Ashland Citizen Leadership Academy Local Government Organization Ashland Citizen Leadership Academy

Welcome! Almost 90,000 units of local government in the United States No level of government plays a more active role in our daily lives than local Thank you for taking the time to learn about your community

The Center of the Universe

Joshua Farrar, ICMA-CM Appointed 10/25/2016 as Interim Town Manager of Ashland Served for ten years as Assistant Town Manager/Deputy Town Manager Previously served as Assistant to the City Administrator in Prairie Village, KS. 13 years experience in local government International City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager Born in Leominster, MA and raised in Sterling, MA

Government 101 Federal Laws State Laws Constitution of Virginia (1971) Code of Virginia (15.2) Judicial Review (Federal and State) Town Charter (Granted by the Virginia General Assembly) Town Code www.town.ashland.va.us

COTU

COTU

COTU

Dillon Rule vs. Home Rule In Municipal Corporations (1872), Dillon explained that in contrast to the powers of states, which are unlimited but for express restrictions under the state or federal constitution, municipalities only have the powers that are expressly granted to them.

Dillon Rule Critics of the rule have argued that it imposes unreasonable constraints on the ability of communities to govern themselves and undermines democracy  or that local self-government is a matter of natural right that does not need to be conferred by higher political structures.

Home Rule Home rule involves the authority of a local government to prevent state  government intervention with its  operations.  The extent of its power however, is subject to  limitations prescribed by state  constitutions and statutes.

Home Rule When a municipality or other political  subdivision has the power to decide for  itself whether to follow a particular  course of action without receiving  specific approval from state officials,  it acts  pursuant to such powers.  

Unusual Features of Virginia Statewide pattern of city-county separation Fewer units of local government Fewer cities & less use of special districts No independent school divisions Fewer elected officials per capita Broader use of the council-manager plan, or variation, in cities, counties, & larger towns Greater reluctance to extend taxing powers to special-purpose governments

COTU

Forms of Local Government Towns vs. Cities Cities are independent geographically Towns are territorial subdivisions of the counties within which they are located Towns can perform the same municipal functions as cities, except that they do not have constitutional officers

Forms of Local Government In general, towns receive from the county services such as health, mental health, education, courts, and social services Town inhabitants pay taxes to the county as well as the town, and they vote in county elections.

Forms of Local Government Towns cannot levy sales taxes but share county sales tax revenues Town annexations, unlike city annexations, do not remove territory from the county This town-county arrangement is similar to the city-county relationship found in other states The fact that town and county responsibilities overlap can lead to ambiguity and even conflict

COTU

What can the citizens expect from their town government? Land Use Kinds of Services Levels of Services Taxing & Borrowing

Forms of Local Government Differences between mayor-council & council-manager forms of governments Required duties of a manager

Mayor-Council Several of the Commonwealth’s smaller communities utilize this form of government where the Mayor serves as the chief administrative officer (VA Code § 15.2-1423) Council Committee Structure oversees daily administration above and beyond policy implementation and planning responsibilities

Council-Manager Council-manager government combines the strong political leadership of elected officials with the strong managerial experience of an appointed manager or administrator. All power and authority to set policy rests with an elected governing body, which includes a mayor or chairperson and members of the council, commission, or board. The governing body in turn hires a nonpartisan professional manager who has very broad authority to run the organization.

What is a Town Manager? Are you the Mayor?

Council-Manager Every community is different. Factors such as population, level of public services, size of staff and unique local conditions contribute to the expectations of council for the manager. VA Code §15.2-1541 details the required duties for a town manager. Town Manager works at the pleasure of the Council

Council-Manager See that within the city or town the laws ordinances, resolutions, and bylaws of the council are faithfully executed Attend all meetings of the council and recommend for adoption such measures as the manager deems expedient Make reports to the council from time to time upon the affairs of the city or town

Council-Manager Keep the council fully advised of the city’s or town’s financial condition and its future financial needs Prepare and submit to the council a proposed budget for the fiscal year Execute the budget as finally adopted by the council

COTU

Council-Manager Appoint all officers and employees of the locality, except as he or she may authorize the head of an office, department, and board responsible to the manager to appoint subordinates Perform any other duties prescribed by the council that are not in conflict with the foregoing

Council-Manager ICMA Code of Ethics www.icma.org Town Manager is a facilitator of policy and ideas An effective manager should be able to implement and communicate council’s vision for the community

Town Council 5 elected at-large members Staggered May elections in even numbered years (3 & 2 seats) Mayor and Vice-Mayor elected by Town Council members at an organizational meeting held in July after each election Council appoints Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Town Clerk

Town Council Sets Policy for the Town of Ashland Appoints members to the Planning Commission, Economic Development Authority, Parks and Recreation Committee, Board of Zoning Appeals, and other ad hoc committees as needed

COTU

Town-County relations Town-County Liaison Committee Staff work jointly on strategic issues such as economic development, tourism, and other topics County provides town residents public schools, public utilities, building inspectors office, fire marshal, assessor's office, registrar's office, parks and recreation, and transfer station access Town Manager and County Administrator relationship

Regional Participation Richmond Regional Planning District Commission richmondregional.org Richmond Regional Transportation Organization Pamunkey Regional Jail Authority Capital Region Collaborative

Commonwealth of Virginia General Assembly Governor’s Office Department of Environmental Quality - DEQ, Health Department - VDH, VA Department of Transportation - VDOT, Department of Housing and Community Development - DHCD, Department of Rail and Public Transportation DRPT, etc.

Federal Government House & Senate Executive Branch Environmental Protection Agency - EPA, Department of Transportation - DOT, Federal Railroad Administration - FRA, etc.

Challenges for Local Gov’t Local governments are increasingly being asked to do more with less. Federal and state support is declining. Citizens are demanding a more caring, responsive government. New technology is revolutionizing communication.

COTU – Est. 1858

Helpful Websites hanovercounty.gov vml.org – Virginia Municipal League vaco.org – VA Assoc. of Counties Virginia.gov icma.org coopercenter.org - UVA

Website & Social Media www.town.ashland.va.us Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Flickr

Questions?

The Gap Between Politics and Administration Understanding the Theoretical Role of the Town Manager

Two Important Concepts Political acceptability The willingness of elected leaders, as representatives of the community, to accept a specific program, policy, or project. Administrative Sustainability Need for programs, policies, and projects to be efficiently maintained for the long term

Questions?