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Smyth County opposes state bills that would mandate local collective bargaining
Summary
The Board unanimously adopted a resolution opposing HB 1263 and SB 378, saying mandatory collective bargaining would remove local discretion and create unfunded obligations; County Administrator Shawn Utt told the Board the bills could increase county costs by $3–4 million.
The Smyth County Board of Supervisors on March 26 adopted a resolution opposing pending state legislation — HB 1263 in the House and SB 378 in the Senate — that would impose mandatory collective bargaining for local governments.
County Administrator Shawn Utt presented a VACO resolution for board consideration, saying the bills would eliminate local option and could impose a $3–4 million cost increase on the county. The resolution states that mandating collective bargaining "shifts authority away from locally elected officials and imposes an unfunded mandate with significant fiscal and administrative consequences for local governments and taxpayers."
Park District Supervisor Kristopher Ratliff moved to adopt the resolution; Rye Valley District Supervisor Jason Parris seconded. The motion passed unanimously among members present. The Board directed that the Clerk transmit the resolution to the Governor and members of the Virginia General Assembly.
