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1994 SESSION

LD4422613
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 116
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Joint Conference Committee
on March 12, 1994)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Benedetti)
Establishing a joint subcommittee of the House of Delegates Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns and the Senate Committee on Local Government to study the most effective form of regional government and the most effective means of promoting regional delivery of government services in the urban regions of the Commonwealth, with specific emphasis on the Richmond-Chesterfield-Henrico region.

WHEREAS, the ability of the Commonwealth to attract new industry and foster a healthy climate for business is vital to the prosperity of Virginia's citizens; and

WHEREAS, Virginia's urban regions, which are critical to the economy of the Commonwealth as a whole, continue to face severe stress from shrinking tax revenues, loss of residents and businesses, and growing demands for government services; and

WHEREAS, regional cooperation and coordination in the delivery of governmental services will foster increased efficiency, particularly with respect to sewerage treatment, water, and solid waste disposal; and

WHEREAS, regional delivery of transportation services can improve the quality of life for the Commonwealth's citizens by increasing their access to new employment opportunities within the regions in which they live, and will promote sound planning to meet needs for the construction of highways, roads, and mass transit systems on a regional basis; and

WHEREAS, the situation with respect to regional delivery of governmental services is not identical in all urban areas, and more effective implementation of regional delivery of governmental services must take into account the differing needs and circumstances of the urban areas involved; and

WHEREAS, despite the existence of current laws allowing for regional delivery of services, effective implementation of regional service delivery has not been accomplished in the urban areas where its benefits can be realized, indicating the need for a review of existing laws to explore incentives which local governments might use to encourage regionalization of government services; and

WHEREAS, the City of Richmond and the surrounding Counties of Chesterfield and Henrico have many common features, interests and problems, making the area ideal as a site for a pilot program for consolidated services; and

WHEREAS, the current political boundaries frequently serve as artificial barriers between the localities and hinder cooperation on regional problems to the detriment of the region as a whole; and

WHEREAS, the development of a model for consolidated service delivery will save millions of dollars, thereby permitting a reduction in taxes and providing surplus funds for attacking the region's most critical problems; and

WHEREAS, the entire Commonwealth has a strong interest in consolidating duplicated services and in preventing the decline of urban areas, particularly its historic capital area; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee of the House Committee on Counties, Cities, and Towns and the Senate Committee on Local Government be established to study the most effective form of regional government and the most effective means of promoting regional delivery of government services in the urban regions of the Commonwealth, with specific emphasis on the Richmond-Chesterfield-Henrico region. The joint subcommittee shall study the current state of regional provision of governmental services, particularly the most appropriate means of effecting regional delivery of government services in the urban regions of the Commonwealth. The joint subcommittee shall also develop a model for consolidated service delivery, review the existing laws on regionalization of local government, and propose specific legislation to achieve this goal.

The joint subcommittee shall be composed of 14 members to be appointed as follows: five members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, three of whom shall be members of the House Committee on Counties, Cities, and Towns; three members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, two of whom shall be members of the Senate Committee on Local Government; the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Chesterfield, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Henrico, and the Mayor of the City of Richmond or their designees; and three citizens who shall be business leaders from urban regions of the Commonwealth, two of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House, and one of whom shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. The Commission on Local Government shall provide technical assistance.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its work, including a pilot project plan and draft of proposed legislation, in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1995 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

The direct costs shall not exceed $9,000.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period of the conduct of this study.