eNews – August 1, 2025
Tell us how consolidating Virginia's election would affect your locality, Featured speaker announced for Mayors Institute, Proposed changes to transit funding...and more!
Friday, August 1, 2025/Categories: eNews
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In this issue:
VML News
Finance
Transportation
Natural Resources
Opportunities
VML News
If you care about the timing of Virginia’s elections, please complete this short survey!
The 2025 General Assembly Session passed SJ253 (Surovell) which established a two-year workgroup with 13 members to evaluate the feasibility of consolidating and scheduling general elections in Virginia to occur in even years to align with the national schedule.
The first year of the study focuses solely on information, while the second year is dedicated to drafting proposed legislation.
To help VML staff assess how consolidating elections might affect our member localities and to gather feedback, we ask that you please complete the short survey posted here >.
Background
All elections in Virginia were held in even years until 1869, when elections shifted to the following year due to Reconstruction. In 1979, the idea of consolidating general elections was examined, but no legislative or official report was produced. The topic of consolidating elections is not new, as 46 states hold all elections in even-numbered years.
State constitution and local charter impacts
Although the Virginia Constitution does not specify election years, or whether elections should be held in odd or even years, it does specify term lengths. As such, consolidating elections would require a constitutional change to allow for a one-year exception for term lengths.
To make a constitutional change the General Assembly must pass the same piece of legislation twice, with an election of the House or Senate between passages. Following the second passage, the legislation must be placed on the ballot in the form of a referendum for approval by the general public.
If approved by referendum, the General Assembly can change local charters by legislative override, making all charters uniform or by amending individual charters.
Issues with consolidating elections
- May force staggered terms to be eliminated due to the need to alter terms for one year.
- Potential for additional cost burdens placed on localities, such as:
- Increased staff time, members, mileage, and training expenses.
- Need for additional poll workers.
- Increased security measures.
- More frequent software/equipment updates.
- Increased staff during early voting.
- Delay of two years to place a referendum on the ballot.
VML Contact: Josette Bulova, jbulova@vml.org
Featured speaker for 2025 VML Mayors Institute announced
The Virginia Municipal League is pleased to announce that award winning mentor and coach Gary Campbell will bring his “Inspiring a Culture of Excellence” workshop to Roanoke on Oct. 11 when he will be the featured speaker for the first day of the 2025 VML Mayors Institute.
Learn more and register for the 2025 Mayors Institute and VML Annual Conference here >.
About Gary Campbell
As the founder and owner of Impact2Lead, LLC and the President and CEO of Johnson Health Center, Gary Campbell has been on a leadership journey that now allows him to share his success and challenges to audiences all over the country.
Having worked in leadership positions for LexisNexis, Ensemble Chimes Global, Bayer and Johnson Health Center, Gary has had the opportunity to continually leverage his passion around people development to build strong relationships and grow the bottom line.
In 2011, he left Bayer and came to Johnson Health Center (JHC) and in 2013; he launched Impact2Lead, LLC to provide transformation-based speaking, executive coaching and professional consulting services to other firms and leaders across the US.
Since joining JHC, the center has enjoyed unprecedented success and growth by transforming the culture using the Impact Leadership model and becoming the first Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) to be recognized as an Employer of Choice by Employer of Choice International, Inc.
In April 2017, they became the recipient of a Best Places to Work award for Central Virginia. In 2018, the health center earned another recognition as one of the top nine emerging businesses in Central Virginia. In 2022, JHC was once again named a Best Place to Work in Central Virginia and in 2023, named non-profit of the year and breaking ground on what is now a comprehensive 22,000 square foot facility that includes all services including a fitness and nutrition center. In 2024, JHC was voted best large employer in the Central Virginia area. In 2025, JHC was once again named non-profit of the year.
Gary was also voted a Best Mentor and Coach in the Central Virginia region in 2024.
In addition to the recognitions, Johnson Health Center has thrived by more than doubling access to care and patient services revenue while enjoying an overall 95% patient satisfaction rate since 2017.
Gary speaks and consults nationally on leadership, strategy, workforce and inspirational topics. He is also the co-owner of Mellow Mushroom, Playa Bowls and Campbell Land Holding in Lynchburg, VA.
VML Contact: Rob Bullington, rbullington@vml.org
The deadline to submit entries for VML’s 2025 Innovation Awards is fast approaching
The process has been streamlined, but we still need to get them by August 25!
The Virginia Municipal League’s Innovation Awards celebrate the programs and individuals that make it possible for our local governments to solve pressing problems, address emerging needs, and adapt to changing circumstances.
Local governments of all sizes are encouraged to compete for coveted Innovation Awards across seven categories. The entries will be judged based on the scope and results of the project in relation to the community’s size, thereby putting all localities on a level playing field.
One of the seven category winners will be selected for the prestigious President’s Award for Innovation. The winner of the President’s Award will be revealed when all the award winners are honored during the Awards Banquet at the VML Annual Conference in Roanoke in October.
Don’t miss this premiere opportunity to spotlight innovative programs that make your town, city or county a great place for people to call home!
The deadline to submit entries is 5pm on August 25.
Learn more and download the entry form on VML’s website here >.
VML Contact: Manuel Timbreza, mtimbreza@vml.org
Finance
General fund revenues up $572 million in FY 2025 – What does it mean going forward?
General fund revenues ended up more than half a billion to the good for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2025. This was not a surprise to anyone who has been following along, as a strong finish to the fiscal year was expected based on last month’s revenue report.
According to a press release from the Governor’s Office, revenues from individual income tax nonwithholding explain the higher-than-expected revenue collections in FY 2025. Nonwithholding revenue from capital gains and estimated payments are a notoriously volatile revenue source for states.
Going forward, it’s concerning that payroll withholding from wages and salaries limped along during the fiscal year, falling short of the forecast by 0.1% and sales tax collections were only up by 0.3% compared to expectations. We’ll know more about the revenue picture when supporting documents are released next month.
The question on everyone’s mind now is, what do the revenue results portend for the current fiscal year. Also, what revenue assumptions will undergird the 2026-28 biennial budget that Governor Youngkin hands off to his successor when he exits the stage next January?
Answers to questions about the revenue outlook won’t begin to emerge until later this fall when the Joint Advisory Board of Economists (JABE) meets in October to share their insights about recent and emerging economic trends and the Governor’s Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates (GACRE) convenes late in November to weigh in on the administration’s economic assumptions and general economic climate for the Commonwealth.
A surplus of general fund revenues is always a good thing, especially in the face of the economic uncertainties resulting from the federal government’s budget and personnel actions as well as the ever-changing trade policy landscape. The former is contributing to a dramatic reset of the federal fiscal relationship with state and local governments, and the latter is likely to lead to higher costs for consumers, according to most economists.
In the face of economic uncertainty, employment levels and consumer spending have remained relatively constant, although signs of possible changes have begun to emerge. According to a recent report in the Washington Post on quarterly GDP, “Consumers, who drive nearly 70 percent of the economy, have recently begun tapping the brakes on spending. They are buying fewer cars, forgoing restaurant meals, downsizing summer vacations and taking on more debt.”
Additionally, in the most recent quarter, consumer spending grew by 1.4 percent, reflecting a slowdown from the prior year.
Those factors and many more will be considered when Governor Youngkin’s fiscal team begin to prepare their economic assumptions about general fund revenue growth.
On the spending side of the ledger, state agency staff have been preparing for months to operate on leaner budgets. Driven primarily by reductions in federal funding, agencies have shed staff but also deliberated internally how to modify their operations to focus on necessities and discontinue lower priority functions. This stressful exercise is understandably contributing to morale issues among state agency staff.
It’s unlikely that Governor Youngkin will provide a preview of the budget outlook when he elaborates on the state of the Commonwealth’s finances at the Joint Money Committee Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, 2025. As evidenced by his office’s press release, the administration appears to be focused on how we did in fiscal year 2025. But as Governor Youngkin delivers his remarks, everyone in the room will be thinking about what’s next. VML staff will be there to see if he pulls back the curtain.
VML Contact: Joe Flores, jflores@vml.org
Transportation
Proposed changes to MERIT funding could impact local transit operating and capital costs
Public review option anticipated for October
At the July meeting of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), Department of Rail and Transportation Director Tiffany Robinson announced the intent to conduct a public review of proposed new performance metrics for how funding is distributed to transit agencies through the Making Efficient and Responsible Investments in Transit (MERIT) program. The public comment period is expected to occur in October of 2025 prior to adoption of any proposed changes which would take place during the CTB’s December meeting of the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The Transit Service Delivery Advisory Committee will also have an opportunity to assess and provide input on preliminary changes as part of this review
The rationale for the proposed changes are available in the presentation used by Director Robinson at the July meeting which is available here >.
Director Robinson announced that the goal of the review is to examine the existing scoring and prioritization process for transit operating and capital assistance programs and adopt new performance metrics to include in the MERIT funding prioritization process for transit systems.
The proposed metrics would shift the focus of MERIT funding from "input" focused metrics such as operating costs to "output" focused metrics such as ridership and simplify the funding process.
Potential impact on localities
VML members are advised that changes to MERIT funding could impact local transit operating and capital costs. Any changes to state funding will likely create a situation where some agencies receive increased funding while other agencies see reduced funding. VML will continue to monitor developments and keep members updated on the progress of the public review initiative and the proposed changes to the MERIT program.
VML Contact: Mitchell Smiley, msmiley@vml.org
Coalition Against Bigger Trucks: Opportunity to sign local government joint letter
The Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT) is asking local elected officials to help prevent Congress from approving bigger tractor-trailers by adding their name to a joint letter that CABT will send to the Virginia Congressional Delegation.
Add your name to CABT’s Local Government Letter to Congress asking for their opposition to bigger trucks here>.
Background
CABT is a non-profit coalition of local government, law enforcement, public works, and Fire/EMS officials that oppose legislation to increase commercial truck size and weight on local streets and roads.
At the federal level, CABT has identified the 91,000-pound pilot project continues to be the primary legislative threat. This bill would authorize any state to raise weights from 80,000 to 91,000 pounds. While it sounds “optional”, CABT believes there would be immense pressure for states to participate to harmonize with the region. As the CABT has seen in other states, no weight limit ever goes down. For this reason, CABT contends the 91,000-pound pilot program would be a dangerous experiment with Virginia’s motorists and communities as the guinea pigs.
The 91,000-pound pilot proposal will almost certainly come up for a vote this fall during the highway reauthorization process, which takes place roughly every five years and is the primary venue for debates on truck size and weight.
VML Contact: Mitchell Smiley, msmiley@vml.org
Natural Resources
Local input needed to shape the future of Chesapeake Bay restoration
Local governments are crucial partners in the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and now is a critical time to help shape the future of this work. The Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership is revising the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, a road map to protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
From July 1 through September 1, the Partnership is accepting public feedback on these proposed changes. Input from local governments is vital to ensure the updated goals and strategies reflect real-world needs and on-the-ground priorities.
Ready to make your voice heard? Submit comments on the draft revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement via email to comments@chesapeakebay.net.
Have questions or want to learn more before submitting feedback? Check out this handy fact sheet tailored specifically for local governments and join the Local Government Advisory Committee and Local Leadership Workgroup for an informational webinar on Wednesday, August 13 from 12-1 pm. Register here for the webinar.
VML Contact: Mitchell Smiley, msmiley@vml.org
Opportunities
Nominations now open for Excellence in Virginia Government Awards
Spotlighting Virginia’s best in local government and beyond!
For nearly 20 years, the Excellence in Virginia Government Awards have celebrated outstanding public service across the Commonwealth. Hosted by the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at VCU, these awards honor the individuals, organizations and innovations making a tangible difference in the lives of Virginians.
From small-town champions to statewide trailblazers, the awards shine a light on those whose work strengthens our communities and inspires civic excellence.
Award categories include:
- Community Enhancement
- Innovation in Government
- Public-Private Partnership
- Hill-Robinson Expansion of Freedom
- Unsung Heroes (Career Public Servants)
- Grace E. Harris Leadership
- Lifetime Achievement
Nominations are open now through Monday, Sept. 15. If your locality has launched a meaningful program—or if you know a municipal leader or public servant who’s made an enduring impact—we want to hear from you.
Learn more and access the nomination form here >.
VCU Contact: Tiffany Murray-Robertson, tfmurray@vcu.ed