Commission sets expedited review for Martinsville’s bid to become a town within Henry County

The Commission on Local Government on July 8 adopted a staff-recommended schedule to expedite review of the City of Martinsville’s intent to petition for town status within Henry County.

David Conmy, Local Government Administrator at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, said a Memorandum of Understanding between Martinsville and Henry County would allow the two governing bodies to create a Voluntary Settlement Agreement. He told the Commission a formal Notice including that agreement must be filed with the Commission and staff before the formal review process begins. Because staff already has access to some materials, Conmy said the review timeline could reasonably be shortened to finish in October.

The motion to adopt the staff-recommended review schedule was made by R. Michael Amyx and seconded by Rosemary M. Mahan; the motion passed. Under the schedule approved July 8, staff will prepare a final report for consideration at a special Commission meeting on Oct. 15.

The Commission’s action begins the formal administrative review process; Conmy said that the formal Notice and the supporting Voluntary Settlement Agreement are prerequisites to the review. The Commission did not take a final position on the petition itself at this meeting; the approved schedule establishes deadlines and a path for staff review and Commission consideration.

Next steps: staff will await the formal Notice and the Voluntary Settlement Agreement from the parties, continue its review and present findings and a draft report in the October special meeting for the Commission’s decision.