrator, to qualify for funding.
Sign up for briefing for funding qualification here >.
NFC Contact: Sarah Morgan, sarah@nfchq.com
New round of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding now available
The third round of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding is now available from Virginia Energy. The maximum cap has increased to $200,000 for eligible local governments to encourage residents and small businesses to improve energy efficiency and conservation. In addition to assisting residents and small business owners in lowering their energy bills and creating healthier, more comfortable buildings, this initiative serves as a catalyst for new economic opportunities within these communities. Funding can be used to address a variety of goals, from community education programs to energy audits, energy auditor training, and more.
Eligible applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis until all funding has been awarded or until 11:59 pm on March 31, 2025. Details, eligibility requirements, support materials, and the application can be found here. Localities can opt to partner together on a single project to braid their respective EECBG funds together or partner with Virginia Energy's MEO vendor to streamline project implementation.
Funding is limited, so apply early!
Virginia Energy Contact: Jessica Greene, jessica.greene@energy.virginia.gov
Seminar: Building Bonds with Disclosure for Small Communities happening March 26 in Roanoke
An in-person workshop on Bond Disclosure and Compliance for Small Communities is being held on March 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Roanoke Higher Education Center.
Description: Once the bonds close, it isn't the ending, but actually the beginning of ongoing disclosure and compliance requirements! This workshop will provide valuable training on how to plan and meet these ongoing bond disclosure and compliance requirements with a program of experienced speakers and case study examples.
This seminar will be held in person only. However, following the seminar, a recording may be made available.
Fee: $20, including lunch (due to several generous sponsors*).
Registration: Available here >.
*Seminar Sponsors: Davenport & Company, Spillman Thomas & Battle, Virginia Resources Authority, and Virginia Tech
Contact: Sheryl D. Bailey, Ph.D., baileysd@vt.edu