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Subcommittee backs Virginia Beach charter change to single-member districts after referendum
Summary
Patron Delegate Converse Fowler and City of Virginia Beach representatives urged adoption of a charter change to lock in 10 single-member local districts after a voter referendum; the committee adopted an amendment removing the emergency clause and reported the bill.
Delegate Converse Fowler presented HB 187, a charter-change bill to implement single-member (10–1) districts for Virginia Beach city council and school board following a referendum. "The voters have spoken and they demanded single member representation in their city council and school board," Fowler told the subcommittee, asking members to "support the will of the voters." The sponsor moved an amendment to remove the bill's emergency clause; the amendment was adopted.
Brent McKenzie, representing the city of Virginia Beach, told the panel the referendum was supported by more than 53% of voters and that city council had unanimously supported the charter change. Online supporters Susan Potter and Mr. Sullivan cited expert surveys and local experience, with Potter saying a UVA survey found broad support across neighborhoods and demographics and Sullivan saying the at-large system produced neglect and favored a small group of vendors.
Committee members asked about pending litigation; city attorney Boynton said litigation is stayed pending placement of the change in the charter. After discussion, the committee moved to report the bill as amended; the committee-recorded outcome was reported to the full committee as amended.
