Virginia Law

When any county, city, or town seeks to negotiate an agreement with one or more localities relative to annexation or partial immunity under the authority granted by § 15.2-2907 E of the Code of Virginia, it shall notify the commission, and copies of the notice shall be served on all adjacent localities. The notice to the commission shall be accompanied by satisfactory evidence that the governing body of the locality giving notice supports the negotiation. Local governments negotiating under the above referenced provision of law shall keep the commission advised of progress in the negotiations. If, after a hearing, the commission finds that none of the parties is willing to continue to negotiate, or if it finds that three months have elapsed with no substantial progress, it shall declare the negotiations to be terminated. Unless the parties agree otherwise, negotiations shall in any event terminate 12 months from the date notice was first given to the commission of the desire to negotiate. Once the commission has declared negotiations terminated, or upon the expiration of the 12 month negotiating term or any agreed extension thereof, no new notice to negotiate shall be filed by any party. Upon the request of the local governments negotiating under the authority of § 15.2-2907 E of the Code of Virginia, the commission, or its designee, may be requested to serve as mediator, and, in addition, the commission's staff and resources shall be available to assist the negotiating local governments. All expenses incurred by the commission and its staff in assisting with negotiations shall be borne by the parties initiating the negotiations unless otherwise agreed.