Va: county seats can be independent cities

[Anonymous]

I find this confusing.

[Anonymous]

I think you are misunderstanding.

It's not a "county seat".

There are different municipalities. "Cities" are politically/geographically separate municipalities from "counties."

You have the city of Fairfax and the county of Fairfax. They are distinct political regions. They are distinct municipalities. The city of Fairfax is surrounded by the county of Fairfax. It is not IN the county of Fairfax b/c they have distinct governments. The city of Vienna is surrounded by the county of Fairfax, but it is not part of the county of Fairfax. (Not to be confused with the part of Fairfax county that is known as "vienna" but is not within the City of Vienna boundaries.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you are misunderstanding.

It's not a "county seat".

There are different municipalities. "Cities" are politically/geographically separate municipalities from "counties."

You have the city of Fairfax and the county of Fairfax. They are distinct political regions. They are distinct municipalities. The city of Fairfax is surrounded by the county of Fairfax. [1]It is not IN the county of Fairfax b/c they have distinct governments. [2]The city of Vienna is surrounded by the county of Fairfax, but it is not part of the county of Fairfax. (Not to be confused with the part of Fairfax county that is known as "vienna" but is not within the City of Vienna boundaries.)

Not accurate, PP.

Regarding [1]. the City of Fairfax is within and is part of the County of Fairfax for state constitutional purposes, because they have elected, by local option, to share constitutional officers (like the Sheriff and the Commonwealth Attorney - the same officer holds the same title in each of the City and the County); and the City of Fairfax public schools do not exist separately from the County's - the City contracts-back public education to the County. Also note that Fairfax County owns land - the courthouse, jail, and admin buildings - that is surrounded by and within the City of Fairfax.

Regarding (2), Vienna is a town and not a City. In terms of independence from a county as the local government entity, only a City can be independent. The better example is the City of Richmond, which is not within a county, is not within Henrico, is not within Chesterfield, and has all of its own constitutional officers.

[Anonymous]

I think that OP was referring to the fact that county offices and courthouses are often located in independent cities rather than in the county. The Albemarle county government offices and courts, for example, are located in downtown Charlottesville. Frederick County government is headquartered in Winchester.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that OP was referring to the fact that county offices and courthouses are often located in independent cities rather than in the county. The Albemarle county government offices and courts, for example, are located in downtown Charlottesville. Frederick County government is headquartered in Winchester.

Exactly right. And Fairfax County is HQ'd largely within Fairfax City. A number of Virginia independent cities were carved out of counties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that OP was referring to the fact that county offices and courthouses are often located in independent cities rather than in the county. The Albemarle county government offices and courts, for example, are located in downtown Charlottesville. Frederick County government is headquartered in Winchester.

Indeed. Thanks for the replies, PPs! Glad I'm not the only one who geeks out over this stuff! -OP

[Anonymous]

Fairfax Co provides water for Falls Church City
Falls Church City real estate sales are recorded in Arlington County.
The Falls Church City High School is located in Fairfax County
The Falls Church City Santa Claus fire truck visits Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax Co provides water for Falls Church City
Falls Church City real estate sales are recorded in Arlington County.
The Falls Church City High School is located in Fairfax County
The Falls Church City Santa Claus fire truck visits Arlington.

This is the most shocking of all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax Co provides water for Falls Church City
Falls Church City real estate sales are recorded in Arlington County.
The Falls Church City High School is located in Fairfax County
The Falls Church City Santa Claus fire truck visits Arlington.

Falls Church has no Circuit Court, and no Commonwealth Attorney, and no jail. But it has a sheriff, who has no general police duties. And presumably is lonely.

Falls Church has its own schools, but its high school is not in Falls Church. Fairfax City is over 4 times the population of Falls Church, but Fairfax City contracts with Fairfax County to operate the City's schools.

Every Virginia City or County is entitled to a Treasurer and a Commissioner of the Revenue. Cities can consolidate the jobs. And different jurisdictions can share Constitutional Officers.