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Arlington County Board adopts updated charters for building-code appeals, police-towing advisory board, and county audit functions
Summary
At its Oct. 21 meeting the Arlington County Board approved revised charters for the Local Board of Building Code Appeals, reconstituted the Police Contract Towing Advisory Board and adopted a split charter for the Office of the County Auditor and the Audit Committee to strengthen auditor independence.
The Arlington County Board on Oct. 21 unanimously approved a set of charter updates aimed at clarifying advisory-board membership and strengthening the independence of the county auditor's office.
The board adopted a revised charter for the Local Board of Building Code Appeals, moving to a five-member structure and adding a requirement that one member be a resident of Arlington County. Vice Chair DeFerrante moved the measure; it was seconded by Board Member Coffey and carried unanimously.
Separately, the board authorized reconstitution of the Arlington County Advisory Board on Police Contract Towing, a state-mandated advisory body that reviews proposed contract language for towing of unattended or immobile vehicles on public property. Vice Chair DeFerrante moved the resolution; Board Member Coffey seconded, and the board approved the reconstitution 5-0. County staff noted the advisory board’s three required seats: law enforcement, towing/recovery operator, and a public member, and said the board will advise on solicitation language for an upcoming request for proposals expected to be awarded in early 2026.
On the county auditor functions, the board approved two related changes: a revised charter for the Office of the County Auditor and a separate charter for the Audit Committee. Wayne Scott, the county auditor, told the board the split was intended to strengthen auditor independence and align the office with industry best practice by separating the auditor’s institutional charter from the public audit committee’s responsibilities. The motions were moved by Board Member Coffey and seconded by Vice Chair DeFerrante; both carried unanimously.
Why it matters: the charter changes clarify who sits on advisory bodies, how those bodies operate and strengthen the county auditor’s independence — all intended to improve transparency and the technical quality of county oversight.
What’s next: staff said the Police Contract Towing Advisory Board will begin membership recruitment for the public seat and will provide advice on the towing RFP before it goes to bid.
