eNews – June 26, 2026
Bill report for local governments, New electronic disclosure requirements webinar, Governor to offer budget amendments...and more!
Friday, June 26, 2026/Categories: eNews
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In this issue:
VML News
Finance
VLGMA
VML News Board – Recent Posts
VML News
2026 bill report for VML member localities
Last week, VML distributed a list of bills approved by the 2026 General Assembly that may affect local governments and may require review, or policy or administrative action.
View/Download the report here >.
This is not an exhaustive or complete list, nor is this legal advice on the part of VML. We will update you on any further actions/information we receive, particularly policy language that may be included in the Appropriations Act, which as of this date has not been finalized by the General Assembly.
It has been several years since VML was able to provide such a chart; this effort was made possible because of work provided by Capitol Square Strategies and the VML legislative staff. We are interested in hearing from you regarding the usefulness of this chart, and what other information would be helpful to you in future years as you review legislative actions possibly affecting your local government.
Please consult your local attorney before implementing any changes as well as the code sections directly. Again, this is not legal advice.
VML Contact: Michelle Gowdy, mgowdy@vml.org
Free webinar from COIA Council and VML: How the new electronic disclosure law affects local governments
Legislation passed and signed into law during the 2026 General Assembly Session requires local government officials and employees to file annual disclosure statements electronically with the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council (COIA).
View the legislation here >.
The new disclosure requirements will be phased in gradually based on population thresholds (populations exceeding 250,000 begins January 1, 2028; populations exceeding 100,000 but less than 250,000 begins January 1, 2029; and populations less than 100,000 begin January 1, 2030). However, localities may willingly begin following the new disclosure requirements starting January 1, 2027.
To hear more about how the new electronic disclosure law affects local governments, join Steve Petoe and Elizabeth Sunderberg from the COIA Council along with VML staff for a free webinar on Thursday, July 9 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Register for the webinar here >.
VML members are encouraged to use this opportunity to hear from experts and ask any questions about the new requirements.
VML Contact: Josette Bulova, jbulova@vml.org
Finance
Governor Spanberger expected to offer amendments to the 2026-28 budget
Amid rumors the past few days of Kumbaya being sung around Capitol Square, some of us naively thought that maybe, just maybe, the budget was almost done. And that the governor would quickly put her imprimatur on her first biennial budget.
Alas, it isn’t to be. At least not yet. No, it sounds like the governor will propose amendments to the budget agreement that was reached in just the past few days, and the 140 members of the House and Senate will need to return to act on those recommendations on Monday, June 29.
When asked about the budget during a visit to the Department of Corrections this week, the governor stated that she would be sending down amendments, including technical amendments requested by members of the General Assembly.
It certainly is Governor Spanberger’s prerogative to recommend amendments to the budget for the General Assembly to consider – in fact, it’s in Virginia’s Constitution; but do we really need further delays as the doors to the Commonwealth’s fiscal year begin to close? Of course, the governor wouldn’t be in this position if the General Assembly had completed its work on time. Regardless, this budget needs to be wrapped up.
Then again, the last-minute delay gives VML staff more time to pore over the 600 amendments the General Assembly recently agreed upon.
When the dust finally settles from the General Assembly’s legislative get-together next Monday, VML staff will complete their final write-up on the budget to share with members. We will then pivot to the next fiscal year that will begin within hours of the signed budget agreement.
So, even as one journey ends, another is about to begin. See you in FY27!
VML Contact: Joe Flores, jflores@vml.org
VLGMA
VLGMA elects officers and board members
Bowling Green Town Manager India Adams-Jacobs has been installed as the new president of the Virginia Local Government Management Association (VLGMA) for 2026-2027. She was elected during the Association’s annual conference in Virginia Beach earlier this month. Adams-Jacobs succeeds Amherst Town Manager Sara McGuffin, who will now serve as immediate past president of the Association.
Serving with Adams-Jacobs as Association officers are Loudoun County Deputy Administrator Danny Davis as president-elect; Louisa County Administrator Christian Goodwin as first vice president; Vinton Assistant Town Manager Cody Sexton as second vice president; Staunton City Manager Leslie Beauregard as third vice president; and Emporia City Manager William Johnson as secretary.
Also elected to serve two-year terms as members of the Association’s executive committee are Harrisonburg City Manager Ande Banks; Abingdon Assistant Town Manager Kevin Blankenship; Dumfries Assistant to the Town Manager Ayana Braxton-Thurston; King and Queen County Administrator Vivian Seay; Colonial Beach Town Manager Natasha Tucker; and Chesterfield Deputy County Administrator James Worsley.
Continuing on the executive committee for the second year of a two-year term are Chesapeake Deputy City Manager Laura Fitzpatrick; Roanoke Assistant to the County Administrator Madeline Hanlon; Herndon Deputy Town Manager Kirstyn Jovanovich; Montgomery Deputy County Administrator Christopher Lawence; and Franklin Assistant County Administrator Brandy Rosser. In addition, Woodstock Town Manager Aaron Grisdale was elected to serve a one-year term to fill a vacancy on the executive committee.
About VLGMA
VLGMA is a statewide association of more than 350 local government management professionals. Its mission is to strengthen the quality of local government through professional management; it seeks to promote professional management through training, membership support, resource sharing; networking; and support for efforts to develop the next generation of local government management professionals. VLGMA is a state affiliate of the International City-County Management Association (ICMA). VML serves as the VLGMA’s secretariat.
VML Contact: Janet Areson, jareson@vml.org
VML News Board – Recent Posts
Please check the VML News Board (no password required) for the latest notices and opportunities for local governments, including recently added items such as: