eNews – August 29, 2025
VML Nominating Committee announced, Roanoke social events at Annual Conference, Opposing views on state's economic outlook...and more!
Friday, August 29, 2025/Categories: eNews
This edition of eNews is sponsored by Polimorphic powering service-first governments with AI built for a better resident experience. Learn more >
In this issue:
VML News
Finance
Housing
Opportunities
VML News
Members of VML’s Nominating Committee announced
The members of VML’s Nominating Committee are:
- Chuckie Reid, Vice Mayor, Town of Farmville
- Alyia Gaskins, Mayor, City of Alexandria
- David Horton, Mayor, City of Radford
- Erin Rayner, Councilmember, Town of Purcellville
- Keith Harless, Manager, Town of Pennington
- William Johnson, Manager, City of Emporia
- Jerri Wilson, Governmental Affairs Manager, City of Newport News
- Fletcher Fosque, Mayor, Town of Onancock.
About the Nominating Committee
Each year, the Nominating Committee, as appointed by the VML President, considers candidates to fill two at-large seats. More at-large positions may be available if an individual serving in one becomes an officer. The Nominating Committee also recommends individuals for the roles of Vice President and President-Elect. These officers are individuals who have served for at least one year on the existing VML Board of Directors. By virtue of the VML Constitution, the President-Elect automatically moves into the President position.
VML Contact: Michelle Gowdy, mgowdy@vml.org
Pre-Conference Event: Last chance to buy discounted tickets: The Wailers in Rocky Mount Oct. 11
Seats are $45 each and are available until Sept. 3.
For VML members attending our Mayors Institute or arriving early for our Annual Conference, we’ve got something unique and fun for you!
VML and the Town of Rocky Mount are pleased to offer discounted tickets to The Wailers (yes, that’s The Wailers of Bob Marley fame!) performing at The Harvester Performance Center at 8:00 PM on Oct. 11.
Purchase tickets here >
A note on transportation – Those attending the event should be prepared to provide their own transportation. However, if a significant number of VML Conference attendees purchase tickets, group transportation will be an option.
Make an evening of it!
Doors for the show open at 7:00 PM, so get to Rocky Mount early to experience the amazing dining options a short walk (or drive) from The Harvester. Learn more about all the nearby dining options here >.
About The Wailers
The Wailers are a rare breed of musicians who have earned their place in the annals of music history. Their culture-defining music, embodying the spirit of the 70s reggae movement, has left an indelible mark on the music industry.
Experience the magic of their timeless classics and incredible cuts from Bob Marley’s vast repertoire in a set that is truly unforgettable. Under the guidance of Aston Barrett Jr, son of the legendary “Familyman”, The Wailers continue to preserve the legacy of their iconic sound.
VML Contact: Rob Bullington, rbullington@vml.org
Annual Conference: City of Roanoke offerings to include “Sunrise at the Star” and social event at the Taubman Museum
Early risers rejoice! On the morning of Monday, Oct. 13, the City of Roanoke will provide shuttle transportation (leaving at 6:45am) to the base of a short trail leading to the mountaintop Roanoke Star. After participants enjoy the sunrise, the shuttles will pick them up at the Star and return them to the Hotel Roanoke in time for breakfast.
That same evening, the city will host an evening social event at the Taubman Museum of Art, a short walk across the pedestrian bridge from the Hotel Roanoke. This event begins at 6:30pm and will follow VML’s Bluegrass Reception featuring The Hot Seats that runs from 5:00-6:30pm at the Hotel Roanoke.
So, there will be plenty of opportunities for networking and socializing to complement the numerous educational sessions happening throughout the conference!
There is no extra charge to participate in any of these offerings.
About the Taubman Museum of Art
The Taubman Museum of Art is the largest fine arts museum in Southwest Virginia and a cultural cornerstone of the Roanoke Valley. Founded in 1951 as the Roanoke Fine Arts Center, the Museum has grown steadily over more than seven decades, culminating in the opening of its landmark downtown facility in 2008. Designed by internationally recognized architect Randall Stout, the striking 81,000-square-foot building symbolizes the region’s creative spirit and has become a defining architectural landmark for the area. In 2026, the Taubman will mark its 75th anniversary, celebrating its enduring impact on the community and beyond.
VML Contact: Rob Bullington, rbullington@vml.org
Finance
Governor and legislators present differing views on the state’s economic outlook
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
Thus begins Charles Dickens’, A Tale of Two Cities, describing the contradicting conditions of 18th century Europe. That depiction, however, also serves as an apt summary of the competing economic visions painted just two weeks ago by Governor Youngkin and Secretary Cummings on the one hand and House Appropriations Committee (HAC) staff on the other. The former faction projects certain confidence while the latter confidently projects uncertainty.
It will be months before we know which vision hues closer to the truth. In the meantime, policymakers need as much data and analysis on the table to prepare a budget for the remainder of this fiscal year and the next biennium. Thus far, those elements have been lacking.
As far as the competing economic visions are concerned, Governor Youngkin described the Commonwealth’s fiscal situation as “financially strong as she has ever been,” with an ample supply of one-time cash to address any fiscal difficulties we may encounter in FY 2026. He attributed “our economic development successes and the resulting business investment and job growth” to pro-business policies that are contributing to the Commonwealth’s “current and future financial strength.” He also suggested that many concerns about Virginia’s economy have dissipated, while acknowledging that federal layoffs loom on the horizon. Governor Youngkin also maintains that displaced workers will find employment among numerous available positions.
Diving into the details, Secretary Cummings reported that fiscal year 2025 ended with a general fund surplus of $572.0 million, 1.9% higher than the official forecast. In a departure from past practice, the secretary compared the Commonwealth’s FY 2025 revenue performance to a prior general fund revenue forecast, a calculation that increased the budgeted difference by $2.1 billion.
As we noted last month, payroll withholding from wages and salaries fell short of the official forecast in FY 2025 by 0.1% and sales tax collections were only up by 0.3% compared to expectations. Anemic growth from these revenue sources that are often considered the general fund’s bread and butter may indicate economic weakness in the short term. Fortunately, general fund revenue only needs to grow 0.4% in FY 2026 to meet the projected forecast, a low bar that certainly appears attainable.
In contrast to the administration’s perspective, Kim McKay and David Reynolds, HAC staff assigned to the House Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions, were more circumspect about the Commonwealth’s current and future fiscal condition. Summing up the work of the House committee over the last six months, staff asserted that “While Virginia remains on a healthy trajectory in terms of its month-to-month revenue collections, rising unemployment and slowing employment growth in the state signal the need for caution as General Assembly leaders determine their spending (tax policy + programmatic investments) priorities for the upcoming biennium.”
Echoing sentiments that VML staff has shared since February, HAC staff also noted that policymakers need timely access to comprehensive data about federal grants that have been “canceled, eliminated, or rescinded that pass through to state agencies and local governments and the federal grants that support nonprofit programming and organizations.” Without a complete understanding of the current fiscal landscape, how will the Commonwealth respond?
On a related fiscal note, now that the federal budget reconciliation bill is law, it is imperative that state agencies expedite and communicate their detailed analysis of changes to tax policy, Medicaid, and SNAP (i.e., food stamps) and what it means for the Commonwealth. That information will be shared with the Governor, who will be assembling his final budget this fall, and the General Assembly’s money committees, who will inherit that budget proposal in January, and quickly determine how to proceed.
Unanswered questions about the potential cost of these federal actions to the Commonwealth and to local governments for program and administrative changes in addition to the impact on populations that receive health care through Medicaid or food assistance through SNAP aren’t helpful and stand in the way of thoughtful responses to these federal policy actions.
In the days ahead, let’s hope that the administration makes the analysis of these federal changes a priority and begins to detail the specific federal grants that have been held up, reduced or eliminated. That information will help inform the discussion and debate that lay ahead about how the Commonwealth should respond to recent federal policy decisions.
Only then will we be able to determine if we are trending toward the best or the worst of times. Let’s hope it’s the former but we need to be prepared for the latter.
VML Contact: Joe Flores, jflores@vml.org
Housing
Join Senator Mark Warner and other stakeholders for the “Keys to Housing Affordability Summit” in Richmond on Sept. 8
The half-day “Keys to Housing Affordability Summit” will bring together local elected officials, housing and economic development leaders, and nonprofit partners from across the Commonwealth to share innovative solutions and discuss the future of housing affordability in Virginia.
The summit will take place at The Westin Richmond (6631 West Broad Street, 23230) from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Monday, Sept. 8.
The summit will conclude with a fireside chat with Senator Warner and Virginia Housing CEO Tammy Neale where Senator Warner will discuss his Road to Housing national legislative agenda—charting a bold path forward to address housing challenges in Virginia and across the country.
There is no fee, but registration is required
Information and registration here >.
Office of Senator Mark Warner Contact: Louise Arnatt Kadiri, Lou_Kadiri@warner.senate.gov
Opportunities
Community Flood Preparedness Fund – Round 6 Grants
Opens for applications Tuesday, September 2nd and closes Monday, October 17
The Community Flood Preparedness Fund is opening up the 6th round of funding Tuesday, September 2nd with applications due by to Monday October 17th.
Webinars on this round of funding are available:
- Monday September 8th at 10 am
- Monday September 8th at 3pm
- Wednesday September 10th at 10am
- Monday September 15th at 10 am
Registration is available here >
More detailed information about applying for Community Flood Preparedness Funds and changes to the program for Round 6 can be found in the 2025 funding manual released by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
VML Contact: Mitchell Smiley, msmiley@vml.org
Tobacco Commission's Energy Ingenuity Fund grants available for pre-application by Nov. 17
The full Notice of Funding Opportunity is available here >.
Eligible applicants are towns, cities, counties, IDAs, EDAs. There is $6M available to Southern VA and $6M available to Southwest VA. There is a 1:1 cost share requirement.
Learn more on the Energy Ingenuity Fund – Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission website.
Those interested in the program are encouraged to join TRRC Director of Regional Energy Development and Innovation, Jerry Silva, on September 15 for an online information session. More information and registration are available here >.
VML Contact: Mitchell Smiley, msmiley@vml.org
2026 Stormwater Local Assistance Fund now open for applications
The 2026 solicitation window for grant applications from local governments for the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) is now open through October 1st.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality manages SLAF funds and applications with $22.6 million in funds available for SLAF applications this cycle.
SLAF provides matching grants to local governments for the "planning, design, and implementation of stormwater best management practices" (BMP) that can improve local water quality in a cost effective manner.
These projects can include:
- New stormwater BMPs
- Retrofits of stormwater BMPs
- Stream restoration
- Low impact development projects
- Buffer restoration
- Pond retrofits
- Wetlands restoration
SLAF is a great opportunity to improve local water quality and receive matching funds for projects in your community.
More information about SLAF can be found here >.
More information about the 2026 grant funding cycle and how to apply for SLAF funding can be found in this memo from DEQ >.
VML Contact: Mitchell Smiley, msmiley@vml.org
VAPDC offering “Workforce and Talent Attraction in Virginia” virtual session Sept. 15
As part of its “Mondays at Midday” series, the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions is pleased to offer Workforce and Talent Attraction in Virginia at 12:00pm on Monday, September 15.
This session will explore workforce initiatives of Virginia Works and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, including efforts to connect employers to talent and to assist recently impacted federal workers.
Presenters include Nicole Overley, Commissioner of Virginia Works for the Commonwealth of Virginia and Megan Healy, PhD, Senior Vice President of Talent and Workforce Strategy for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.
Register here >
Find the full video presentations and slides from previous “Mondays at Midday” sessions on the VAPDC website here >.
VAPDC Contact: David Blount, dblount@tjpdc.org