The governing bodies of any two or more adjoining localities desiring to consolidate into a consolidated locality in accordance with this article may enter into an agreement for the consolidation, setting forth in such consolidation agreement:
1. The names of the localities which are proposed to be consolidated;
2. The name of the proposed consolidated locality, which name shall be such as to distinguish it from the name of any other like unit of government in Virginia;
3. The property, real and personal, belonging to each locality and the fair value thereof in current money of the United States;
4. The indebtedness, bonded and otherwise, of each locality;
5. The proposed name and location of the county seat of the consolidated county or the address of the administrative offices of the city or town;
6. If the counties have different forms of county organization and government, the proposed form of county organization and government of the consolidated county, or if the cities or towns are to adopt the charter of one of the cities or towns, the name of the city or town whose charter is adopted; and
7. The other terms of the agreement.
The governing body of each of the localities may appoint an advisory committee composed of three persons to assist in the preparation of such agreement and may pay the members of such advisory committee reasonable compensation, approved by the judge of the circuit court for the locality.
In counties, no consolidation agreement shall become effective unless approved by a referendum. In cities and towns, the consolidation agreement may include a provision requiring approval by referendum.
The original of the consolidation agreement and, if appropriate, a petition on behalf of the several governing bodies asking for a referendum on the question of consolidation shall be filed with the judge or one of the judges of the circuit courts for the localities; there shall be filed with each of the other judges a copy of the consolidation agreement and of the petition.
Code 1950, § 15-163; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1072; 1997, c. 587.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns
Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities
§ 15.2-3500. Application of article
§ 15.2-3501. Authority to consolidate counties, cities or towns
§ 15.2-3502. Agreement for consolidation
§ 15.2-3503. Petition requesting agreement
§ 15.2-3504. Publication of agreement
§ 15.2-3505. Order for election
§ 15.2-3506. Conduct of election
§ 15.2-3507. Result of election
§ 15.2-3508. Election or appointment of county officers
§ 15.2-3509. Election or appointment of city or town officers
§ 15.2-3510. General effect of consolidation
§ 15.2-3512. Suits and prosecutions
§ 15.2-3513. Magisterial, school and election districts, etc.
§ 15.2-3514. Courts and judicial circuits
§ 15.2-3515. Congressional and assembly districts
§ 15.2-3516. Registration of voters
§ 15.2-3517. Existing ordinances
§ 15.2-3518. Determination of rights
§ 15.2-3519. Repeal of certain charters
§ 15.2-3520. Counties, cities and towns specified; alternative consolidations
§ 15.2-3521. Proposed consolidated city; notice of motion; service and publication
§ 15.2-3522. Petition; appointment of special court
§ 15.2-3524. Time limit for intervenors
§ 15.2-3525. Pretrial conference; matters considered
§ 15.2-3526. Hearing and decision by court
§ 15.2-3527. Assistance of state agencies
§ 15.2-3530. Continuation of services of Department of Transportation after consolidation
§ 15.2-3531. Voters' petition requesting consolidation agreement and referendum
§ 15.2-3532. Required provisions of consolidation agreement
§ 15.2-3533. Transfer of property and indebtedness
§ 15.2-3534. Optional provisions of consolidation agreement
§ 15.2-3535. Advertising of charter
§ 15.2-3536. Charter for consolidated city
§ 15.2-3537. Publication of consolidation agreement
§ 15.2-3538. Order for election
§ 15.2-3539. Conduct of election
§ 15.2-3540. Result of elections; determination of form of government
§ 15.2-3541. General effect of consolidation; officers
§ 15.2-3543. Electoral board, general registrar and officers of election
§ 15.2-3544. Effect on pending suits
§ 15.2-3545. Effect on assembly districts
§ 15.2-3546. Effect on jurisdiction of courts
§ 15.2-3547. Consolidation of entire county requires no action of town council
§ 15.2-3548. Effect on town charter
§ 15.2-3549. Powers of a tier-city
§ 15.2-3550. Effect of consolidation into single county; exceptions for tier-city