Elected Officials
Virginia localities are generally required to elect the following constitutional officers.
• Clerk of the Circuit Court
• Treasurer
• Commissioner of Revenue
• Commonwealth’s Attorney
• Sheriff
The Clerk of the Circuit Court is elected for an eight-year term and serves as the chief administrative officer of court operations. They are responsible for managing and keeping records of court proceedings; collecting fines; recording and keeping land records and transfer of land ownership records such as deeds and mortgages; the custody of subdivision plats and land tract maps; the sale of hunting, fishing, and marriage licenses; and administering oaths and keeping disclosure statements.
The Treasurer is elected for a four-year term and is responsible for the collection, custody, and disbursement of county funds. They are also responsible for the custody of certain state funds which flow through the county offices. Under several optional forms of government, the Treasurer is replaced by an appointed Director of Finance.
The Commissioner of Revenue is elected for a four-year term and is charged with assessing local taxes including the
preparation of the real estate and personal property tax books and tax bills. Like the Treasurer, under several optional forms of government the Commissioner of the Revenue is replaced by an appointed Director of Finance.
The Commonwealth's Attorney is elected for a four-year term and is the state’s attorney for the prosecution of local
criminal offenses.
The Sheriff is elected for a four-year term and is responsible for the protection of the lives and property of county
residents. The Sheriff serves all warrants of arrest and summonses for witnesses and jurors, acts as bailiff
at sessions of the Circuit and District Court, maintains order at meetings of the Board of Supervisors, and supervises the county jail and its inmates. They are the chief law enforcement officer in counties which do not have police departments and relieved of law enforcement activities in counties where police departments have been established. As of 2010, 86 of 95 county Sheriffs serve as the chief local law enforcement officer (only nine counties maintain police departments).
• Clerk of the Circuit Court
• Treasurer
• Commissioner of Revenue
• Commonwealth’s Attorney
• Sheriff
The Clerk of the Circuit Court is elected for an eight-year term and serves as the chief administrative officer of court operations. They are responsible for managing and keeping records of court proceedings; collecting fines; recording and keeping land records and transfer of land ownership records such as deeds and mortgages; the custody of subdivision plats and land tract maps; the sale of hunting, fishing, and marriage licenses; and administering oaths and keeping disclosure statements.
The Treasurer is elected for a four-year term and is responsible for the collection, custody, and disbursement of county funds. They are also responsible for the custody of certain state funds which flow through the county offices. Under several optional forms of government, the Treasurer is replaced by an appointed Director of Finance.
The Commissioner of Revenue is elected for a four-year term and is charged with assessing local taxes including the
preparation of the real estate and personal property tax books and tax bills. Like the Treasurer, under several optional forms of government the Commissioner of the Revenue is replaced by an appointed Director of Finance.
The Commonwealth's Attorney is elected for a four-year term and is the state’s attorney for the prosecution of local
criminal offenses.
The Sheriff is elected for a four-year term and is responsible for the protection of the lives and property of county
residents. The Sheriff serves all warrants of arrest and summonses for witnesses and jurors, acts as bailiff
at sessions of the Circuit and District Court, maintains order at meetings of the Board of Supervisors, and supervises the county jail and its inmates. They are the chief law enforcement officer in counties which do not have police departments and relieved of law enforcement activities in counties where police departments have been established. As of 2010, 86 of 95 county Sheriffs serve as the chief local law enforcement officer (only nine counties maintain police departments).
Appointed officials
City/County Manager
The City/Town Manager, appointed by the City/Town Council, is the chief administrative officer of his/her locality and performs a variety of duties, which include:
- faithful implementation of all laws and ordinances;
- employment of certain city/town officials as needed to assist in the handling of the day-to-day affairs;
- reporting to the Council on the affairs of the city/town;
- keeping the Council fully advised of the city’s/town’s financial condition and its future financial needs;
- preparing an annual budget for review and approval by the Council;
- attending all Council meetings and performing such other duties as may be prescribed by the Council.
City/County Attorney
The City/Town Attorney serves as the chief legal advisor to the Council and is responsible for the drafting of local ordinances. In most municipalities, the city/town attorney is appointed by the City/Town Council. In some municipalities the attorney is appointed by the manager. Many municipalities retain an attorney in private practice to serve as the chief legal counsel.
City/County Treasurer
The Town Council is authorized to employ a Town Treasurer to collect all town taxes. Under most of the current city charters, the tax collection and assessment functions are performed by the Commissioner of the Revenue and the City Treasurer or by the Finance Director.
Director of Planning
The Director of Planning serves as the head of the Planning Department and is responsible for preparing various long-range plans in the areas of land use, transportation, and public facilities for consideration and adoption by the City/Town Council.
Director of Purchasing
The Director of Purchasing, as head of the Purchasing Department, is charged with maintaining a central storehouse of materials and supplies for the locality and with purchasing, by means of competitive bidding, items that are needed for governmental operations.
Director of Personnel
The Director of Personnel is responsible for recruiting and hiring personnel, as well as administering pay, classification, and merit plans. This official is also charged with preparing and implementing a personnel plan for his/her locality.
Director of Public Works
The Director of Public Works serves as the head of the Department of Public Works and is generally responsible for such projects as road and street construction and maintenance, solid waste collection and disposal, and street cleaning.
Chief of Police
The Chief of Police has the responsibility to maintain law and order in his/her community. In some Virginia cities, the Department of Police has been merged with the Fire Department into a Department of Public Safety.
The City/Town Manager, appointed by the City/Town Council, is the chief administrative officer of his/her locality and performs a variety of duties, which include:
- faithful implementation of all laws and ordinances;
- employment of certain city/town officials as needed to assist in the handling of the day-to-day affairs;
- reporting to the Council on the affairs of the city/town;
- keeping the Council fully advised of the city’s/town’s financial condition and its future financial needs;
- preparing an annual budget for review and approval by the Council;
- attending all Council meetings and performing such other duties as may be prescribed by the Council.
City/County Attorney
The City/Town Attorney serves as the chief legal advisor to the Council and is responsible for the drafting of local ordinances. In most municipalities, the city/town attorney is appointed by the City/Town Council. In some municipalities the attorney is appointed by the manager. Many municipalities retain an attorney in private practice to serve as the chief legal counsel.
City/County Treasurer
The Town Council is authorized to employ a Town Treasurer to collect all town taxes. Under most of the current city charters, the tax collection and assessment functions are performed by the Commissioner of the Revenue and the City Treasurer or by the Finance Director.
Director of Planning
The Director of Planning serves as the head of the Planning Department and is responsible for preparing various long-range plans in the areas of land use, transportation, and public facilities for consideration and adoption by the City/Town Council.
Director of Purchasing
The Director of Purchasing, as head of the Purchasing Department, is charged with maintaining a central storehouse of materials and supplies for the locality and with purchasing, by means of competitive bidding, items that are needed for governmental operations.
Director of Personnel
The Director of Personnel is responsible for recruiting and hiring personnel, as well as administering pay, classification, and merit plans. This official is also charged with preparing and implementing a personnel plan for his/her locality.
Director of Public Works
The Director of Public Works serves as the head of the Department of Public Works and is generally responsible for such projects as road and street construction and maintenance, solid waste collection and disposal, and street cleaning.
Chief of Police
The Chief of Police has the responsibility to maintain law and order in his/her community. In some Virginia cities, the Department of Police has been merged with the Fire Department into a Department of Public Safety.
LOCAL Boards
County School Board and School Superintendent
Public education in Virginia is provided through geographic districts known as school divisions which, with a few exceptions, coincide with the boundaries of the state’s counties and cities.
Counties, cities and two towns, West Point and Colonial Beach, support school districts. The Constitution of Virginia places the responsibility for the supervision of schools in each school division with a School Board. Prior to 1994 in counties operating under the traditional form of government, School Boards were either chosen by a School Board Selection Commission, appointed by the Circuit Court of the County, or by the Board of Supervisors. In all instances where counties functioned under one of the other forms of county government, School Board members were appointed by the Board of Supervisors. As a result of legislation adopted by the General Assembly in 1992, counties were authorized to establish a process whereby School Board members would be elected by the voters. A majority of counties have approved such an arrangement.
Most of Virginia’s cities also constitute school divisions, with those entities being served by School Boards and School Superintendents in the same manner as county school divisions. Prior to 1994, all the School Boards serving city school divisions were appointed by city council. However, as a result of the 1992 legislation, most of Virginia’s cities have established a process for the election of school board members.
School Board is responsible for the appointment of a division School Superintendent from a list of persons certified to be eligible for such a position by the State Board of Education. The School Superintendent is responsible for a variety of administrative and instructional functions, including the employment of teachers and the supervision of educational programs.
Planning Commission
Every county is required to have a Planning Commission advising the Board of Supervisors about its physical development including land use planning. The Commissions consists of between 5 and 15 members and are appointed by the Board of Supervisors. One member of the Commission may be a member of the Board of Supervisors, and one member may be an official serving in the administrative branch of county government. At least one half of the members of a Planning Commission must be property owners. Members of Planning Commissions serve four-year terms. Among the duties statutorily assigned to local Planning Commissions are those requiring the preparation of a comprehensive plan and a subdivision ordinance for review and approval by the Board of Supervisors.
Board of Zoning Appeals
Every county which enacts a zoning ordinance for purposes of regulating its physical development is required to have a Board of Zoning Appeals comprised of five or seven residents of the county. The members of the Board of Zoning Appeals, who serve five-year terms, typically are appointed by the Circuit Court of the county. A few Boards of Supervisors appoint the members of the local
Board of Zoning Appeals. The Board of Zoning Appeals is required to hear and decide appeals made by the county residents from decisions of county officials (e.g., zoning administrators) enforcing the terms of zoning ordinances. In instances where the Board of Zoning Appeals decides that the strict application of the terms of a zoning ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship, it may
grant a variance to the property owner.
Board of Social Services
Every county in Virginia is required to have a Board of Social Services (which may be entitled the Board of Public Welfare) whose members are designated by the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Social Services is responsible for the administration of various public welfare programs conducted within the county. The Board of Social Services may be comprised, at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors, of three or more county residents. Alternatively, under the Urban County Executive Form, the Board of Supervisors may designate the officer in charge of the administration of social service programs in the county as the “Board of Social Services.” Where this is done, the Board of Supervisors is required to appoint a committee to serve in an advisory capacity to that officer. Under the County Manager Plan, the Board of Supervisors is permitted to abolish the Board of Social Services and delegate its duties, authority, and powers to the county manager or any other officer of the county.
Board of Assessors
The determination of the value of real property in counties is generally undertaken by the Commissioner of the Revenue, by a professional assessor, or a Board of Assessors appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Assessors is also authorized to review requests by property owners for reconsideration of the assessed value assigned to their property. Many localities also maintain Boards of Equalization. Boards of Equalization consider taxpayer appeals. Depending upon the locality, Boards of Equalization are appointed by the Board of Supervisors or the Circuit Court. The reassessment of property for local tax purposes is Constitutionally mandated and may be accomplished annually or less frequently in accordance with the law. For example, Counties having a population of 50,000 or less may conduct general reassessments of their real property at five or six-year intervals.
Public education in Virginia is provided through geographic districts known as school divisions which, with a few exceptions, coincide with the boundaries of the state’s counties and cities.
Counties, cities and two towns, West Point and Colonial Beach, support school districts. The Constitution of Virginia places the responsibility for the supervision of schools in each school division with a School Board. Prior to 1994 in counties operating under the traditional form of government, School Boards were either chosen by a School Board Selection Commission, appointed by the Circuit Court of the County, or by the Board of Supervisors. In all instances where counties functioned under one of the other forms of county government, School Board members were appointed by the Board of Supervisors. As a result of legislation adopted by the General Assembly in 1992, counties were authorized to establish a process whereby School Board members would be elected by the voters. A majority of counties have approved such an arrangement.
Most of Virginia’s cities also constitute school divisions, with those entities being served by School Boards and School Superintendents in the same manner as county school divisions. Prior to 1994, all the School Boards serving city school divisions were appointed by city council. However, as a result of the 1992 legislation, most of Virginia’s cities have established a process for the election of school board members.
School Board is responsible for the appointment of a division School Superintendent from a list of persons certified to be eligible for such a position by the State Board of Education. The School Superintendent is responsible for a variety of administrative and instructional functions, including the employment of teachers and the supervision of educational programs.
Planning Commission
Every county is required to have a Planning Commission advising the Board of Supervisors about its physical development including land use planning. The Commissions consists of between 5 and 15 members and are appointed by the Board of Supervisors. One member of the Commission may be a member of the Board of Supervisors, and one member may be an official serving in the administrative branch of county government. At least one half of the members of a Planning Commission must be property owners. Members of Planning Commissions serve four-year terms. Among the duties statutorily assigned to local Planning Commissions are those requiring the preparation of a comprehensive plan and a subdivision ordinance for review and approval by the Board of Supervisors.
Board of Zoning Appeals
Every county which enacts a zoning ordinance for purposes of regulating its physical development is required to have a Board of Zoning Appeals comprised of five or seven residents of the county. The members of the Board of Zoning Appeals, who serve five-year terms, typically are appointed by the Circuit Court of the county. A few Boards of Supervisors appoint the members of the local
Board of Zoning Appeals. The Board of Zoning Appeals is required to hear and decide appeals made by the county residents from decisions of county officials (e.g., zoning administrators) enforcing the terms of zoning ordinances. In instances where the Board of Zoning Appeals decides that the strict application of the terms of a zoning ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship, it may
grant a variance to the property owner.
Board of Social Services
Every county in Virginia is required to have a Board of Social Services (which may be entitled the Board of Public Welfare) whose members are designated by the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Social Services is responsible for the administration of various public welfare programs conducted within the county. The Board of Social Services may be comprised, at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors, of three or more county residents. Alternatively, under the Urban County Executive Form, the Board of Supervisors may designate the officer in charge of the administration of social service programs in the county as the “Board of Social Services.” Where this is done, the Board of Supervisors is required to appoint a committee to serve in an advisory capacity to that officer. Under the County Manager Plan, the Board of Supervisors is permitted to abolish the Board of Social Services and delegate its duties, authority, and powers to the county manager or any other officer of the county.
Board of Assessors
The determination of the value of real property in counties is generally undertaken by the Commissioner of the Revenue, by a professional assessor, or a Board of Assessors appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Assessors is also authorized to review requests by property owners for reconsideration of the assessed value assigned to their property. Many localities also maintain Boards of Equalization. Boards of Equalization consider taxpayer appeals. Depending upon the locality, Boards of Equalization are appointed by the Board of Supervisors or the Circuit Court. The reassessment of property for local tax purposes is Constitutionally mandated and may be accomplished annually or less frequently in accordance with the law. For example, Counties having a population of 50,000 or less may conduct general reassessments of their real property at five or six-year intervals.