board of supervisors
The Board of Supervisors constitutes the governing body of each Virginia County. They are responsible for establishing local public policy, raising local resources for the support of public programs, and acting through its appointed administrative officials to oversee the conduct of the county affairs. Number of supervisors may vary between 3-11 and may be elected from the county at large, from single member districts, or from a combination.
Board of Supervisors with the power to:
• prepare and approve the county budget;
• levy taxes and appropriate funds;
• audit claims against the county;
• issue warrants in settlement of all claims and accounts;
• construct and maintain county buildings;
• approve and enforce the county’s comprehensive plan and land use control ordinances;
• make and enforce ordinances for the health, safety, and welfare of county residents, as authorized by law; and
• provide for the care and treatment of indigent and physically handicapped county citizens.
governing structures
Generally speaking there are three types – county commission system; council-executive system and commission-administrator system - but Virginia has more.
• County Commission System (Traditional Form)
• County Executive Form (Albemarle and Prince William)
• County Manager (Henrico)
• County Board Form (Carroll, Russell and Scott)
• County Charter (Chesterfield, Roanoke, and James City)
• Urban County Executive Form (Fairfax)
• County Manager Plan (Arlington)
• County Commission System (Traditional Form)
• County Executive Form (Albemarle and Prince William)
• County Manager (Henrico)
• County Board Form (Carroll, Russell and Scott)
• County Charter (Chesterfield, Roanoke, and James City)
• Urban County Executive Form (Fairfax)
• County Manager Plan (Arlington)
County Commission (Traditional) System
The County Commission or Traditional system is utilized by most counties in Virginia. It is characterized by an elected Board of Supervisors responsible generally for the legislative and administrative affairs of the county. The Boards can be as few as 3 members or as many as 11. In addition, a County Administrator is usually appointed to assist in the daily administration of county affairs.
County executive form (Albemarle and prince William)
Created by legislature in 1932, the County Executive Form of government was designed to aid rapidly developing counties adopt a form better suited for their needs. Today only Prince William and Albemarle utilize this governing structure.
Under the County Executive Form of government, the position of County Executive is created. The County Executive is appointed by the Board of Supervisors but has increased administrative authority compared to County Administrator. County Executive does not have ability to hire and fire agency heads but makes recommendations to Board of Supervisors. In addition, an appointed Director of Finance replaces an elected Commissioner of Revenue and Treasurer.
Under the County Executive Form of government, the position of County Executive is created. The County Executive is appointed by the Board of Supervisors but has increased administrative authority compared to County Administrator. County Executive does not have ability to hire and fire agency heads but makes recommendations to Board of Supervisors. In addition, an appointed Director of Finance replaces an elected Commissioner of Revenue and Treasurer.
county manager (Henrico)
Also authorized in 1932, the County Manager Form of government it is similar but slightly different from County Executive Form. The County Manager has even stronger administrative authority than County Executive. Most notably the County Manager can hire and fire all department heads without Board of Supervisor approval. Henrico is the only county operating under the County Manager Form of government.
county board form (Carroll, Russell, and Scott)
Authorized in 1940, the County Board Form of government closely mirrors the traditional form, but unlike Traditional Form, County Board form REQURIES appointment of a County Administrator. (It is optional under Traditional Form). The County Board Form also requires one member of the Board of Supervisors to be elected at-large/county-wide with the other members elected from various districts. Currently Carroll, Russell and Scott Counties in Southwest Virginia operated under the County Board Form of government.
county charter (chesterfield, Roanoke and james city)
Since 1985, counties have had the option to seek a county charter and operate like a city. Chesterfield, James City and Roanoke are the only three counties that have elected this form of governance.
urban county executive form (Fairfax)
Authorized in 1960, and similar to County Executive Form , the Urban County Executive Form of government was designed to serve needs of heavily populated, urbanized areas. In order to exercise this form of governance a county must have a population in excess of 90,000. No new municipalities may be established within the county operating under the Urban County Executive Form of government, although towns located within the county may abandon their charters and elected be a part of the county. Under the Urban County Executive Form the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors is elected at-large. Only Fairfax County operates under an Urban County Executive Form of governance.
county manager plan (Arlington)
Not to be confused with County Manager FORM of government, the County Manager PLAN of government has been available since 1930 to any county with a population density of at least 500 people per square mile. This form of governance was intended for small, densely populated counties like Arlington which boats 212,000 residents in an area 26 sq. miles – more than 8,000 people per sq. mile. It is the smallest, self-governing county in the U.S.
Counties adopting the County Manager Plan are exempt from annexation by adjacent cities, unless the entire county is annexed and it must be approved by referendum of county voters.
Counties adopting the County Manager Plan are exempt from annexation by adjacent cities, unless the entire county is annexed and it must be approved by referendum of county voters.