Part VI. Investigations and Mediation
1VAC50-20-650. Statutorily invoked mediation in annexation immunity issues.
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.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR445-01-02 § 6.1, eff. November 1, 1984; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006.
1VAC50-20-660. Mediation of other interlocal issues.
The commission shall, at its discretion, accept for mediation interlocal issues presented to it by mutual agreement of the affected localities. Requests for commission mediation under this section should be made to the commission's offices in Richmond and should be accompanied by satisfactory evidence that the governing bodies of the affected localities agree to the request for mediation assistance. The requests should include a statement indicating the issue for which mediation is sought and any other information as would enable the commission to determine whether its mediation effort would be timely and appropriate. Where the requests for mediation are presented to the commission prior to the submission of formal notice of pending action as required by § 15.2-2907 of the Code of Virginia, the requests need not be accompanied by any of the statistical data or material required under Part IV (1VAC50-20-540 et seq.) of this chapter. However, if the commission agrees to mediate interlocal issues under this section, the local governments requesting the mediation shall assist the commission by providing data, material, and other information as the commission or the parties deem necessary.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR445-01-02 § 6.2, eff. November 1, 1984; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006.
1VAC50-20-670. Requested investigations and analyses.
The commission may, if it deems appropriate and within the capability of its resources, accept requests from local governments for the undertaking of investigations and analyses. Requests for investigations and analyses should be addressed to the commission's offices in Richmond and should include satisfactory evidence that the governing body of the locality initiating the request supports the proposed study. The request should also include a detailed statement of the issue giving rise to the request for the study, a statement of the extent to which the issue is of general interest to local governments in Virginia, a statement concerning the prospective benefits of a study, and other information as would aid the commission in its determination as to whether or not to undertake the requested study. Where the commission agrees to undertake a study under this section, the locality or localities requesting the study shall assist the commission and provide, to the extent possible, the data and material the commission or the parties deem necessary for the study. The commission shall render reports on such studies at such a time and in such a manner as it deems appropriate.
Statutory Authority
§ 15.2-2903 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR445-01-02 § 6.3, eff. November 1, 1984; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006.
1VAC50-20-680. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR445-01-02 §§ 7.1 to 7.3, eff. November 1, 1984; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006.