Evening star., 1942-02-26
Draft Of Charter
For Arlington
IsConnp|eted
Proposed City Plans
Provisions Revealed
By Legislators
BY ALEXANDER PRESTON.
Star Staff Correspondent.

of about 10000 inhabitants, subject
to referendum by county voters
were announced today by Delegate.
Charles r. Fenwick and Senator
William D. Medley of Arlington.
The enabling act, which will soor
be introduced by Mr.. Fenwick, ha.
been completed In rough draft anc
Is the elimination Of weeks Of work
by the two legislators, who have
been assisted by Commonwealth
Attorney Lawrence w. Douglas anc
Attorney Allen c. Adams of Arling-
ton.
Although it was disclosed in The
Star last week that the legislation
was being drafted, today is the first
time the provision of the charter
have been made known. The high
lights of the proposed city plan are: {:
Liable for County Debts.
The boundaries of the city would
conform with existing boundaries of
Arlington County. The city would
become liable for all outstanding
bonded Indebtedness and current
debts of the county and could sue
and be sued as corporate munic-
ipality. 1t would have all of the
municipal powers, functions and
privileges extended to cities of the
flrst class under general law.
After incorporation, the existing
ordinances Of Arlington County
would remain in force until they
were repealed by the governing
body of the city.
The city would retain all rights
1t has as a county with respect to
laws under which its water supply
and sewerage systems have been
and are being installed. All cur
rent. and delinquent tax funds and
school or other levies would be
turned over to the city. Existing
contracts made by the county for
materials and construction would
continue in force.
The public school system would
continue to function without change
and without regard to the general
law relating to cities of the first
class, except that the County School
Board would be known as the City
School Board.
City Council Of Five.
A city council of five members,
each elected at large, would be pro-
v1ded. The council each year would
elect a chairman who would become
ex-oflcio mayor. The mayor would
have the same voting powers as
other council members, but would
not have the veto power. With the
exception of the constitutionally
elected officers provided for all Vir-
ginia cities, council members would
be the only elected officials.
Members of the county board
would continue in office as council
members to serve out their terms.
Members Of the council would be
elected and would serve under rules
now provided for the county board.
In the event of a vacancy on the
council. the judge of the Circuit
Court would be required to order
an election if such a vacancy was
for more than a year of an unex-
pired term. The judge could make
a temporary appointment until the
vacancy was filled by election. Mem
bers of the council would be paid
$1,000 annually.
The Council would appoint a city
manager with regard to merit alone
who would not be required to be a
resident of the city or State at the
time of appointment. The Council
would fix his compensation and the
manager would serve as admins
traitor and executive head of the
city.
He would have the powers and
duties now vested in the county
manager. He would appoint all city
officials whose appointment is not
otherwise provided for in the
charter.
Budget Provisions.
The city manager would submit
an itemized report of all expendi-
lures made by him at each Council
meeting. Within IS days of the
close of the fiscal year the man.
ager would file with the clerk OF
the Council an itemized statement
Of expenditures for the fiscal year
His Office would expire December
81 each year, but he would be SUBJ
ject to removal by the Council at
any time for just cause.
On or before February Is each
year the city manager would submit
a budget of proposed expenditures
and revenues to the council, cover
ing the following fiscal year begin
ming July l.
"A brief synopsis of the budget"
would be published, and at least Is
days notice given of one or more
public hearings.
Failure of the council to adopt a
budget would result in the mana
gers budget becoming final.
The general law with respect to
levying taxes by councils of first
class cities would prevail. The levy
would be ordered by the council for
the ensuing fiscal year not later
than April 80.
Before tax levies could be in
creased, the amount of the increase
would be published at least 80 days
before imposition and public hear
ings would be set.
Operation of Courts.
The present Commonwealth At
torney, clerk of the court, county
sheriff, county treasurer and COM
missioner Of revenue would become
city officials except that the sheriff
would become a city sergeant. The
city of Arlington would continue
within the jurisdiction Of the present
Circuit Court, which would have
jurisdiction given other such courts
in cities under general law.
A corporation court would be Gre
ated and would have the same pow
srs provided for such tribunals under
general law and If. incorporation
should become effective while the
General Assembly Is not in session
the Office of corporation court Judge
would be filled as If q vacancy had
occurred.
The present county trial justice
Hnl1rt would hAcnyoe n riu;J apd NJ