Every day, sometimes every hour, new information emerges about the coronavirus. It is a challenge for our communities to know what further developments to anticipate and how to formulate an effective plan. VML will continue to update this page with resources for local officials to consider using as part of a plan of response.
Use the links below to jump to each topic
Coronavirus Relief Fund | Online Resources | Education & Schools | Announcements
Economy | Electronic Meetings
A message from VML President Thomas R. Smigiel: “I want to take a minute and acknowledge that in these alarming times I take comfort in all the encouraging signs I see from Virginia’s local governments and leaders. If we felt that we were resilient, strong and adaptable before this crisis hit, now we know it! We are greater than the sum of our parts…” Click here to read the full text >
A message from VML Executive Director Michelle Gowdy: “It takes a locality. This platitude has taken on a new, deeper meaning as we look to our local officials to bear the responsibility of pulling our nation through a health crisis none save our grandparents or great-grandparents have ever known. We now find ourselves in a situation where it takes a locality (lots of localities) to save lots of lives…” Click here to read the full text >
FAQs, facts and updates related to the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (“CARES Act”).
Primary Resources:
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- VML Working Group: FAQs: Analysis of CARES Act Funding Questions Raised by Local Governments about Eligible Spending Purposes. A regularly-updated, clickable resource addressing questions frequently asked of VML regarding the use and tracking of CARES Act funds by localities. Answers represent the reasonable judgement of a special VML Task Force and VML policy staff. (Updated August 6)
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- Virginia Secretary of Finance Aubrey Layne: Memo regarding the “Second and Final Allocation of Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds” (July 28)
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- Certification for Receipt of Coronavirus Relief Fund Payments: Form to be used by localities
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- City of Newport News: The City has developed a spreadsheet to track staff payroll expenses tied to the City’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Other localities may find it serves as a useful template to create their own tracker. Download the spreadsheet here >
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- POLCO: VML partner organization, POLCO now offers localities the “National Community Survey CARES for COVID-19 Recovery.” This survey tool and online platform allow leaders to directly engage residents and receive accurate and actionable feedback. Learn more here >.
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- CGI: VML member business, CGI has begun offering a new suite of services to government clients to help track relief fund spending through revenue and receivables reviews, which includes collecting and analyzing trends and data with a focus on:
- Identifying gaps between current operations and best practices
- Identifying opportunities to implement change to improve outcomes
- Identifying potential areas of fraud and abuse
- Timing of receivables coming due and various approaches to collecting on those receivables
- CGI: VML member business, CGI has begun offering a new suite of services to government clients to help track relief fund spending through revenue and receivables reviews, which includes collecting and analyzing trends and data with a focus on:
For more information, contact Andrew Jennison, andrew.jennison@cgi.com
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- “Big 7” Sign-On Letter: Over 130 state and regional organizations, including VML, signed on to this letter to Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer to request direct aid to localities to address revenue shortfalls. Read the letter here >. (June 29)
- From the letter: “Unlike the federal government, these state and local governments must begin their fiscal years on time and with a balanced budget. If the Senate fails to act immediately to support state and local governments, our nation’s recovery from the pandemic-induced recession will suffer and millions of Americans will needlessly be harmed.”
- “Big 7” Sign-On Letter: Over 130 state and regional organizations, including VML, signed on to this letter to Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer to request direct aid to localities to address revenue shortfalls. Read the letter here >. (June 29)
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- Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program: Information about the program that includes the grantee serving every locality.
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- U.S. Treasury Department – Coronavirus Relief Fund guidance:
- Frequently Asked Questions (Updated May June 24)
- The CARES Act provides Assistance for State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Governments (website)
- U.S. Treasury Department – Coronavirus Relief Fund guidance:
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- City of Falls Church: CARES/FEMA Funding Allocation Summary (spreadsheet)
Official websites, learning opportunities, surveys and other resources for localities.
Recently Added:
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General Information & Resources:
- Virginia Department of Health: COVIDWISE app information
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- Office of the Governor: COVIDWISE app one-pager (Aug. 6)
COVIDWISE allows you to anonymously notify others if you test positive for COVID-19, it notifies you if you’ve likely been exposed to the virus based on positive reports from other app users, and helps you understand the steps you should take to protect yourself and others.
- Office of the Governor: COVIDWISE app one-pager (Aug. 6)
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- City of Virginia Beach: Sports Tournament Guidelines – COVID-19 Phase III (July 10)
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- City of Falls Church: These items were originally posted earlier, but continue to serve as useful guides to other localities.
- Summary of resources provided below:
- City of Falls Church Incident Command Chart (April 14)
- Reopening Road Map (Based on CDC, White House, & Gov. Northam’s Guidelines)
- Recovery Road Map (“White House” Model)
- COVID-19 payroll expenses (sample spreadsheet)
- COVID-19 supply expenses (sample spreadsheet)
- “Repurpose an Employee” Program (email outlining the program)
- Chronicle newsletter for city employees (example from April 23)
- Summary of resources provided below:
- City of Falls Church: These items were originally posted earlier, but continue to serve as useful guides to other localities.
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- Virginia Department of Labor and Industry: Emergency Temporary Standard/ Emergency Regulation, Infectious Disease Prevention, SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19
The VOSH Program requests the Safety and Health Codes Board adopt an Emergency Temporary Standard/Emergency Regulation, Infectious Disease Prevention, SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19, §16 VAC 25-220, applicable to every employer, employee, and place of employment in the Commonwealth of Virginia within the jurisdiction of the VOSH program.
- Virginia Department of Labor and Industry: Emergency Temporary Standard/ Emergency Regulation, Infectious Disease Prevention, SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19
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- Virginia Department of Labor and Industry: Infectious Disease Prevention: SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19 (June 12)
Establishes requirements for employers to control, prevent, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to and among employees and employers.
- Virginia Department of Labor and Industry: Infectious Disease Prevention: SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19 (June 12)
Webinars, Virtual Roundtables & Town Halls:
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- NLC: Constituency Groups Virtual Summit | Aug 13 11:00 AM EST, Aug 14 2:00 PM EST
CONFERENCE THEME: Equitable Solutions for the Future of the City
Join the National League of Cities (NLC) for a two-day gathering specifically for local leaders and those serving communities of Black, Indigenous and People of Color. This summit will focus on diverse leadership and equitable solutions for the future of cities in the wake of COVID-19. Participants will engage around topics that are timely and highlight intersectionality across race, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Additional information and registration are available here>. - Training.com: Employers Playbook for the Families First Coronavirus Act 2020 | Aug 5 1:00-2:00 PM EST
- The training is designed to ensure your organization if fully compliant with laws and regulations surrounding the families first coronavirus act in 2020 and additional areas to consider related to local and state regulation. Register here >.
- NLC: Constituency Groups Virtual Summit | Aug 13 11:00 AM EST, Aug 14 2:00 PM EST
Information and updates about plans to reopen schools.
Recently Added:
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- Office of the Governor: State Health Commissioner Oliver and Superintendent of Public Instruction Lane – Letter to Superintendents and Local School Leaders (July 6).
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- Virginia Department of Education: School Reopening FAQs (updated regularly)
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- Virginia Department of Education: Virginia’s Return to School Plan (updated regularly)
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- Johns Hopkins University: Analysis of School Reopening Plans (updated regularly)
State and Federal executive orders, directives, guidelines, letters, and press releases.
Recently Added:
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- Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) Unemployment Benefits Update: July 20 Presentation to VML & Summary documents below:
- Eligibility for Unemployment Benefits
- Workers on Furlough or Reduced Hours
- Virtual Hiring Event flyer
- Navigating the Unemployment Insurance Process During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Top 5 Reasons Why Applicants Have Not Received Benefits
- Unemployment Insurance Services Provided at the Virginia Career Works Centers
- Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) Unemployment Benefits Update: July 20 Presentation to VML & Summary documents below:
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- Office of Secretary of Veterans & Defense Affairs
Information, tools and studies related to the economic impact of COVID-19.
Recently added:
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- Virginia Housing Commission: The Housing Commission met on July 8th and talked about evictions and the impact on both landlords and tenants. The materials can be found here:
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- “Big 7” Sign-On Letter: Over 130 state and regional organizations, including VML, signed on to this letter to Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer to request direct aid to localities to address revenue shortfalls. Read the letter here >. (June 29)
- From the letter: “Unlike the federal government, these state and local governments must begin their fiscal years on time and with a balanced budget. If the Senate fails to act immediately to support state and local governments, our nation’s recovery from the pandemic-induced recession will suffer and millions of Americans will needlessly be harmed.”
- “Big 7” Sign-On Letter: Over 130 state and regional organizations, including VML, signed on to this letter to Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer to request direct aid to localities to address revenue shortfalls. Read the letter here >. (June 29)
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- VML Working Group: FAQs: Analysis of CARES Act Funding Questions Raised by Local Governments about Eligible Spending Purposes. A regularly-updated, clickable resource addressing questions frequently asked of VML regarding the use and tracking of CARES Act funds by localities. Answers represent the reasonable judgement of a special VML Task Force and VML policy staff. (last updated June 23)
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- Commonwealth of Virginia Secretary of Finance: Economic and Revenue Update – A Briefing for the Money Committees (May 2020). Includes:
- National and State Economic Indicators
- April Year-to-Date Revenue Collections, Fiscal Year 2020
- Next Steps
- Federal Stimulus Funds
- Commonwealth of Virginia Secretary of Finance: Economic and Revenue Update – A Briefing for the Money Committees (May 2020). Includes:
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- Local Government Attorneys of Virginia (LGA): Authority to Defer Local Tax Payments and Process for Doing So (April 7)
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- Budgeting in the age of COVID-19: A tool to measure sinking local revenues by Jim Regimbal, Fiscal Analytics (April 3)
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- COVID-19 Local Government Financial Management Resources from Virginia Tech.
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- Town of Middleburg: Actions taken to support local businesses:
With restrictions on gatherings, local governments can use these resources as guides on how to conduct their business remotely.
Note: Visit our Meeting Resources page for a list of platforms and services localities may want to consider for video streaming, video meetings, online voting, etc.
Primary Resources:
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- Local Government Attorneys of Virginia (LGA): COVID-19 Committee letter (May 1) regarding the 2020 Budget Amendment, Operating Policies, and Remote Meetings: Further support for electronic meetings during COVID-19 emergency. Localities should consult their attorneys for further guidance.
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- Local Government Attorneys of Virginia: Committee Report on Electronic Meetings (March 24).
Please be aware that while the report uses the recent opinion from Attorney General Herring as a road map, you should continue to consult with your legal advisor as you move forward with meetings. The report includes:
- Local Government Attorneys of Virginia: Committee Report on Electronic Meetings (March 24).
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- Checklist for holding completely electronic public meetings and ensuring public access
- Model ordinance and resolution that mirrors what some localities have already put into place.
- Appended example of a declaration of emergency (from Albemarle County) which may be helpful to those localities who have not yet declared one.
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- Sample document: Electronic Participation Policy (Can be used as a template for your own policy)
