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Council adopts contested minutes 4–3 after debate over whether tax vote required supermajority
Summary
Council voted 4–3 to adopt the Feb. 10 minutes despite objections that the minutes recorded a tax as 'passed' when some members say state code requires a supermajority for imposing a tax. Council said the legal question will be decided in court but that the minutes should reflect what occurred.
The council debated whether to adopt minutes from its Feb. 10 meeting after members objected to language stating a tax rate 'passed.' Opponents argued the town's tax ordinance expires annually and that imposing a tax annually may require a supermajority under Virginia law; they said minutes should not state that the tax was passed pending a legal determination. Supporters said the minutes should accurately record the meeting events and that courts will decide the legal question.
After robust debate and citations to prior attorney comments, the council adopted the minutes by a 4–3 vote. Council members who opposed adoption said they did not want the minutes to imply a legal conclusion that might not survive court review; supporters said the town must keep a factual record of what transpired in the Feb. 10 session.
