Northampton County, Virginia

Government

The Board of Supervisors consists of five representatives, one from each of the County's five voting districts. Supervisors are elected for four-year terms. The Board is the policy-making body of the County and is vested with all rights and powers as specified by the state law known as the County Board Form (Section 15.2-400 through Section 15.2-418). The Board takes action by the adoption of ordinances or resolutions.

The Code of Virginia states that the County Board of Supervisors shall have the power to:

• Prepare and approve the county budget
• Levy taxes and appropriate funds
• Audit claims against the county
• Issue warrants in settlement of all claims and accounts
• Construct and maintain county buildings
• Approve and enforce the county's comprehensive plan and land use control ordinances
• Make and enforce ordinances for police, sanitation, health, and environmental government as authorized by law
• Provide for the care and treatment of indigent and physically handicapped county citizens

The Board elects annually a chairman who presides at each Board meeting and serves as the official head of the County government. A vice chairman is elected as well and serves in the absence of the chairman. This election occurs in January of each calendar year.

The administrative head of the County Board Form of government is the county administrator. The county administrator is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and serves at the pleasure of the Board. The administrator is a full-time employee whose duties are to implement county policies as determined by the Board of Supervisors and oversee the day-to-day county business operations through a staff of professional directors. This position has no definite term and the administrator may be removed by a majority vote of the Board at any time.

The County Board Form includes constitutional offices that provide certain administrative functions. Northampton County has four constitutional officers: commissioner of revenue; commonwealth attorney; sheriff and treasurer who are elected to 4 years terms that are not limited. The fifth constitutional officer, Clerk of the Circuit Court is elected for an eight year term.

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County Board of Supervisors