summary

COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

AGENDA TITLE:

2009 Legislative Priorities

SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:

Receive Board input on and approval of the proposed 2009 Legislative Priorities to be submitted to the TJPDC and VACo

STAFF CONTACT(S):

Messrs. Tucker, Foley, Davis, Bowman, Blount

LEGAL REVIEW: Yes

AGENDA DATE:

August 6, 2008

ACTION: X INFORMATION:

CONSENT AGENDA:

ACTION: INFORMATION:

ATTACHMENTS: YES

REVIEWED BY:

In July 2007, the Board of Supervisors approved the County’s 2008 Legislative Priorities that were then submitted to the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) and Virginia Association of Counties (VACo). In October 2007, the Board approved the TJPDC’s legislative program that incorporated the County’s 2008 Legislative Priorities. The General Assembly convened in January 2008, completed its regular session in April and held a special session on transportation in June and July. Staff is providing this executive summary to receive the Board’s input and approval before submitting the proposed 2009 Legislative Priorities (Attachment A) to the TJPDC and VACo.

Strategic Goals: Enhance Quality of Life for all Citizens; Protect the County's Natural, Scenic and Historic Resources; Develop Policies and Infrastructure Improvements to Address the County's Growing Needs; Effectively Manage Growth and Development; Fund the County's Future Needs.

For information on how the County’s 2008 Legislative Priorities fared in the legislature, please see the “2008 Legislative Priorities Report (Attachment B).” The report details any action taken on priorities, an assessment of what priorities should be continued in the future and links to the final legislative reports of the TJPDC, VACo and Virginia Municipal League (VML).

In response to legislative and funding actions in recent General Assembly sessions, staff proposes new priorities for 2009 regarding impact fee authority and drug court funding. In the coming months, as the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) regional transit authority study continues, it may be appropriate to add a priority supporting enabling legislation to create a regional transit authority once the details of such an authority are resolved. After the Board’s input and approval, staff will submit the adopted priorities to the TJPDC and VACo for consideration into their respective legislative programs. The 2009 TJPDC Legislative Program will return to the Board in the fall for further input and approval.

Should the state provide additional funding for the County’s “Child Care for Low Income Working Families” priority, a local match will be required. Beyond that priority, there are no specific, identifiable budget impacts, although the County’s legislative priorities seek to ensure the state adequately funds its mandated responsibilities and does not jeopardize the County’s ability to effectively and efficiently implement the policies (including fiscal) and programs that it deems necessary.

Staff recommends the Board approve the proposed 2009 Legislative Priorities (Attachment A), and any additions it feels are appropriate, for submission to the TJPDC and VACo.