Part IV. Information, Data, and Factors Relative to Mandatory Commission Reviews
1VAC50-20-540. Annexation.
In developing its findings of fact and recommendations with respect to a proposed annexation, the commission shall consider the information, data, and factors listed in this section. Any city or town filing notice with the commission that it proposes to annex territory shall submit with the notice data and other evidence responsive to each element listed in this section that it deems relevant to the proposed annexation. Any voters or property owners filing notice pursuant to § 15.2-2907 of the Code of Virginia with the commission seeking annexation to a municipality shall submit with the notice data and other evidence responsive to each element listed in this section that they deem relevant to the proposed annexation, except that subdivision 1 of this section is required to be included in the notice filed with the commission.
1. A written metes and bounds description of the boundaries of the area proposed for annexation having, as a minimum, sufficient certainty to enable a layman to identify the proposed new boundary. The description may make reference to readily identifiable monuments such as public roads, rivers, streams, railroad rights of way, and similar discernible physical features.
2. A map showing (i) the boundaries of the area proposed for annexation and their geographic relationship to existing political boundaries; (ii) identifiable unincorporated communities; (iii) major streets, highways, schools, and other major public facilities; (iv) significant geographic features, including mountains and bodies of water; (v) existing uses of the land, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural; and (vi) information deemed relevant as to the possible future use of the property within the area sought for annexation.
3. A land-use table showing both the acreage and percentage of land currently devoted to the various categories of land use in the municipality, the county, and the area proposed for annexation.
4. The past, the estimated current, and the projected population of the municipality, the county affected by the proposed annexation, and the area of the county proposed for annexation.
5. The past, the estimated current, and the projected future number of public school students enrolled in the public schools and the number of school-age children living in the municipality, the county affected by the proposed annexation, and the area of the county proposed for annexation.
6. The assessed property values, by major classification, and if appropriate, the ratios of assessed values to true values for real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants' capital, and public service corporation property for the current year and the preceding 10 years for the municipality and the county affected by the proposed annexation, and similar data for the current year for the area of the county proposed for annexation.
7. The current local property and nonproperty tax rates and the tax rates for the preceding 10 years, applicable within the municipality, the county affected by the proposed annexation, and the area of the county proposed for annexation.
8. The estimated current local revenue collections and intergovernmental aid, the collections and aid for the previous 10 years, and projections of the collections and aid (including tax receipts from real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants' capital, business and professional license, consumer utility, and sales taxes) within the municipality, and the county affected by the proposed annexation, and similar data for the past year for the area of the county proposed for annexation.
9. The amount of long-term indebtedness and the purposes for which all long-term debt has been incurred by the municipality and the county affected by the proposed annexation.
10. The need in the area proposed for annexation for urban services, including those listed in this subdivision, the level of services provided by the municipality and by the county affected by the proposed annexation, and the ability of the municipality and the county to provide the services in the area proposed for annexation:
a. Sewage treatment;
b. Water;
c. Solid waste collection and disposal;
d. Public planning;
e. Subdivision regulation and zoning;
f. Crime prevention and detection;
g. Fire prevention and protection;
h. Public recreational facilities;
i. Library facilities;
j. Curbs, gutters, and sidewalks;
k. Storm drains;
l. Street lighting;
m. Snow removal;
n. Street maintenance;
o. Schools;
p. Housing; and
q. Public transportation.
11. Efforts made by the municipality and the county affected by the proposed annexation to comply with applicable state policies with respect to environmental protection, public planning, education, public transportation, housing, and other state service policies promulgated by the General Assembly.
12. The community of interest which (i) may exist between the municipality and the area proposed for annexation and its citizens and (ii) may exist between that area and its citizens and the rest of the county; the term "community of interest" may include consideration of natural neighborhoods, natural and manmade boundaries, the similarity of service needs, and economic and social bonds.
13. Any arbitrary prior refusal to cooperate by the governing body of the municipality or of the county affected by the proposed annexation, if such has occurred, to enter into cooperative agreements providing for joint activities that would have benefited citizens of both localities.
14. The need for the municipality to expand its tax resources, including its real estate and personal property tax base.
15. The need of the municipality to obtain land for industrial, commercial, and residential development.
16. The adverse effect on the county affected by the proposed annexation resulting from the loss of areas suitable and developable for industrial, commercial, or residential use.
17. The adverse effect on the county of the loss of tax resources and public facilities necessary to provide services to those persons in the remaining areas of the county after the proposed annexation.
18. The adverse impact of the proposed annexation on agricultural operations located in the area proposed for annexation.
19. The terms and conditions upon which the municipality proposes to annex, its plans for the improvement of the annexed territory during the 10-year period following annexation, including the extension of public utilities and other services, and the means by which the municipality shall finance the improvements and extension of services.
20. Data pertinent to a determination of the appropriate financial settlement between the municipality and the affected county as required by § 15.2-3211 of the Code of Virginia and other applicable provisions of the Code of Virginia.
21. The commission's staff shall endeavor to assist parties contemplating or involved in annexation proceedings by identifying additional data elements considered by the commission to be relevant in the disposition of annexation issues.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR445-01-02 § 4.1, eff. November 1, 1984; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006; Volume 35, Issue 1, eff. October 18, 2018.
1VAC50-20-550. Partial county immunity.
In developing its findings of fact and recommendations with respect to a proposed petition for partial immunity, the commission shall consider the information, data, and factors listed in this section. Any county filing notice with the commission that it proposes to seek immunity for a portion of its territory shall submit with the notice data and other evidence responsive to each element listed in this section that it deems relevant to the proposed petition for partial immunity.
1. A written metes and bounds description of the area for which immunity is sought having, as a minimum, sufficient certainty to enable a layman to identify the proposed immunity areas. The description may make reference to readily identifiable monuments such as public roads, rivers, streams, railroad rights of way, and similar discernible physical features.
2. A map or maps showing: (i) the boundaries of the area proposed for immunity and their geographic relationship to existing political boundaries; (ii) identifiable unincorporated communities; (iii) major streets, highways, schools, and other major public facilities; (iv) significant geographic features, including mountains and bodies of water; (v) existing uses of the land, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural; and (vi) information deemed relevant as to the possible future use of the property within the area for which immunity is sought.
3. A land-use table showing both the acreage and percentage of land currently devoted to the various categories of land use in the county, the affected city, and the area proposed for immunity.
4. The estimated current and projected population and population density of the areas for which immunity is sought.
5. The urban services, including but not limited to those listed below, provided in the area for which immunity is sought and the type and level of services in relation to those furnished by the city from which immunity is sought:
a. Sewage treatment;
b. Water;
c. Solid waste collection and disposal;
d. Public planning;
e. Subdivision regulation and zoning;
f. Crime prevention and detection;
g. Fire prevention and protection;
h. Public recreational facilities;
i. Library facilities;
j. Curbs, gutters, sidewalks;
k. Storm drains;
l. Street lighting;
m. Snow removal;
n. Street maintenance;
o. Schools;
p. Housing; and
q. Public transportation.
6. Efforts made by the county to comply with applicable state policies with respect to environmental protection, public planning, education, public transportation, housing, and other state service policies promulgated by the General Assembly.
7. The community of interest that: (i) may exist between the area for which immunity is sought and the remainder of the county; (ii) the community of interest which may exist between that area and the city from which immunity is sought; and (iii) the relative strength of the community of interests.
8. Any instance in which either the county or the affected city has arbitrarily refused to cooperate in the joint provision of services.
9. Whether the proposed grant of immunity would substantially foreclose a city of 100,000 population or less from expanding its boundaries by annexation.
10. The commission's staff shall endeavor to assist localities contemplating or involved in partial immunity proceedings by identifying the additional data elements considered by the commission to be relevant in the disposition of partial immunity issues.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR445-01-02 § 4.2, eff. November 1, 1984; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006.
1VAC50-20-560. Town-county agreements defining annexation rights.
In developing its findings of fact and recommendations with respect to a proposed town-county annexation agreement, the commission shall consider the information, data, and factors listed in this section. Any town or county presenting proposed annexation agreements to the commission under the provisions of § 15.2-3231 of the Code of Virginia shall submit with the proposed agreement data and other evidence responsive to each element listed in this section that it deems relevant.
1. A written metes and bounds description of those areas of the county made eligible for annexation under the proposed agreement having as a minimum, sufficient certainty to enable a layman to identify those areas. The description may make reference to readily identifiable monuments such as public roads, rivers, streams, railroad rights of way, and similar discernible physical features.
2. A map showing (i) the boundaries of the various areas eligible for annexation under the proposed agreement and their relationship to existing political boundaries; (ii) identifiable unincorporated communities; (iii) major streets, highways, schools, and other major public facilities; (iv) significant geographic features, including mountains and bodies of water; (v) existing uses of the land, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural; and (vi) information deemed relevant as to the possible future use of the property in the areas affected by the proposed agreement.
3. A land-use table showing both the acreage and percentage of land currently devoted to the various categories of land use in the town, the county, and the areas of the county affected by the agreement.
4. The past, the estimated current, and the projected population of the town, the county, and those areas of the county affected by the proposed agreement.
5. The past, the estimated current, and the projected number of public school students enrolled in the public schools and the number of school-age children living in the town, the county, and those areas of the county affected by the proposed agreement.
6. The assessed property values, by major classification and, if appropriate, the ratios of assessed values to true values for real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants' capital, and public service corporation property for the current and preceding 10 years for the town, and the county, and similar data for the current year in those areas of the county affected by the proposed agreement.
7. The need of the municipality to expand its tax resources, including its real estate and personal property tax base.
8. The need of the municipality to obtain land for industrial, commercial, and residential development.
9. The current and prospective need for additional urban services in the areas of its county subject to annexation under the agreement.
10. Plans for the immediate and future improvement of areas annexed under the terms of the agreement, including the extension of public utilities and other services.
11. The commission's staff shall endeavor to assist localities contemplating or involved in town-county agreements defining annexation rights by identifying additional data elements considered by the commission to be relevant in the disposition of the issues.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR445-01-02 § 4.3, eff. November 1, 1984; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006; Volume 35, Issue 1, eff. October 18, 2018.
1VAC50-20-570. Town incorporation.
In developing its findings of fact and recommendations with respect to a proposed town incorporation, the commission shall consider the information, data, and factors listed in this section. Parties filing notice with the commission that they propose to have a community incorporated as a town, or whose petition for incorporation has been referred to the commission by the court pursuant to § 15.2-3601 of the Code of Virginia, shall submit with such notice or subsequent to the court referral data and other evidence responsive to each element listed in this section that they deem relevant to the proposed incorporation.
1. A petition signed by not fewer than 100 duly qualified voters residing within the boundaries of the proposed town supporting the proposed incorporation.
2. A written metes and bounds description of the area proposed for incorporation as a town having, as a minimum, sufficient certainty to enable a layman to identify the proposed town boundary. The description may make reference to readily identifiable monuments such as public roads, rivers, streams, railroad rights of way, and similar discernible physical features.
3. A map showing (i) the boundaries of the proposed town and their relationship to existing political boundaries; (ii) identifiable unincorporated communities; (iii) major streets, highways, schools, and other major public facilities; (iv) significant geographic features, including mountains and bodies of water; and (v) existing uses of the land, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural.
4. A land-use table showing both the acreage and percentage of land currently devoted to the various categories of land use in the area proposed for incorporation.
5. The past, the estimated current, and the projected population of the area proposed for incorporation and the county within which the town would be situated.
6. Information indicating (i) why the proposed incorporation is desired and in the interest of the inhabitants; (ii) how the general good of the community is served by the incorporation; and (iii) why the services needed within the proposed town cannot be provided by the establishment of a sanitary district, through the extension of existing county services, or by other arrangements provided by law.
7. The commission shall endeavor to assist communities contemplating or involved in proposed town incorporations by identifying additional data elements considered by the commission to be relevant in the disposition of incorporation issues.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR445-01-02 § 4.4, eff. November 1, 1984; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006; Volume 35, Issue 1, eff. October 18, 2018.
1VAC50-20-580. Town-city transitions.
In developing its findings of fact and recommendations with respect to a proposed town to city transition, the commission shall consider the information, data, and factors listed in this section. Any town filing notice with the commission that it proposes to become a city shall submit with the notice data and other evidence responsive to each element listed in this section that it deems relevant to the proposed transition.
1. A written metes and bounds description of the boundaries of the proposed city having, as a minimum, sufficient certainty to enable a layman to identify the proposed city boundary. The description may make reference to readily identifiable monuments such as public roads, rivers, streams, railroad rights of way, and similar discernible physical features.
2. A map or maps showing: (i) the boundaries of the proposed city and their geographic relationship to existing political boundaries; (ii) identifiable unincorporated communities; (iii) major streets, highways, schools, and other major public facilities; (iv) significant geographic features, including mountains and bodies of water; (v) existing uses of the land, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural; and (vi) information deemed relevant as to the possible future use of the property within the proposed city.
3. A land-use table showing both the acreage and percentage of land currently devoted to the various categories of land use in the proposed city.
4. The past, the estimated current, and the projected population of the proposed city and the county affected by the proposed transition.
5. The past, the estimated current, and the projected future number of public school students enrolled in the public schools and the number of school-age children living in the proposed city and the county affected by the proposed transition.
6. The assessed values, by major classification and, if appropriate, the ratios of assessed values to true values for real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants' capital, and public service corporation property for the current year and the preceding 10 years for the county and within the proposed city.
7. The current local property and nonproperty tax rates, and the tax rates for the preceding 10 years, applicable within the county and the proposed city.
8. The estimated current local revenue collections and intergovernmental aid, the collections and aid for the previous 10 years, and projections of the collections and aid, including tax receipts from real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants' capital, business and professional license, consumer utility and sales taxes, within the county and the proposed city.
9. The amount of long-term indebtedness and the purposes for which that long-term debt has been incurred by the municipality and the county affected by the proposed transition.
10. The current type and level of urban services provided by the town, the additional services to be provided and the additional costs to be borne by the proposed city, and the means by which the proposed city shall finance the additional services and costs.
11. The fiscal capacity of the town to function as an independent city and to provide appropriate urban services.
12. The effect and impact of the proposed transition on the ability of the county to meet the service needs of its remaining population and the means by which any substantial impairment of the county's ability to meet those needs shall be offset.
13. The effect of the proposed transition on compliance with and the promotion of applicable state policies with respect to environmental protection, public planning, education, public transportation, housing, and other state service policies declared by the General Assembly.
14. Data pertinent to a determination of the appropriate financial settlement as required by § 15.2-3829 and other applicable provisions of the Code of Virginia.
15. The commission's staff shall endeavor to assist localities contemplating or involved in town-city transition proceedings by identifying additional data elements considered by the commission to be relevant in disposition of town to city transition issues.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR445-01-02 § 4.5, eff. November 1, 1984; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006.
1VAC50-20-590. County-city transitions.
In developing its findings of fact and recommendations with respect to a proposed county to city transition, the commission shall consider the information, data, and factors listed in this section. Any county filing notice with the commission that it proposes to become a city shall submit with the notice data and other evidence responsive to each element listed in this section that it deems relevant to the proposed transition.
1. A map showing (i) the location of all towns situated within the county; (ii) all adjoining and adjacent localities; (iii) identifiable unincorporated communities within the county; (iv) the population density of the various areas of the county; (v) the areas of the county served by urban services; (vi) major streets, highways, schools, and other major public facilities; (vii) significant geographic features, including mountains and bodies of water; (viii) existing uses of the land, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural; and (ix) information deemed relevant as to the possible future use of the property within the county.
2. A land-use table showing both the acreage and percentage of land currently devoted to the various categories of land use in the county.
3. The past, the estimated current, and the projected future population of the county, each town within the county, and of the major densely populated unincorporated communities within the county.
4. The past, the estimated current, and the projected future number of public school students enrolled in the public schools and the number of school-age children living in the county and in each town within the county.
5. The assessed values, by major classification and if appropriate, the ratios of assessed values to true values for real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants' capital, and public service corporation property for the current year and the preceding 10 years for the county and each town within the county.
6. The current local property and nonproperty tax rates, and the tax rates for the preceding 10 years, within the county and all towns within the county.
7. The estimated current local revenue collections and intergovernmental aid, the collections and aid for the previous 10 years, and projections of the collections and aid (including tax receipts from real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants' capital, business and professional license, consumer utility, and sales taxes) within the county and within each town within the county.
8. The amount of long-term indebtedness of the county and each town within the county and the amount and purpose for which that debt has been incurred.
9. Data regarding (i) the urban-type services presently provided by the county; (ii) the level of those services; (iii) the areas of the county served by those services; (iv) the additional services to be provided and the additional cost to be borne by the proposed city; and (v) the means by which the proposed city shall finance the additional services and costs.
10. The fiscal capacity of the county to function as an independent city and to provide appropriate services.
11. The impact of the proposed transition on compliance with and the promotion of applicable state policies with respect to environmental protection, public planning, education, public transportation, housing, and other state service policies declared by the General Assembly.
12. The commission's staff shall endeavor to assist localities contemplating or involved in proposed county-city transitions by identifying additional data elements considered by the commission to be relevant in the disposition of county to city transition issues.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR445-01-02 § 4.6, eff. November 1, 1984; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006; Volume 35, Issue 1, eff. October 18, 2018.
1VAC50-20-600. Boundary line adjustment.
In developing its findings of fact and recommendations with respect to a proposed boundary line adjustment, the commission shall consider the information, data, and factors listed in this section. The localities petitioning for a boundary line adjustment under the provisions of § 15.2-3109 of the Code of Virginia shall, separately or jointly, at the time they initiate such petition to the court, submit to the commission data and other evidence responsive to each element listed in this section that is relevant to the boundary line adjustment.
1. A written metes and bounds description of the precise segment of the boundary for which an adjustment is sought having, as a minimum, sufficient certainty to enable a layman to identify the boundary segment in question. The description may make reference to readily identifiable monuments such as public roads, rivers, streams, railroad rights of way, and similar discernible physical features.
2. A map or maps showing: (i) the precise segment of the boundary that the parties agree should be adjusted; (ii) identifiable unincorporated communities; (iii) major streets, highways, schools, and other major public facilities; (iv) significant geographic features, including mountains and bodies of water; (v) existing uses of the land, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural; and (vi) information deemed relevant as to the possible future use of the land.
3. The estimated past, the estimated current, and the projected future population and population density of all areas adjacent to the segment of the boundary proposed for adjustment and of other areas possibly affected by the proposed boundary line adjustment.
4. A land-use table showing both the acreage and percentage of land currently devoted to the various categories of land use in all areas adjacent to the segment of the boundary proposed for adjustment and in other areas possibly affected by the proposed boundary line adjustment.
5. The past, the estimated current, and the projected future number of public school students enrolled in the public schools and the number of school-age children living in all areas adjacent to the segment of the boundary proposed for adjustment and in other areas possibly affected by the proposed boundary line adjustment.
6. The assessed and true real property values, by major classification of those areas adjacent to the segment of the boundary proposed for adjustment and of any other area possibly affected by the proposed adjustment and other fiscal data relative to the issue.
7. Maps indicating the principal alternative boundary line adjustments which have been considered by the parties and a brief statement as to how each alternative adjustment would promote the effective and efficient provision of public services.
8. Information as to why the proposed boundary line adjustment is sought by the parties.
9. The commission's staff shall endeavor to assist localities contemplating or involved in proposed boundary line adjustments by identifying additional data elements considered by the commission to be relevant in the disposition of boundary line adjustment issues.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR445-01-02 § 4.7, eff. November 1, 1984; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006.
1VAC50-20-601. City-town transitions.
In developing its findings of fact and recommendations with respect to a proposed transition of a city to town status, the commission shall consider the information, data, and factors listed in this section. Any city filing notice with the commission that it proposes to become a town or any petition for the transition of a city to town status that has been referred to the commission by the court pursuant to § 15.2-4104 of the Code of Virginia should be accompanied by data and other evidence responsive to each element listed in this section that is relevant to the proposed transition.
1. Map or maps showing (i) the boundaries of the city proposed for transition and their geographic relationship to other political boundaries; (ii) identifiable unincorporated communities; (iii) major streets, highways, schools, and other major public facilities; (iv) significant geographic features, including mountains and bodies of water; (v) existing uses of the land within the city, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural; and (vi) information deemed relevant as to the possible future use of the land within the city.
2. The past, the estimated current, and the projected future population and population of the city and the county affected by the proposed transition, and the estimated density of the city and the affected county.
3. A land-use table showing both the acreage and percentage of land currently devoted to the various categories of land use in the city and the county affected by the proposed transition.
4. The past, the estimated current, and a five-year projection of the future number of public school students enrolled in the public schools and the number of school-age children living in the city and the county affected by the proposed transition.
5. The assessed values, by major classification for real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants' capital, and public service corporation property for the current year and the preceding 10 years for the city and for the county affected by the proposed transition.
6. The current local property and nonproperty tax rates, and the rates for the preceding 10 years, applicable within the city and the county affected by the proposed transition.
7. The estimated current local revenue collections (including receipts from real property, personal property, machinery and tools, consumer utility, sales taxes, etc., and receipts from nontax sources) and intergovernmental aid, and the collections and aid for the preceding 10 years, for the city and the county affected by the proposed transition.
8. The identification of those services performed by the city that are proposed for assumption by the county as a result of the proposed transition, the number of customers or recipients of each service within the city that would be served by the county subsequent to the transition, and the aggregate annual cost to the county for the provision of services within the city.
9. The identification of those services that would be provided by the town subsequent to the proposed reversion, the number of recipients of each service within the municipality, and the aggregate annual cost to the proposed town for the provision of services.
10. The identification of those city-owned facilities that are proposed for transfer to the county, the identification of those that would be retained by the proposed town, and the current fair market value and the outstanding city debt attributable to each facility.
11. The current outstanding debt of the city, the applicable portion of debt stated as a percentage of the city's constitutional debt limit, and the current schedule for the retirement of all municipal debt.
12. The identification of that portion of the city's indebtedness that is proposed for transfer to the county and the purposes for which the debt has been incurred.
13. Estimates of the annual amount of tax and nontax revenues to be collected by the county within the municipality subsequent to the proposed transition.
14. Estimates of the annual additional amount of intergovernmental aid to be received by the county as a result of the proposed transition.
15. An estimate of the net aggregate fiscal impact of the proposed transition on the county during the initial year subsequent to the transition and during each of the ensuing five years.
16. An estimate of the adjustment required in the county's real property tax rate, assuming that the net aggregate fiscal impact on the county resulting from the transition is addressed solely by an adjustment in the rate.
17. An estimate of the net aggregate fiscal impact of the proposed transition on the city during the initial year subsequent to the transition and during each of the ensuing five years.
18. An estimate of the adjustment required in the municipality's real property tax rate, assuming that the net aggregate fiscal impact on the city resulting from the transition is addressed solely by an adjustment in the rate.
19. The effect of the proposed transition on compliance with and the promotion of applicable state policies with respect to environmental protection, public planning, education, public transportation, housing, and other state service policies declared by the General Assembly.
20. Specification of the terms and conditions that should be established by the court to balance the equities between the city and the county; protect the best interests of the affected localities, their residents, and the Commonwealth; and ensure an orderly transition of the city to town status.
21. The commission's staff shall endeavor to assist the parties involved in proceedings for the transition of a city to town status by identifying additional data elements considered by the commission to be relevant in the disposition of city to town transition issues.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006.
1VAC50-20-605. County-city consolidations.
In developing its findings of fact and recommendations with respect to a proposed consolidation of a county and a city that would establish an independent city, the commission shall consider the information, data, and factors listed in this section. Local governments filing notice proposing the consolidation of a city and a county to establish an independent city, or any committee of citizens that has been appointed by the circuit court to act for and in lieu of a governing body to perfect a consolidation agreement pursuant to § 15.2-3531 of the Code of Virginia shall, separately or jointly, submit to the commission data and other evidence responsive to each element listed in this section that they deem relevant to the proposed consolidation.
1. Copy of the consolidation agreement.
2. A map showing (i) the location of all municipalities situated within the proposed consolidated city; (ii) all adjoining and adjacent localities; (iii) identifiable unincorporated communities within the proposed consolidated city; (iv) major streets, highways, schools, and other major public facilities; (v) significant geographic features, including mountains and bodies of water; (vi) existing uses of the land, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural; and (vii) information deemed relevant as to the possible future use of the property within the proposed consolidated city and as to its future viability.
3. The past, the estimated current, and the projected population of each locality proposing to consolidate.
4. The population density of the proposed consolidated city based on the most recent United States decennial census or as estimated by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia.
5. A land-use table showing both the acreage and percentage of land currently devoted to the various categories of land use in the proposed consolidated city.
6. The estimated current and a five-year projection of the future number of public school students enrolled in the public schools in each locality proposing to consolidate and the number of school-age children living in the proposed consolidated city.
7. The assessed values, by major classification for real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants' capital, and public service corporation property for the current year and the preceding 10 years for the county and the city proposing to consolidate and the proposed consolidated city.
8. The estimated local property and nonproperty tax rates that will be applicable within the proposed consolidated city.
9. The estimated local revenue collections including tax receipts from real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants' capital, business and professional license, consumer utility, and sales taxes and intergovernmental aid, such collections and aid for the preceding 10 years, and projections of the collections and aid within each of the localities proposing to consolidate.
10. The amount of long-term indebtedness of each of the localities proposing to consolidate and the amount and purpose for which that debt has been incurred.
11. Data regarding (i) the urban-type services presently provided by each of the localities proposing to consolidate, (ii) the level of those services to be provided in the proposed consolidated city, (iii) the additional services to be provided and the additional cost to be borne by the proposed consolidated city, and (iv) the means by which the proposed consolidated city shall finance the additional services and costs.
12. The fiscal capacity of the proposed consolidated city to function as an independent city and to provide appropriate services.
13. The impact of the proposed consolidation on compliance with and the promotion of applicable state policies with respect to environmental protection, public planning, education, public transportation, housing, and other state service policies declared by the General Assembly.
14. The impact of the proposed consolidation on the interest of the Commonwealth in promoting strong and viable units of government in the area.
15. The commission's staff shall endeavor to assist the parties involved in proceedings for the consolidation of a county and a city that would establish an independent city by identifying additional data elements considered by the commission to be relevant in the disposition of city-county consolidation issues.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 1, eff. October 18, 2018.
1VAC50-20-610. Voluntary settlement agreements.
In developing its findings of fact and recommendations with respect to a proposed agreement developed under the authority of § 15.2-3400 of the Code of Virginia, the commission shall consider the information, data, and factors listed in this section. Local governments submitting a proposed agreement for review shall, separately or jointly, submit to the commission data and other evidence responsive to each element listed in this section that they deem relevant to the proposed voluntary settlement agreement.
1. If the agreement proposes a municipal boundary expansion, submissions should include data and evidence responsive to the relevant provisions of 1VAC50-20-540.
2. If the agreement proposes the immunization of areas of a county from annexation or the incorporation of new cities, submissions should include data and evidence responsive to the relevant provisions of 1VAC50-20-550.
3. If the agreement proposes the incorporation of a town, submissions should include data and evidence responsive to the relevant provisions of 1VAC50-20-570.
4. If the agreement proposes the transition of a town to city status, submissions should include data and evidence responsive to the relevant provisions of 1VAC50-20-580.
5. If the agreement proposes the transition of a county to city status, submissions should include data and evidence responsive to the relevant provisions of 1VAC50-20-590.
6. If the agreement proposes the transition of a city to town status, submissions should include data and evidence responsive to the relevant provisions of 1VAC50-20-601.
7. If the agreement proposes a revenue-sharing plan or similar arrangement by which jurisdictions will share the tax or revenue sources of an area, submissions should include:
a. A description of the plan;
b. Calculations indicating for each locality the projected future contributions to the plan for the next five-year period;
c. Each locality's projected net annual receipts or net annual contributions to the plan for the next five-year period;
d. Each locality's annual expenditures for the past five years and its projected annual expenditures for the next five years by general operating, school, and debt service categories;
e. Each locality's real estate and public service corporation property assessed values for the past five years and projected for the next five-year period;
f. Each locality's annual revenue for the past five years and projected for the next five-year period (exclusive of receipts from or payments to the economic growth sharing plan) by source and type;
g. Each locality's anticipated major capital needs for the next five-year period; and
h. Other information indicating the general equity of the proposed plan for each participating locality.
8. The commission's staff shall endeavor to assist localities contemplating or involved in the development of voluntary settlement agreements under the authority of § 15.2-3400 of the Code of Virginia by identifying additional data elements considered by the commission to be relevant to the commission's review of such agreements.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR445-01-02 § 4.8, eff. November 1, 1984; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006.
1VAC50-20-612. Voluntary economic growth-sharing agreements.
In developing its findings of fact and recommendations with respect to a proposed voluntary economic growth-sharing agreement developed under the authority of § 15.2-1301 of the Code of Virginia, the commission shall consider the information, data, and factors listed in this section. Local governments submitting such a proposed agreement for review shall, separately or jointly, submit to the commission data and other evidence responsive to each element listed in this section that they deem relevant to the proposed agreement.
1. A copy of the proposed agreement and a description of the economic growth-sharing plan.
2. A description of the financial investment or other contributions which each participating locality will make to the project(s) envisaged under the agreement.
3. Projections of each participating locality's net annual receipts or net annual contributions to the project(s) specified in the agreement for the next 10-year period, or for a lesser or greater period as deemed appropriate.
4. A description of any dedication or restriction on the use of funds generated by the project(s) specified in the agreement for the participating localities.
5. Calculations indicating the estimated impact of the project(s) proposed in the agreement on the annual operating expenditures of each participating jurisdiction for the next 10-year period, or for a lesser or greater period as deemed appropriate.
6. Calculations indicating the estimated impact of the project(s) proposed in the agreement on the current and prospective capital expenditures of each participating jurisdiction over the course of the next 10-year period, or over a lesser or greater period as deemed appropriate.
7. Calculations indicating the estimated impact of the project(s) proposed in the agreement on the debt and annual debt service of each participating jurisdiction over the course of the next ten 10-year period, or over the course of a lesser or greater period as deemed appropriate.
8. Information indicating the general equity of the proposed plan for each participating locality.
9. Other information which would assist the commission in analyzing the "probable effect on the people" in the participating jurisdictions of the proposed agreement.
10. The commission's staff shall endeavor to assist localities contemplating or involved in the development of voluntary economic growth-sharing agreements under the authority of § 15.2-1301 of the Code of Virginia by identifying additional data elements considered by the commission to be relevant to the commission's review of such agreements.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006.
1VAC50-20-614. Determination of continued eligibility for city status.
In undertaking its investigation with respect to whether a city continues to meet the requirements for city status as prescribed by Article VII, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia, the commission shall consider the information and data listed in this section. Any city subject to investigation as prescribed by Chapter 40 (§ 15.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia shall be requested to submit information and data responsive to each element listed in this section and any other information and data as the city deems relevant to the continued eligibility for city status.
1. Any official correspondence with the United States Bureau of the Census regarding the accuracy of the most recent United States decennial census of the population of the city under investigation.
2. Any data or other evidence produced by the city under investigation or any other entity bearing on the accuracy of the most recent United States decennial census of the population of the city under investigation.
3. Any data or other evidence produced by the city under investigation or any other entity indicating the current population and projected future population of the city under investigation.
4. Contingent upon the commission's findings with respect to the population of the city under investigation, a listing of all of the city's assets, liabilities, rights, and obligations.
5. The commission's staff shall endeavor to assist the city under investigation by identifying additional data elements considered by the commission to be relevant to the continued eligibility for city status.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 1, eff. October 18, 2018.
1VAC50-20-616. Order defining a town's future annexation rights.
In developing its order defining the future annexation rights of a town pursuant to § 15.2-3234 of the Code of Virginia, the commission shall consider the information, data, and factors listed in this section. Any petition referred to the commission requesting an order establishing a town's future annexation rights should be accompanied by data and other evidence responsive to each element listed in this section that the town deems relevant to the issue.
1. Information regarding the inability of the town and the county to reach a voluntary agreement as to the future annexation rights of the town.
2. Terms and conditions of a proposed order establishing the town's future annexation rights.
3. Data and evidence responsive to the relevant provisions of 1VAC50-20-540.
4. The commission's staff shall endeavor to assist localities involved in proceedings concerning an order defining a town's future annexation rights by identifying additional data elements considered by the commission to be relevant in the disposition of such issues.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006.