Virginia Law

Article 2. General Powers; County Manager Form.

The board of supervisors shall be the policy-determining body of the county and shall be vested with all rights and powers conferred on boards of supervisors by general law, consistent with the form of county organization and government herein provided.

Code 1950, § 15-307; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-625; 1997, c. 587.

The board may prohibit any act defined as a misdemeanor and prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth and provide a penalty for violations, to the end that the board may parallel by ordinance the criminal laws of this Commonwealth.

Code 1950, § 15-307.1; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-626; 1997, c. 587.

The board may inquire into the official conduct of any office or officer under its control, and investigate the accounts, receipts, disbursements and expenses of any county or district officer. For these purposes it may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths and require the production of books, papers and other evidence. Any witness who fails or refuses to obey any such lawful order of the board shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.

Code 1950, § 15-308; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-627; 1997, c. 587.

The board shall, as soon as its members are elected and take office, provide for the performance of all the governmental functions of the county and to that end shall provide for and set up all necessary departments of government, consistent with the provisions of the form of county organization and government herein provided.

Code 1950, § 15-309; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-628; 1997, c. 587.

Whenever it is not designated herein what officer or employee of the county shall exercise any power or perform any duty conferred upon or required of the county, or any officer thereof, by general law, then any such power shall be exercised or duty performed by that officer or employee of the county so designated by the board.

Code 1950, § 15-310; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-629; 1997, c. 587.

The board shall appoint a county manager and fix his compensation. He shall be the administrative head of the county government and shall devote his full time to the work of the county. He shall be appointed with regard to merit only, and need not be a resident of the county at the time of his appointment. No member of the board shall, during the time for which he has been elected, be appointed county manager, nor shall the managerial powers be given to a person who at the same time is filling an elective office.

Code 1950, § 15-311; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-631; 1997, c. 587.

The county manager shall not be appointed for a definite tenure, but may be removed at the pleasure of the board. If the board determines to remove the county manager, he shall be given, if he so demands, a written statement of the reasons alleged for the proposed removal and the right to a hearing thereon at a public meeting of the board prior to the date on which his final removal takes effect. Pending and during such hearing, the board may suspend him from the office, provided that the period of suspension is limited to thirty days. The board's action in suspending or removing the county manager shall not be subject to review.

Code 1950, § 15-312; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-632; 1997, c. 587.

In case of the absence or disability of the manager, the board may designate some responsible person to perform the duties of the office.

Code 1950, § 15-313; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-633; 1997, c. 587.

The county manager shall be responsible to the board for the proper administration of all the affairs of the county which the board has authority to control. To that end he shall appoint all officers and employees in the county's administrative service, except as otherwise provided in this form of county organization and government, and except as he authorizes the head of a department or office responsible to him to appoint subordinates in such department or office. All appointments shall be based on the ability, training and experience of the appointees which are relevant to the work which they are to perform.

Code 1950, § 15-314; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-634; 1997, c. 587.

All appointments made pursuant to § 15.2-612 shall be without definite term, unless for temporary service not to exceed twelve months. Any officer or employee of the county appointed by the manager, or upon his authorization, may be laid off, suspended or removed from office or employment either by the manager or the officer who appointed him.

Code 1950, § 15-315; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-635; 1997, c. 587.

As the administrative head of the county government for the board, the manager shall supervise the collection of all revenues, guard adequately all expenditures, secure proper accounting for all funds, safeguard the property of the county, exercise general supervision over all county institutions and agencies, and, with the board's approval, coordinate the various activities of the county and unify the management of its affairs.

He shall also:

1. Execute and enforce all board resolutions and orders and see that all laws of the Commonwealth required to be enforced through the board or other county officers subject to the board's control are faithfully executed.

2. Attend all meetings of the board and recommend such action as he deems expedient.

3. Subject to such limitations as made by general law, fix, with the board's approval, the compensation of all officers and employees whom he or a subordinate appoints or employs.

4. Submit to the board each year a proposed annual budget, with his recommendations, and execute the budget as finally adopted.

5. Make regular monthly reports to the board on administrative matters and keep the board fully advised as to the county's financial condition.

6. Examine regularly the books and papers of every officer and department of the county and report to the board the condition in which he finds them. He may order an audit of any office at any time.

7. Perform such other duties as the board imposes upon him.

Code 1950, § 15-317; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-637; 1997, c. 587.

The county manager shall be responsible to the board for the administration of the following activities:

1. The assessment of property for taxation and the preparation of the tax books;

2. The collection of taxes, fees and other revenues of the county;

3. The custody of and accounting for all public funds belonging to the county;

4. The procurement of goods, services, insurance and construction for the county;

5. The care of all county buildings;

6. The care and custody of all personal property of the county;

7. The construction and maintenance of county roads and bridges;

8. The administration of social service activities;

9. Public health work;

10. Such other activities of the county not specifically assigned to another officer or agency by this form of county organization and government or by other law.

Code 1950, § 15-318; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-638; 1997, c. 587.