eNews May 12, 2023
Friday, May 12, 2023 - 02:17pm
This edition of eNews is sponsored by:
The GrantMatch team is a diverse and growing group of individuals who are united in their expertise of the government funding and incentive landscape. We cut through the confusion, uncovering the specific financial resources so you can focus on taking your operations to the next level. Read more >
In this issue:
- Opportunity for Virginia’s towns and small cities to benefit from data pilot program
- Broadband Together event for local government officials happening May 17-18
- Elected officials are invited to “Learn the Rules of the Road” at VML’s Skills Development Conference June 13-14
- Call for entries: 2023 VML Innovation Awards
- “Blue Skies” or “Stormy Weather”? An uncertain economic forecast forces Virginia’s local governments to bide their time.
- Get those reports in! Mandatory reports to the federal government and Commonwealth are overdue for some local governments.
- Latest edition of the National Civic Review now available for VML members
- Federal water quality technical assistance and grants
- Community water project grant webinar coming May 27
- Mid-Atlantic Environmental Summit to be held May 17
- Regional Elected Leaders Initiative announces speakers for collective bargaining webinar happening May 19
- Utility Management Services offering 25% discount to VML member localities
- “Safe Streets and Roads for All” FY23 NOFO open through July 10
VML News
Opportunity for Virginia’s towns and small cities 
to benefit from data pilot program
VML partner organization Polco is inviting 100 cities and towns with populations under 15,000 to join their national Small Cities Pilot Program.
Using Polco’s new GPAL platform, this program enables smaller communities to:
- Clearly evaluate community needs.
- Compare trends and best practices with peers.
- Make data-driven decisions with confidence.
- Access more grant funding.
A free webinar about the Small Cities Pilot Program and Polco’s GPAL platform will be held Wednesday, May 17 at 2:00pm ET. Local staff and officials involved in communications, community engagement, strategic plans, rallying support for capital projects, and/or securing grant funds are encouraged to attend!
Information and registration available here >.
VML Contact: Rob Bullington, rbullington@vml.org
Broadband Together event for local government 
officials happening May 17-18
VML local government member staff and officials are encouraged to register for the upcoming Broadband Together Conference happening in Richmond May 17-18.
This year’s event will feature sessions on:
- BEAD grants
- 2023 legislative recap
- Smart technology and farming
- Digital equity
- Cybersecurity
- Digital literacy
- …and more!
Registration and full agenda are available here >.
VML Contact: Rob Bullington, rbullington@vml.org
Elected officials are invited to “Learn the Rules of 
the Road” at VML’s Skills Development Conference June 13-14
Join VML staff and experts from a variety of fields to learn about topics important to elected officials and staff from local governments of all sizes in Virginia. This event will be offered both in-person and virtually.
Topics to be covered include:
- Parliamentary Procedure
- Budgeting
- Land Use (including housing and zoning)
- Human Resources Issues (including marijuana legalization)
- Planning District Commissions (including grants and partnership opportunities)
- …and more!
Social networking: Tuesday, June 13 (in-person only)*
- Time: Evening
- Location: Capital Ale House (4024 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060)
- Venue website here >
- Details: Food and beverages provided for registrants.
*Note: You may attend the Tuesday evening social event in person even if you are registered to attend the Wednesday conference virtually.
Conference: Wednesday, June 14 (in-person and virtual)
- Time: Check-in 8:30 a.m. / Event runs 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Location: The Place at Innsbrook (4036-C Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060).
- Venue website here >.
- Details: Breakfast and lunch provided for in-person attendees. Virtual registrants will receive the link to join ahead of the event.
VML Contact: Rob Bullington, rbullington@vml.org
Call for entries: 2023 VML Innovation Awards
The people who make local governments work do so much for their residents with little or no expectation of recognition. That’s why 47 years ago, the Virginia Municipal League launched its “Achievement Awards” to recognize outstanding work being done by local governments across Virginia. The program went on to become Virginia’s highest honor in local government creativity. In 2017 the name was changed to “Innovation Awards”, but the purpose remains the same: To celebrate all that you do to make your city, town, or county a great place to live!
It’s time again for our members to spotlight programs and individuals that have made a big difference to their residents by creating innovative solutions to address emerging needs.
Learn more about the awards and how to submit your entries here >.
The awards will be presented at VML’s Annual Conference in Norfolk in October.
VML Contact: Manuel Timbreza, mtimbreza@vml.org
Economy & Finance
“Blue Skies” or “Stormy Weather”? An uncertain economic forecast forces Virginia’s local governments to bide their time.
In a few days, the Secretary of Finance will provide a routine fiscal update to the Governor, describing how revenues are flowing into the Commonwealth’s coffers. Typically, this report garners little attention. This month will be different.
Why? Because this year, leaders in the General Assembly appear to be closely monitoring the flow of general fund revenues into the treasury. So, while the Secretary of Finance noted last month that “we continue to have confidence in our forecast,” leaders in the General Assembly are seeking additional data points and are carefully looking over the Administration’s shoulder to make sure they are equally optimistic about “blue skies” for future revenue.
For example, House and Senate budget leaders are looking to revenue reports from May and June to shed light on future revenue before they commit to ongoing tax relief or make investments in education, public safety, and health and human resources.
And they have good reason to be wary of the potential for “stormy weather” as the economic outlook has become cloudy of late with general fund revenue growth moderating in the past two months. Some of that was expected, but the federal government reported a significant drop in economic growth – from 2.6% in the last quarter of 2022 to 1.1% in the first three months of 2023. That slowdown has been attributed, in part, to the Fed’s decision to continue raising interest rates and the unexpected volatility experienced by some regional banks.
Adding to the storm clouds, last week Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen surprised many by announcing that the federal government may run out of funding to pay all its bills as early as June 1, 2023. The accelerated timeline adds fuel to an already simmering debate between the Biden Administration and House Republicans about raising the debt ceiling to pay bills we’ve incurred and addressing chronic budget deficits. How these issues are resolved will have financial consequences for all involved, including state and local governments.
Some unexcepted sun shone through those clouds recently, however, when we learned that the labor market continues to defy economist’s expectations, adding 253,000 jobs in April despite rising interest rates and the banking industry’s woes.
Given all this conflicting information, it’s somewhat understandable why lawmakers continue to wring their hands on the budget. But, as local government leaders know all too well, at some point you have to stop trying to predict the weather and just get on with it. Obviously, local leaders would love to know how much they can expect in terms of additional funding for a behavioral health system, for example, that everyone agrees is in critical condition, but the Code of Virginia imposes strict deadlines on local governments to set their budgets, and so local governments are compelled to act. This is why local leaders are making difficult decisions in the face of uncertainty, with or without guidance from state budget makers.
Another example: local school divisions are particularly anxious to know how much they can expect from Richmond to extend employment contracts to existing or prospective teachers. That concern is even greater in communities bordering other states competing for the same pool of talent. Let’s hope we haven’t missed the boat so Virginia’s schools can continue to recover from the negative impacts of the pandemic.
A final example: we’d love to know how much money we can count on to address salary and wage pressures that permeate all levels of local government. But until the General Assembly reconvenes, local governments are forced to wait and do what they can to avoid staff attrition by the private sector.
It is said that “Good things come to those who wait.” Let’s hope that adage rings true on the state budget and soon!
VML Contact: Joe Flores, jflores@vml.org
Get those reports in! Mandatory reports to the federal government and Commonwealth are overdue for some local governments.
As noted in the preceding article, the General Assembly is tardy in acting upon the state’s budget and local leaders are justified in complaining about that delay. However, those complaints may ring hollow if local governments fail to submit mandatory reports to the federal government and Commonwealth. If you have not already submitted the data, please check with your staff to make sure the required data is submitted as soon as possible.
Local government reports to Auditor of Public Accounts (APA) on revenues and expenditures were due on December 15, 2022
As of April 25, 2023, the APA reports that 20 localities have yet to submit their statutorily required report on revenues and expenditures through June 30, 2022. Section 15.2-2510 of the Code of Virginia requires submission of “a detailed statement…showing the amount of revenues, expenditures and fund balances of the locality for the preceding fiscal year, accompanied by the locality’s audited financial report.” The requirement applies to a) all counties and cities, b) all towns having a population of 3,500 or over, and c) all towns constituting a separate school division regardless of their population.”
These reports were due no later than December 15, 2022. If you haven’t submitted your reports to the APA yet, please do so ASAP, to ensure your information is included in this important revenue and expenditure update.
Federal reports on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding were due on April 30, 2023
Late last week, the U.S. Department of Treasury provided a list of NEUs (i.e., non-entitlement units of local governments) that have filed their latest program and expenditure report. By our count, 127 of 202 NEUs have submitted their latest report, meaning a significant number of NEUs have not.
Treasury has indicated that their reporting portal will remain open for at least 60 days “to accommodate late filers”, but all NEUs are strongly encouraged to complete their filing as soon as possible.
The National League of Cities has provided some additional resources for entities who may need a refresher about filing their latest report. The first is a blog that provides a link to a quick 10-minute instructional video on how to file an ARPA report using 6.1, revenue replacement, which most NEUs will be doing. The other is a set of slides that walk users through the step-by-step process of filing a report.
VML wants to hear from you!
Finally, it would be helpful if each locality could send us their completed federal ARPA report when it is submitted to the U.S. Treasury. VML wants to be able to respond to state and federal lawmakers if they ask us how our members have committed their State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), especially with some legislators on Capitol Hill still considering a claw back of federal ARPA funds!
Please send your latest report to VML’s Director of Fiscal Policy Joe Flores at the below email.
VML Contact: Joe Flores, jflores@vml.org
Education
Virginia Board of Education holds special meeting, votes to award School Construction Grant funds.
The Virginia Board of Education met on Thursday, May 11, to discuss the Virginia Literary Core (VLC) Instructional Program Guide, review and vote on whether to release requested literary fund loans to Franklin City Public Schools, and review and vote on whether to award School Construction Grant Fund Program money to applicants.
In reviewing the VLC, the Board heard a presentation that outlined strategies to tackle the problems of learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These strategies included measures to reverse the falling literacy trends from grades K-5 by supporting teachers, schools, families, and development staff (e.g., reading specialists).
The Board also reviewed the request from Franklin City Public Schools for $1.0 million from the Literary Fund. The Board approved the release of the requested funds to be used for roof replacement projects at Franklin High School and S.P. Morgan Elementary School. Literary Fund Loans have not been allocated over the past few years, making this action noteworthy.
Finally, the Board reviewed and approved the recommended School Construction Grant Program applications. Forty schools were awarded grants totaling $365 million of the $450 million in the fund. The Board voted to approve the applications based on the criteria outlined in the 2022 legislation. The Board set a thirty-day review period for school divisions to ensure their calculations are correct and additional review criteria for technical matters. Each of the 40 grant winners qualified for a grant and received a score of 65 or higher out of 100 based on criteria such as Local Composite Index and the amount each were able to pay. Following the thirty-day review period, the Board will reopen the application process again to distribute the remaining $86 million this fiscal year.
All the materials from the May 11 meeting are available here >.
VML Contact: Josette Bulova, jbulova@vml.org
Resources
Latest edition of the National Civic Review now 
available for VML members
The Spring 2023 issue of the National Civic Review explores the link between civic engagement and democratic innovation and efforts to address the challenges of climate change, the COVID pandemic, community-building, political polarization, policing, and aging populations.
To access this edition, go to the table of contents where you will be prompted to enter your unique access code: VML23.
VML Contact: Rob Bullington, rbullington@vml.org
Federal water quality technical assistance and grants
The Chesapeake Bay Program’s Local Leadership Workgroup has compiled resources for local governments interested in improving water quality with resources ranging from technical assistance to grant opportunities available from various federal resources including new federal funding opportunities. Resources range from grant programs such as the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Program to new trainings such as the Bootcamps offered by the National League of Cities designed to assist local governments receive funding through the new federal grants approved as part of recent federal legislation. NLC has also compiled federally funded grant and technical assistance opportunities available for local governments. Keep in mind some of these opportunities, such as the NLC bootcamp, have deadlines closing as soon as the end of May.
General Technical Assistance Resources:
- Local Infrastructure Resource Hub to Access Federal Funding | National League of Cities and Partners (webpage)
- Federal Infrastructure Grant Application Bootcamps for Local Governments | National League of Cities and Partners (webpage)
- Department of Transportation Federal Grant and Technical Assistance Navigator | U.S. Department of Transportation (webpage)
- A Local Government Guide to Using Clean Water State Revolving Funds for Greening and Climate Resilience | American Rivers (report)
- EPA Water Infrastructure Technical Assistance Services | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (webpage)
Virginia Specific Resources:
- Master Grant Opportunities Portal for Virginia Communities | VA Secretary of the Commonwealth
On May 9, the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Local Leadership Workgroup (LLWG) met virtually to identify gaps in technical assistance for local governments and highlight resources available for local officials to access funding for water infrastructure. The agenda featured new federal infrastructure resources from the National League of Cities, overviews of grant support programs and local government services across several jurisdictions, and a robust discussion on gaps in technical assistance available to municipalities.
Meeting Materials:
Technical Assistance Presentations:
- Overview of Federal Technical Assistance (Carolyn Berndt)
- Technical Assistance for Water Infrastructure:
- Delaware’s Grant Assistance Program (Lori Spagnolo)
- Environmental Finance Center (Michelle Kokolis)
- Maryland’s Local Government TA Program (Marc Nicole)
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Field Liaison (Liz Feinburg)
- PA’s Center for Local Government Services (Tree Layton Zuzzio)
- VA’s Planning District Commissions (Jake Kline)
- Envision the Choptank (Amanda Pollack)
VML Contact: Mitchell Smiley, msmiley@vml.org
Community water project grant webinar coming May 27
On May 27, staff and officials from local governments can hear from Federal and local officials about federal community water project grant opportunities. The webinar will include officials from several federal agencies as well as the National League of Cities and local officials. The webinar will cover how these funds can be used to improve water infrastructure in local communities.
More information and registration can be found here: Tapping into Federal Funding Opportunities for Community Water Projects.
VML Contact: Mitchell Smiley, msmiley@vml.org
Opportunities
Mid-Atlantic Environmental Summit to be held May 17
On Wednesday, May 17, the U.S. EPA Region 3 will convene its second annual virtual Mid-Atlantic Environmental Summit. The theme this year is “Engaging and Investing for a Healthy and Sustainable Future.”
The Summit will be conducted via Zoom and registration is open now. The agenda features a variety of environmental and public health topics, including updates directly from State Environmental Secretaries and Directors, and five tracks of concurrent sessions on the Chesapeake Bay, environmental justice, federal grant funding, drinking water infrastructure, and more.
U.S. EPA Region 3 Contact: Andrew Kreider, kreider.andrew@epa.gov
Regional Elected Leaders Initiative announces 
speakers for collective bargaining webinar happening May 19
The George Mason University’s Schar School’s Regional Elected Leaders Initiative (RELI) is offering a suite of programs in 2023. For the sixth year, programming is specifically focused on meeting the region’s challenges and curated for NOVA’s elected officials, their staff, and others.
All events are free and from noon-1:15 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) and are co-sponsored by the Virginia Municipal League and the Virginia Association of Counties.
The Collective Bargaining webinar being held May 19 will be moderated by Jay Fisette, the Managing Principal of DMV Strategic Advisors and Former Chair, Arlington County Board.
Speakers include:
- Sarah Expinoza, J.D. – Labor Arbitrator and Mediator; SME Dispute Resolution, LLC
- Cynthia Hudson, Esq. of Eppes-Hudson Law, PLLC – Former Chief Deputy Attorney General of Virginia
- Justin Keating – Labor Attorney / Partner; Axelrod & Keating, P.C.
- Lydia Martinez, Esq – Director of Labor Relations; Fairfax County Public Schools
The session will include discussion of questions such as:
- What is the status of collective bargaining adoption among NOVA’s local governments and school districts?
- What does success look like for employees, governing boards, governmental organizations? What are the key ingredients to success? The biggest challenges?
- What is the authority and role of elected officials in jurisdictions and school divisions? Professional staff? Bargaining units?
- What are the implications of schools not having taxing authority? Is there value to communications between a county/city & their schools? Any lessons from other states?
- Can collective bargaining affect workplace communication and relationships? If so, how these impacts be mitigated?
- How might the region organize to learn or collaborate in collective bargaining moving forward?
Register for the May 19 webinar here >
Coming later this year
Peer-to-Peer Cohorts
- June 9, 16, 23, 30 – City/Town Council & County Board
- July 7, 14, 21, 28 – School Board Members
Policy Webinars
- September 15 – Planning Together for Climate Change
- September 29 – Reducing Roadway Deaths & Injuries
- October 13 – Affordable Home Ownership
- October 27 – Crime Trends & Tools
Annual Luncheon
- December 8 – Leadership Luncheon & Awards (11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
RELI Contact: For more information, contact Mary Hynes or Jay Fisette at SchaRELI@gmu.edu or visit the RELI website.
Utility Management Services offering 25% 
discount to VML member localities
UMS is one of most successful firms of its type in the country. UMS works to analyze your utility bills and energy contracts, ensuring you are on the best possible pricing. Their goal is to help your organization manage your utility costs, with little or no changes to your operations. Public and private sector clients nationwide trust UMS to identify no risk savings opportunities.
Cities and governments have a lot of different facilities all with unique operating characteristics. From office buildings to streetlights, UMS can analyze all utility accounts to find savings for the most efficient use of taxpayer revenue.
In fact, UMS saved one Virginia school district over $40,000 per year!
To celebrate becoming a part of VML’s cohort of Community Business Members, UMS is offering a 25% discount to VML’s local government members.
Contact: To learn more, contact Karly Plemmons, kplemmons@utilmanagement.com or (888) 867-3230
“Safe Streets and Roads for All” FY23 NOFO open through July 10
The fiscal year (FY) 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for “Safe Streets and Roads for All” grants is live on Grants.gov and open for applications.
The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. (EDT) Monday, July 10, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted. For details, more information, and applicant guidance:
- Review the NOFO
- Visit our How to Apply page
- Visit our Resources page
- Review SS4A Frequently Asked Questions
- Attend a grant application webinar
- Learn about what’s new in 2023
Award announcements are expected to be made by late 2023.
Contact: E. Bryan Rush, brush@chincoteague-va.gov
