Commission on Local Government approves annual cash proffers survey, names liaison to broadband advisory group

Henrico, Va. — The Virginia Commission on Local Government on May 12 approved a set of FY2022 survey questions on cash proffers that staff will send to every locality that collected cash-proffer income as of July 1, 2022, and agreed to several administrative and staffing changes.

Chair Diane M. Linderman called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. and Grace Wheaton, senior policy analyst at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, conducted roll call and confirmed a quorum with three members present in person and one member attending virtually.

The commission unanimously adopted the draft agenda and the March 10 minutes (motion by Edwin S. Rosado; second by Rosemary M. Mahan). Linderman opened the public comment period; no members of the public appeared.

Wheaton told the commission that LeGrand Northcutt, also a senior policy analyst at DHCD, will take over the commission’s administrative responsibilities from Wheaton beginning with the July meeting. The commission approved commending resolutions for former commissioners Michael Amyx, David Conmy and Cody Anderson; the resolutions will be mailed to Dr. Stephanie Davis for her signature before the July meeting.

Wheaton presented the annual cash-proffers survey questions, which staff said are the same as in prior years with updates for the current fiscal year. The commission approved the survey questions on a motion by Mahan, seconded by Rosado; staff plans to report the survey findings at the commission’s September meeting.

DHCD staff also updated commissioners on 2022 General Assembly activity, including a report on the Martinsville reversion and the department’s fiscal-impact statement scorecards. Wheaton said staff anticipates possible future changes to the fiscal-impact statement methodology and that packet materials will be updated with technical abbreviation changes; Dr. Stephanie Davis offered to assist with those revisions.

The commission nominated Rosemary M. Mahan to serve as the commission’s liaison to DHCD’s HB 445 Broadband Expansion Stakeholder Advisory Group to provide technical assistance; that advisory group is scheduled to make recommendations to the Broadband Advisory Committee by Sept. 30, 2022. The commission also nominated Chair Linderman to participate in the Virginia Code Commission’s SB 417 study of public requirements for localities if requested.

Wheaton briefed the commission on the FY2020 Fiscal Stress Report, noting that every locality except Hopewell had submitted data; staff said this will be the first fiscal stress report to incorporate data affected by the COVID‑19 pandemic. Wheaton added that the Auditor of Public Accounts’ fiscal distress report will be provided to commissioners after the meeting.

Commissioners confirmed the next regular meetings for July 14 and Sept. 8. Commissioner Ceasor T. Johnson, who joined the meeting in person during the cash-proffers discussion, asked staff to consider moving future meetings from Thursdays to Fridays because of his new work schedule; staff said it would consider the request. With no other business, the commission adjourned after a unanimous motion to close the meeting.

Actions taken at the meeting included adoption of the agenda, adoption of the March 10 minutes, approval of commending resolutions, approval of the FY2022 cash-proffers survey questions, and adjournment. Staff and commissioners said additional materials and reports will be provided to the commission following the meeting.