Subject:
Title
Request to set a public hearing to receive public comment on proposed amendments to Part 1 of the Town Charter, Chapter 3, Elections, related to the General Assembly’s recent legislation to set all local elections in November; and, to also consider modifications to terms of office to accommodate the November election date, and consideration of possible longer or un-staggered terms of office.
Body
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
At the 2021 General Assembly session, the General Assembly passed legislation that requires all local elections to occur on the date of the November general elections. The Vienna Town Council currently serves two year, staggered terms with an election held every May. Under the new Virginia legislation, elections will need to occur in November. There are numerous options available related to shifting the elections to November, including shifting to concurrent elections, changing the terms and holding the elections only on the odd years to coincide with other local and state elections.
The following options summarized below, as well as other options proposed at the public hearing, will be open for discussion and public input:
1. Candidates running in November 2022 would serve an initial 3-year term, 2023 candidates would run for a 4-year term, then all elections would be staggered in odd years thereafter; or
2. Extend the current 2022 election terms to November 2023, and add those offices to those that are scheduled for the November 2023 election, and then all Town Council candidates would run together thereafter for 2-year terms; or
3. Candidates in the November 2022 election would run for an initial 3-year term; Candidates in the 2023 election would run for a 2-year term; thereafter beginning in 2025, all candidates would run together for 2-year terms
At the public hearing, interested persons will be given an opportunity to provide comment and input regarding the above. The Town Council will consider the listed options, options as modified, as well as additional options suggested at the public hearing.
Strategic Plan Initiative:
Board or Commission of Interest:
Departmental Recommendation: Recommend setting a public hearing.
Finance Recommendation: N/A
Purchasing Recommendation: N/A
Town Attorney Recommendation: The Town Council must conduct a public hearing if it wishes to adopt a Resolution requesting the General Assembly to consider Amendments to the Town Charter. The Town Council may set a public hearing in its discretion.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council set a public hearing for November 15, 2021 at the regular meeting of the Town Council, as presented.
Cost and Financing:
Account Number:
Decision Needed by This date:
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to set a public hearing for Nov. 15, 2021, at the regular meeting of the Town Council, to receive public input on proposed amendments to Part 1 of the Town Charter, Chapter 3, Elections, to consider the General Assembly’s recent legislation to set all local elections in November; and, to also consider modifications to terms of office to accommodate the November election date, and consideration of possible longer or un-staggered terms of office"
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.