Subject:
Title
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
4. Other possible terms of office such as staggered, unstaggered; some members with 2- year terms and some with 4-year terms; even year or odd year terms; and associated first-term adjustments to accomplish the goal.
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 and additional options suggested at the public hearing.
Strategic Plan Initiative:
Board or Commission of Interest:
Departmental Recommendation:
Finance Recommendation: N/A
Purchasing Recommendation: N/A
Town Attorney Recommendation: The Town Council must conduct a Public Hearing if wishes to adopt a Resolution requesting the General Assembly to consider amending the Charter of the Town of Vienna.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council approve a Resolution requesting the General Assembly at its upcoming 2022 term to amend the current Town Charter to amend the election terms of the members of the Vienna Town Council, as presented.
Cost and Financing: N/A
Account Number: N/A
Decision Needed by This date: 11/15/21
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to approve a Resolution requesting the General Assembly at its upcoming 2022 term to amend the current Town Charter to amend the election terms of the members of the Vienna Town Council as follows:
(to be determined after the Public Hearing and further deliberation of the Town Council)
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.