ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, June 21, 1996 TAG: 9606210058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: STAUNTON
SOURCE: Associated Press
Staunton is exploring whether to end its city status and become a town in Augusta County, city officials said.
``When you look at it, the independent city is at a disadvantage,'' said Mayor G. John Avoli. Cities' only option, he said, may be to give up their city charters and become towns within the counties around them.
If the city of 24,000 people were to revert, it would be the largest one in Virginia to rejoin a surrounding county since a reversion law took effect in the late 1980s. The only other city to make the move is South Boston.
Avoli and City Manager Bernard Murphy said City Council is considering reversion but has yet to report on the proposal.
Avoli said Wednesday he has begun discussions with county officials to inform them the city is conducting its study.``We are not trying to hide anything,'' he said.
Any decision about reverting will come after months of study, working with hired consultants and attorneys, and consulting with the county, the mayor said.
``We will probably do a thorough financial analysis,'' he said. ``This is a very long-term thing.''
The city's finances are in good shape, but that could change in 15 or 20 years, Avoli said.Staunton is locked into its current size of 19.7 square miles by state laws that prevent independent cities from expanding their tax base by annexing county land.Virginia cities generally operate their own schools, courts and police departments. In towns, those services are provided by the surrounding county.
Winchester, Fredericksburg and Charlottesville also have considered becoming towns.
Reversion requires local studies and consultation between a city and county. A reversion proposal then must be reviewed by the Virginia Commission on Local Government, which can either approve it as written, approve it with some recommended changes or reject it.
If approved by the commission, an independent panel of three judges would approve or reject the reversion plan.
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