Bill Text: VA SB283 | 2022 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Augusta County; removal of county courthouse, authorization by electorate.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-05-27 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0807) [SB283 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-SB283-Engrossed.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. §1. A. Notwithstanding the provisions of §15.2-1655
of the Code of Virginia, Augusta County may hold a referendum in 2022 on the
removal of the Augusta County courthouse from the City of Staunton to Augusta
County [ if plans are developed for (i) relocating to a newly
constructed courthouse in Augusta County and (ii) either (a) the renovation and
expansion of the current courthouse in the City of Staunton or (b) the
construction of a new courthouse in the City of Staunton. Both plans shall:
1. Be schematic in nature;
2. Be prepared by an architect duly licensed to practice
architecture in the Commonwealth;
3. Include a good faith estimate of the costs of
construction utilizing the same methodology in arriving at such estimates; and
4. Be made available to the public at least two months prior to the planned
date of the referendum.
B. Upon submission of plans meeting the requirements of
subsection A by the governing body to the clerk of the court, the court, by
order entered of record in accordance with Article 5 (§24.2-681 et seq.) of
Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, shall require the regular election officials of the
county to open the polls and take the sense of the voters on the matter as
herein provided.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of §§15.2-1652 and
24.2-684, the election shall be by ballot that shall be prepared by the
electoral board of the county and on which shall be printed the following:
"Under Virginia law, Augusta County must provide
adequate court facility for the Augusta County Courts. To accomplish that
purpose:
[ ] Shall the county courthouse be relocated to Augusta
County at a cost of $ [insert estimated cost]?
or
[ ] Shall the county courthouse remain in the City of
Staunton at a cost of $ [insert estimated cost]?"
D. The ballots shall be counted, returns made and
canvassed as in other elections, and the results certified by the electoral
board to the court ordering the election. The court shall enter an order
proclaiming the results of the election and a duly certified copy of such order
shall be transmitted to the governing body of the county. The governing body
shall proceed to implement the plan certified as receiving the most votes in
the election . Any such referendum shall be conducted, in all other
respects, in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 (§15.2-1638 et seq.)
of Chapter 16 of Title 15.2 and Article 5 (§24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of
Title 24.2 of the Code of Virginia ] .
