dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3800. Ordinance petitioning court for city status; appointment of special court.
Any town, except a town located within a county or any portion of a county granted immunity as provided by Chapter 33 (§ 15.2-3300 et seq.) from the incorporation of new cities within its boundaries, may, by ordinance passed by a recorded majority vote of all the members thereof, petition the circuit court for the county within which the town lies, alleging that the town meets the criteria set out in subsection A of § 15.2-3807, for an order granting city status to the town. The circuit court with which the petition is filed shall notify the Supreme Court, which shall appoint a special court to hear the case as prescribed by Chapter 30 (§ 15.2-3000 et seq.) of this title.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.1; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3801. Referendum.
Prior to the adoption of an ordinance petitioning the court for city status, the town council shall petition the court to order a referendum held within the town on the question of seeking city status. The provisions of § 24.2-684 shall govern the order for a referendum. The question on the ballot shall be:

"Shall the Town of ____________________ seek to become a city?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No."

If a majority of the electorate voting in the referendum vote "No," the town council shall not proceed in seeking city status. If a majority of the electorate voting in such referendum vote "Yes," the town council shall proceed as provided in § 15.2-3800.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.2; 1982, c. 181; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3802. Town and county agreement concerning proposed city.
No court proceedings shall be instituted until the governing bodies of the town and county have failed, in the sole opinion of the governing body of the town, to reach an agreement with respect to the proposed city. If the governing bodies reach an agreement, it shall be certified by order of the special court and a grant of city status shall be made upon a finding that the criteria set out in subsection A of § 15.2-3807 have been satisfied.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.2; 1982, c. 181; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3803. Notice of motion; service and publication; answer or other pleading.
At least thirty days before instituting a proceeding for a grant of city status, a town shall serve notice on the county attorney, or if there is none, on the attorney for the Commonwealth, and on the chairman of the board of supervisors of the county or counties within which the town lies that it will, on a given day, petition the circuit court for a grant of city status. The notice served on each official shall include a certified copy of the ordinance. A copy of the notice and ordinance, or a descriptive summary of the notice and ordinance and a reference to the place within the town where copies of the notice and ordinance may be examined, shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the town and county, or counties, in which the town is situated. The notice and ordinance shall be returned after service to the clerk of the circuit court. Certification from the owner, editor or manager of the newspaper publishing the notice and ordinance shall be proof of publication.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.3; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3804. Parties.
In any proceeding instituted under the provisions of this chapter, the county or counties in which the town is situated shall be made party to the case. Any voter or property owner of the town or county or counties in which the town is situated may by petition become party to the proceeding. Any locality with a common boundary or other person affected by the proceeding may appear and shall be made party to the case.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.4; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3805. Time limit for intervenors; publication of order.
The special court shall by order fix a time within which a voter, property owner or political subdivision not served may become a party to a proceeding instituted under this chapter, and thereafter no such petition shall be received, except for good cause shown. A copy of the order shall be published twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county and in the adjoining or adjacent counties and cities, with the first notice appearing no more than 28 days and the second notice appearing no less than seven days before the time fixed by the special court.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.5; 1997, c. 587; 2024, cc. 225, 242.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3806. Pretrial conference; matters considered.
The special court shall, prior to hearing any case under this chapter, direct the attorneys for the parties to appear before it or, in its discretion, before a single judge, for a conference to consider:

1. Simplification of the issues;

2. Amendment of pleadings and filing of additional pleadings;

3. Stipulations as to facts, documents, records, photographs, plans and like matters, which will dispense with formal proof thereof, including:

a. Assessed values and the ratio of assessed values to true values, as determined by the State Department of Taxation, in the town seeking to become a city and in the remaining portion of the county including real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants' capital and public service corporation assessment for each year of the five years immediately preceding;

b. School population and school enrollment in the town seeking to become a city and in the remaining portion of the county, as shown by the records in the office of the division superintendent of schools; and the cost of education per pupil in average daily membership, as shown by the most recent report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and

c. Population and the population density of the town seeking to become a city and of the remaining portion of the county;

4. The method of taking any population census requested by the petitioner;

5. Limitation on the number of expert witnesses; each expert witness who will testify shall file a statement of his qualifications; and

6. Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the case.

The court, or the judge, as the case may be, shall make an appropriate order which will control the subsequent conduct of the case unless modified before or during the trial or hearing to prevent manifest injustice.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.7; 1997, c. 587; 2010, cc. 386, 629.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3807. Hearing and decision by court.
A. The special court shall enter an order granting city status to a town if, after hearing the evidence, it finds that:

1. The town has a minimum population of 5,000 persons;

2. The town has the fiscal ability to function as an independent city and is able to provide appropriate urban-type services including, based on the advice of the State Department of Education, an independent school system;

3. The creation of the new independent city will not substantially impair the ability of the county or counties from which the town is to be separated to meet the service needs of the remaining population, particularly in education, unless provision is made by order of the court or by agreement of the governing bodies to offset such impairment; and

4. After a consideration of the best interests of the parties, the interest of the Commonwealth in the compliance with and promotion of state policies with respect to environmental protection, public planning, education, public transportation, housing and other state service policies declared by the General Assembly, and the interest of the Commonwealth in promoting strong and viable units of government in the area, a grant of city status should be made.

B. Any order granting city status to a town shall set forth in detail all such terms and conditions upon which the city status is granted as are not provided in this chapter. The order shall be effective on January 1 following the year in which the order is issued or, in the discretion of the court, on the second January 1 following the year in which the order is issued. All county taxes assessed in the town for the year before which the transition becomes effective, and for all prior years, shall be paid to the county.

C. A copy of the order shall be certified to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

D. If a majority of the court is of the opinion that the criteria set out in subsection A have not been met, then the petition shall be dismissed.

E. The court shall render a written opinion in every case brought under this chapter.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.8; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3808. Assistance of state agencies.
The special court may, in its discretion, direct any appropriate state agency, in addition to the Commission on Local Government, to gather and present evidence, including statistical data and exhibits, for the court, subject to the usual rules of evidence. The court shall determine the actual expense of preparing such evidence, and shall tax such expense as costs in the case, which costs shall be paid by the clerk into the general fund of the state treasury, and credited to the agency furnishing the evidence.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.9; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3809. Appeals.
Appeals may be made to the Court of Appeals as provided in §§ 15.2-3221 and 15.2-3222, which shall apply mutatis mutandis. Any judgment of the Court of Appeals rendered pursuant to this section may be appealed to the Supreme Court, which, if it grants the petition for appeal, shall hear the appeal as provided in §§ 15.2-3221 and 15.2-3222, which shall apply mutatis mutandis.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.10; 1997, c. 587; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3810. Declining of grant of city status.
In any proceeding brought under this chapter, the town council may, by ordinance or resolution, decline to accept city status on the terms and conditions imposed by the court at any time prior to twenty-one days after final adjudication establishing city status. In such case the court shall apportion the total costs, taking into consideration the extent to which county revenues are derived from within the town, the relative financial abilities of the parties, and the relative merits of the case.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.11; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3811. Proceeding final for three years.
If city status is denied a town, or if city status is declined under § 15.2-3810, no subsequent proceeding shall be brought under this chapter for three years from the date of the final order.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.12; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3812. Effect when town becomes city.
If a town becomes a city under this chapter, then:

1. Its charter, if it has one, shall remain in full force and effect insofar as its provisions do not conflict with this chapter;

2. Its ordinances shall be the ordinances of the city, insofar as they are applicable, until they are repealed by the city;

3. The officers of the town shall be the officers of the city until their successors are elected or appointed and qualify, except as provided in this chapter, and shall discharge the duties and be subject to the penalties imposed by such charter and ordinances and by general law; and

4. Provisions of the town charter in conflict with this title or other provisions of general law shall be repealed thereby.

Code 1950, § 15-83; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-983; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3813. Town liabilities and assets.
If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the city shall be liable for the bonded indebtedness and current debts and obligations of the town and shall be liable for the obligations or other liabilities of the town, both in law and in equity, arising out of any plans or annexations theretofore consummated between the town and any other territory. The title to all the property of the town, and its rights and privileges under any contract, including all moneys belonging to the town, and its books, records, papers and other things of value, shall vest in and become the city's property.

Code 1950, § 15-84; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-984; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3814. Mayor of town to continue in office.
If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the mayor of the town shall be the mayor of the city; shall receive the same salary and fees; and shall discharge the duties, be vested with the authority and be subject to the penalties imposed on him by the charter or general law. He shall serve until his successor is elected and qualified.

Code 1950, § 15-85; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-985; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3815. Council of town to continue in office; additional members.
If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the town council shall be the city council and discharge the duties and exercise the authority imposed on it by the charter and by general law. If in the order granting city status the special court prescribes a greater number to compose the city council than the number composing the town council, then the council shall, within thirty days after the date of the order of the court, or as soon thereafter as practicable, proceed to elect the additional members of the city council necessary to fill out the number prescribed in such order. The members shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified.

Code 1950, § 15-86; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-986; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3816. Town treasurer to continue in office; appointment where town had no treasurer.
If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the town treasurer, if there is one, shall be the city treasurer. If there is no town treasurer, then the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the circuit court having jurisdiction over the city or town, pending the next ensuing general election or, if the vacancy occurs within 120 days prior to such election, pending the second ensuing general election.

The city treasurer, whether he is such by reason of having held the office of town treasurer or by appointment, shall not discharge any duties as city treasurer until he has given bond in a penalty to be fixed by the city council pursuant to § 15.2-1512 and also the bond required by § 15.2-1530. The treasurer so appointed shall qualify before the court appointing him. The treasurer's duties shall include handling the city's revenues from all sources as the council directs. He shall serve until his successor is elected and qualified.

Code 1950, § 15-87; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-987; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 158; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3817. Commissioner of revenue or assessor to continue in office; appointment where town had no commissioner or assessor.
If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the commissioner of revenue or assessor of the town, if there is one, shall be the commissioner of revenue of the city and discharge the duties imposed on him by the charter or by general law. If there is no commissioner of revenue or assessor of the town, then the circuit court having jurisdiction over such city or town shall, within thirty days after the town is declared to be a city, fill the vacancy by appointment, pending the next ensuing general election or, if the vacancy occurs within 120 days prior to such election, pending the second ensuing general election. The commissioner of revenue so appointed shall forthwith qualify before the court or judge appointing him or before the clerk of the circuit court in the clerk's office. He shall serve until his successor is elected and qualified.

Code 1950, § 15-88; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-988; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 158; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3818. Town sergeant to continue in office.
If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the sergeant of the town, if there is one, shall be the sheriff of the city and discharge all the duties imposed on him by the charter or by general law. The sheriff's duties and compensation shall be such as are provided by law for town sergeants. He shall serve until his successor is elected and qualified.

Code 1950, § 15-89; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-989; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 155; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3819. Election and terms of office of mayor and councilmen after town becomes city.
At a general election of city officers, to be held on the second Tuesday in May after a town is declared to be a city, a mayor and city council shall be elected for the city. The terms of office of the mayor and city council shall begin on July 1 following their election. The mayor shall serve for four years. One half of the council shall serve for two years, and the other half for four years.

Code 1950, § 15-90; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-990; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3820. Election and terms of other city officers.
At the next general election of state officers after (i) the town is declared to be a city and (ii) the regular term of office of the existing municipal officers expires, to be held on Tuesday after the first Monday in November, when similar officers are elected for other cities, a treasurer, a sheriff, an attorney for the Commonwealth, a clerk of the circuit court, and other officers elected by the qualified voters whose election is not otherwise provided for by law shall be elected. The terms of office of such officers shall begin on January 1 following their election and continue in accordance with § 24.2-217 as applicable to such elections and until their respective successors have been elected and qualify. The commissioner of revenue shall be elected or appointed as the general law directs.

Code 1950, § 15-91; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-991; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 68; 1973, c. 545; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3821. Qualification of officers; vacancies.
The officers for the election of whom provision is made by § 15.2-3820 whether elected at the first election for such officers held in the city or at any subsequent election held pursuant to § 24.2-217 or § 24.2-222 shall qualify before the circuit court having jurisdiction in the city or before the clerk of such court in the clerk's office. In the case of a vacancy in any such office the office shall be filled by appointment by the court, pending the next ensuing general election or, if the vacancy occurs within 120 days prior to such election, pending the second ensuing general election.

Code 1950, § 15-92; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-992; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 158; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3822. Sharing of offices; transfer of jurisdiction.
A. Any attorney for the Commonwealth, clerk of a circuit court, or sheriff who performed his duties and had jurisdiction in both a city and a county prior to July 1, 1979, under provisions of this chapter in effect prior to that date, shall continue to serve both localities until (i) the city ceases to share such positions in accordance with the provisions of general law or (ii) the city is transferred in accordance with the provisions of §§ 16.1-69.6 and 17.1-506 to a judicial circuit and district which is comprised of a county other than the circuit and district where the city was situated. Until such declaration or transfer is made, the qualified voters residing in the city may vote for these officers at the general election for county officers.

B. Upon the effective date of the transfer referred to in clause (ii) of subsection A, the judges of the circuit court for the county in the judicial circuit to which the city was transferred shall appoint the attorney for the Commonwealth and clerk of the circuit court for that adjoining county. If the city has a locally elected city sheriff, the city sheriff shall be the only sheriff for the city. The city may contract with the county to which it was transferred for jail facilities. If the effective date of the transfer is to take place within 120 days after an election for the clerk of the circuit court or attorney for the Commonwealth in the county to which the city is transferred, the voters of the city shall be entitled to vote in the election for each officer. The voting wards or precincts of the city shall be treated as precincts of the adjoining county and no candidate for these offices shall be required to qualify separately in the city. The qualified voters of the city shall thereafter be entitled to vote for these officers.

C. If the situation in either clause (i) or (ii) of subsection A occurs, then:

1. As to any crime occurring or civil cause of action arising in the city before the effective date of the transfer, the circuit court for the former judicial circuit shall have jurisdiction; and

2. As to any crime occurring or civil cause of action arising in the city on or after the effective date of the transfer involving a matter required by general law to be located in a circuit court, the circuit court for the judicial circuit to which the city was transferred shall have jurisdiction.

D. All writings authorized by law to be recorded in the circuit court for the city transferred pursuant to clause (ii) of subsection A shall be recorded in the circuit court to which the city was transferred beginning on the effective date of the transfer.

1980, c. 592, § 15.1-994.1; 1987, c. 624; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3823. Tenure and reelection of county officer whose homesite becomes part of city.
Any county officer who resides in the county or in any town therein, and has an established home therein, which homesite becomes a part of a city after such officer's election or appointment, shall not vacate his office by reason of his residence in the city, but shall continue to hold such office so long as he is successively elected or appointed to the office held by him at the time of the transition. Such officer shall for the purpose of his office be deemed to be a resident of the magisterial district in which the homesite was before becoming a part of a city. This section shall not apply to members of the school board of such county, who shall be governed by § 22.1-29.

Code 1950, § 15-94.1; 1950, p. 28; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-995; 1964, c. 202; 1966, c. 239; 1970, c. 455; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3824. Town officers.
Except as provided in this chapter, if a town becomes a city, officers of the town shall be officers of the city until the expiration of the term for which they were chosen or until they are removed according to law or their offices abolished by the city council.

Code 1950, § 15-95; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-996; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3825. Courts.
When a town is declared to be a city, such city shall at once be, become and continue unless and until changed by general law in every respect within the jurisdiction of the circuit court for the county wherein it is situated.

Code 1950, § 15-96; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-997; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3826. Appointment of electoral board, sheriff, attorney for the Commonwealth and circuit court clerk.
If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the circuit court having jurisdiction over the city shall appoint for the city an electoral board of three members, the term of one of whom shall expire on the first day of the following March, the term of another to expire one year later, and the term of the third to expire two years later than the term of the first. The court shall at the same time, if necessary, appoint one sheriff, one attorney for the Commonwealth and one clerk of the circuit court. The terms of all officers appointed by the circuit court shall expire when their successors are elected or appointed and qualify, pending the next ensuing general election or, if the vacancy occurs within 120 days prior to such election, pending the second ensuing general election.

Code 1950, § 15-97; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-998; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 158; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3827. Transfer of assessments to city books.
When the commissioner of the revenue of a city created under this chapter applies to the commissioner of the revenue of the county or other officer assessing real estate, he shall furnish from his books a transcript of the assessment of all real estate and personal property, and on his books he shall note that all such assessments have been transferred to the city books.

Code 1950, § 15-99; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1000; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3828. State, county and district taxes accruing before transition; county sales and use tax becomes city sales and use tax.
All state, county and district taxes on property within the territory occupied by a city created under this chapter that accrued before the city became such shall be payable to and collected by the county treasurer. The proceeds of all county and district taxes on property within the city shall be held by the county treasurer subject to the rights of the city to be adjusted in the manner hereinafter provided.

If a town becomes a city of the second class under this chapter, and a county sales and use tax was in force in the county in which such town was located at the time the order was entered pursuant to § 15.2-3807, such local sales and use tax shall continue in effect in the city as a city sales and use tax on and after the effective date of such order the same as if the tax had been duly imposed by the council of the city. The preceding sentence shall apply until the effective date of a local sales and use tax ordinance adopted by the city council under the applicable provisions of law; but the preceding sentence shall not apply if the council of the city, immediately after the town becomes a city, adopts a resolution to the effect that such local sales and use tax shall not be effective in the city.

Code 1950, § 15-101; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1002; 1968, c. 315; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3829. Assumption of debt; adjustment.
If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the city shall assume and provide for the reimbursement of the county of a just and reasonable proportion of any county debt existing at the date the town becomes a city, including any debt existing on any school district of which the town was a part.

The city council and the board of supervisors shall make an equitable adjustment of such debts. In making such adjustment the parties shall consider (i) the city's just proportion of money collected by the county treasurer under § 15.2-3828 and of any unexpended balance in the county treasury belonging to any fund to which the territory embraced in the city has contributed and (ii) all other equitable claims of the city, county and district. If the parties fail to make such adjustment, either party may proceed against the other by a bill in equity in the circuit court for the county in which the former town lies for a proper adjustment of such matter.

Code 1950, §§ 15-102, 15-103; 1962, c. 623, §§ 15.1-1003, 15.1-1004; 1980, c. 559; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3830. Certain costs and expenses to be apportioned between city and county.
After a town becomes a city under this chapter, the costs and expenses of the circuit court for the county, including jury costs, and the salaries of the judge and clerk of the circuit court and the clerk, attorney for the Commonwealth and sheriff of the county shall be borne by the city and county in the proportion that the population of each bears to the aggregate population of the city and county.

Such expenses and costs shall include stationery, furniture, books, office supplies and equipment for the court and clerk's office; supplies, repairs and alterations on the buildings used jointly by the city and county; and insurance, fuel, water, lights, etc., used in and about the buildings and the grounds thereto. The cost of any new building erected for the joint use of the city and county shall be provided for in like manner. However, in the case of buildings used jointly by the City of Covington and Alleghany County, no repairs or alterations shall be made to any such building, and no new building shall be erected without the approval of the governing body of both the city and the county. If such governing bodies cannot agree, relevant controversies shall be resolved in the manner provided by § 15.2-3829.

Code 1950, § 15-104; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1005; 1970, c. 143; 1997, c. 587; 2007, c. 813.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3831. Registrars and their duties.
Upon its appointment, the electoral board for a city created under this chapter shall appoint a general registrar pursuant to § 24.2-110. The registration records of voters residing in the city shall be transferred, and the appropriate notice given, in accordance with § 24.2-114. At any time the books are not closed pursuant to § 24.2-416, any person residing in the city who has not registered shall be entitled to register and vote in the city if he would have been entitled to register and vote in the county.

Code 1950, § 15-105; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1006; 1997, c. 587; 2003, c. 1015.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3832. Authority to city to provide by condemnation, etc., water, light, power and fuel.
In addition to the authority given by general law to cities, a city organized under this chapter may acquire in accordance with § 15.2-1800 or construct, own and operate, its own plant, machinery and equipment for supplying its inhabitants, streets, grounds, or buildings with water, light, power or fuel. To that end it may acquire any plant existing in or near the city; may acquire land and franchises outside of the limits of the city; and may buy, purchase or acquire easements and rights-of-way.

Code 1950, § 15-106; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1007; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3833. Chapter not applicable to cities already existing.
This chapter shall not affect the organization, government, officers, charter or laws governing any city declared to be such prior to January 1, 1976, under former acts of the General Assembly. Statutes under which cities declared to be such prior to January 1, 1976, were organized as cities shall continue in force.

Code 1950, § 15-108; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1009; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 38 (TRANSITION OF TOWNS TO CITIES)
§ 15.2-3834. Congressional, etc., districts and judicial circuit not changed.
Any city created under this chapter shall continue to be and remain a part of the congressional, senatorial and legislative districts, respectively, and of the judicial circuit wherein such city is geographically located.

Code 1950, § 15-109; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1010; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 39 (Transition of Counties to Cities)
§ 15.2-3900. Transition authorized.
Any county in this Commonwealth may become an independent city by complying with the requirements and procedures set forth in this chapter.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.1; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 39 (Transition of Counties to Cities)
§ 15.2-3901. Ordinance petitioning court to declare eligibility.
The governing body of any county may, by ordinance passed by a recorded majority vote of all the members thereof, petition the circuit court for the county, alleging that the county meets the criteria set out in § 15.2-3907, for an order declaring the county eligible for city status. The circuit court with which the petition is filed shall notify the Supreme Court, which shall appoint a special court to hear the case as prescribed by Chapter 30 (§ 15.2-3000 et seq.) of this title.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.2; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 39 (Transition of Counties to Cities)
§ 15.2-3902. Moratorium on annexation suits pending transition to city.
Any annexation suit filed against a county on or after the day the county's petition for city status is filed in the circuit court shall be stayed pending the special court's order denying eligibility for city status or the election ordered on the proposed city charter, whichever occurs. If the voters approve the city charter, all annexation suits stayed pending the outcome of the election shall be dismissed. If the voters disapprove the city charter, all pending stays shall be dissolved.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.2:1; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 39 (Transition of Counties to Cities)
§ 15.2-3903. Notice of motion; service and publication; answer.
At least thirty days before instituting a proceeding under the provisions of this chapter, a county shall serve notice on the attorney for the Commonwealth, or on the city or county attorney, if there is one, and on the chairman of the board of supervisors of each adjoining county and the mayor of each city and town within the county instituting proceedings that it will, on a given day, petition the circuit court for an order declaring the county eligible for city status. The notice served on each official shall include a certified copy of the ordinance. A copy of the notice and ordinance, or a descriptive summary of the notice and ordinance and a reference to the place within the county where copies of the notice and ordinance may be examined, shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks in some newspaper having general circulation in the county seeking eligibility for city status. The notice and ordinance shall be returned after service to the clerk of the circuit court. Certification from the owner, editor or manager of the newspaper publishing the notice and ordinance shall be proof of publication.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.3; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 39 (Transition of Counties to Cities)
§ 15.2-3904. Parties.
In any proceedings instituted under the provisions of this chapter, any voter or property owner or person having an interest in the county may by petition become a party to the proceedings. Any locality having a common boundary or other person affected by the proceedings may appear and shall be made a party to the case.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.5; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 39 (Transition of Counties to Cities)
§ 15.2-3905. Time limit for intervenors; publication of order.
The special court shall by order fix a time within which a voter, property owner, person having an interest, or locality not served may become a party to proceedings instituted under this chapter, and thereafter no such petition shall be received, except for good cause shown. A copy of the order shall be published at least once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation in the county and in the adjoining or adjacent counties and cities.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.6; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 39 (Transition of Counties to Cities)
§ 15.2-3906. Pretrial conference; matters considered.
The special court shall, prior to hearing any case under this chapter, direct the attorneys for the parties to appear before it, or in its discretion before a single judge, for a conference to consider:

1. Simplification of the issues;

2. Amendment of pleadings and filing of additional pleadings;

3. Stipulations as to facts, documents, records, photographs, plans and like matters, which will dispense with formal proof thereof, including:

a. Assessed values, if appropriate, and the ratio of assessed values to true values, as determined by the State Department of Taxation, in the county seeking to become a city, including real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants' capital and public service corporation assessment for each year of the five years immediately preceding;

b. School population and school enrollment in the county, as shown by the records in the office of the division superintendent of schools; and the cost of education per pupil in average daily membership as shown by the last preceding report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction;

c. Population of the county and its population density;

4. The method of taking any population census requested by the petitioner;

5. Limitation on the number of expert witnesses; each expert witness who will testify shall file a statement of his qualifications;

6. Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the case.

The court, or the judge, as the case may be, shall make an appropriate order which will control the subsequent conduct of the case unless modified before or during the trial or hearing to prevent manifest injustice.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.8; 1997, c. 587; 2010, cc. 386, 629.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 39 (Transition of Counties to Cities)
§ 15.2-3907. Hearing and decision by court.
A. The special court shall order an election to determine if the voters of the county desire the General Assembly to grant the county a municipal charter if, after hearing the evidence, it finds that:

1. The county possesses at the time of the filing of the petition a minimum population of 20,000 persons and a density of population of at least 300 persons per square mile, or a minimum population of 50,000 persons and a density of population of at least 140 persons per square mile, based either on the latest United States census, on the latest estimates of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia, or on a special census conducted under court supervision; and

2. The county has the fiscal capacity to function as an independent city and to provide appropriate services; and

3. After a consideration of the best interests of the parties, the interest of the Commonwealth in the county's compliance with and promotion of applicable State policies with respect to environmental protection, public planning, education, public transportation, housing and other State service policies declared by the General Assembly, and the interest of the Commonwealth in promoting strong and viable units of government in the area, the county is eligible for city status.

B. An election held pursuant to this section shall comply with §§ 24.2-682 and 24.2-684. The order for election shall allow sufficient time for the preparation of a charter as hereafter provided for in this chapter. Such election shall be held no earlier than 180 days and no later than 300 days subsequent to the entry of the order of election.

C. The court shall be limited in its decision to granting or denying eligibility for city status and shall have no authority to impose terms or conditions with respect to such eligibility.

D. If a majority of the court is of the opinion that the criteria set out in subsection A have not been met, then eligibility for city status shall be denied.

E. The court shall render a written opinion in every case brought under the provisions of this chapter.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.9; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 39 (Transition of Counties to Cities)
§ 15.2-3908. Assistance of state agencies.
The special court may, in its discretion, direct any appropriate state agency, in addition to the Commission on Local Government, to gather and present evidence, including statistical data and exhibits, for the court, subject to the usual rules of evidence. The court shall determine the actual expense of preparing such evidence and shall tax such expense as costs in the case; the costs shall be paid by the clerk into the general fund of the state treasury, and credited to the agency furnishing the evidence.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.10; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 39 (Transition of Counties to Cities)
§ 15.2-3909. Appeals.
Appeals may be made to the Court of Appeals as provided in §§ 15.2-3221 and 15.2-3222, which shall apply mutatis mutandis. Any judgment of the Court of Appeals rendered pursuant to this section may be appealed to the Supreme Court, which, if it grants the petition for appeal, shall hear the appeal as provided in §§ 15.2-3221 and 15.2-3222, which shall apply mutatis mutandis.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.11; 1997, c. 587; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 39 (Transition of Counties to Cities)
§ 15.2-3910. Charter commission; appointment; compensation.
Upon entry of the order provided in subsection A of § 15.2-3907, the governing body of the county shall appoint a charter commission, composed of not less than seven persons, to assist it in the preparation of a charter and form of government for the new city. The governing body shall fix the compensation of members of the charter commission, the amount of which shall be subject to approval by the circuit court for the county.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.12; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 39 (Transition of Counties to Cities)
§ 15.2-3911. Charter provisions generally.
The charter shall provide for the orderly transition from a county form of government to a city form, for the assumption by the new city of the debt and contractual obligations of the former county and of all towns formerly located therein, and for the transfer of all assets from such county and towns to the new city. The city charter shall recognize any townships which may be created pursuant to § 15.2-3916, and where such townships are created, they shall assume the assets and debts of the towns they succeed. However, the city charter shall provide that all or part of the revenues of a township, the services it performs, its facilities, other assets, and debts may be transferred to the city by agreement of the governing bodies. The provisions of the charter with respect to elected officials shall conform to the applicable requirements of the Constitution of Virginia. The charter may also provide that the new city may continue any agreements or arrangements undertaken under other provisions of law for the joint support of officials, facilities, and services that exist on the effective date of the city charter. Such charter shall become effective on July 1 in the year of enactment by the General Assembly.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.13; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 39 (Transition of Counties to Cities)
§ 15.2-3912. Optional charter provisions.
Any charter adopted pursuant to this chapter may include any of the following provisions:

1. The rate of tax on real property in any territory which is a part of the proposed city shall be lower than in other territory of the proposed city for a period of five years, provided that any difference between such rates of taxation shall bear a reasonable relationship to differences in nonrevenue-producing governmental services giving land urban character which are furnished in such territories.

2. A special tax may be levied on real property for a period not exceeding twenty years in any area specified in the charter. The special tax may be different from and in addition to the general tax rate throughout the entire city and shall be for the purpose of repaying existing indebtedness chargeable to such area prior to the county becoming a city.

3. There shall be a new election of officers for the city whose election and qualification shall terminate the terms of office of the officers of the former county. However, no new election need be held for offices required to be continued by the Constitution, nor for any other office for which a new election is deemed unnecessary.

4. The tax rate on all property of the same class within the city shall be uniform. However, the governing body of the city shall have power to levy a higher tax in such areas of the city that desire additional or more complete services of government than are desired in the city as a whole. The proceeds of the higher tax shall be segregated and expended in the areas in which raised. Such higher tax rate shall not be levied for school, police or general government services but only for those services which prior to the transition were not offered in the whole of the former county.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.13:1; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 39 (Transition of Counties to Cities)
§ 15.2-3913. Public hearing on charter; notice and publication; adoption of charter by governing body.
Upon the completion of the proposed charter the governing body shall hold a public hearing at which the citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard with respect thereto. Notice of the time and place of such hearing and the text of the charter, or an informative summary thereof, shall be published twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, with the first notice appearing no more than 28 days before and the second notice appearing no less than seven days before the hearing. Such hearing may be adjourned from time to time, but shall be completed not less than thirty days before the election. Upon completion of the hearing the governing body shall adopt the charter with such revisions as it may accept.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.14; 1997, c. 587; 2024, cc. 225, 242.