 |
About
the Compensation Board
Mission |
The mission of the Compensation Board is to
determine a reasonable budget for the participation of the Commonwealth toward the total
cost of office operations for Constitutional Officers, and to assist those officers and
their staff through automation, training and other means, to improve efficiencies and to
enhance the level of services provided to the citizens of Virginia. |
Staff Mission |
The mission of the Compensation Board staff is
to professionally implement the policies and decisions of the Compensation Board; to keep
Board members informed of major issues affecting Constitutional Officers; to assist local
governments in issues relating to constitutional officers; and to provide the highest
quality service and assistance to the constitutional officers consistent with Board policy
and the laws of Virginia. We recognize that constitutional officers are elected by the
people of Virginia and that our actions and decisions are for the ultimate benefit of the
people of Virginia. In providing our services to the Compensation Board, constitutional
officers and local governments, we value accuracy and timeliness, helpfulness and
courtesy, respect, integrity, fairness and frugality in the expenditure of public funds. |
Directions to the Compensation Board |
The Compensation Board is located on the 1st
floor of the Oliver W. Hill Building on Capitol Square at 102 Governor Street. |
|
I-95 North (From
Petersburg, Virginia)
In Richmond take exit 74A to the Downtown Expressway/I-195. Take the Canal Street exit,
turn left onto E. Canal St., turn right on S. 9th St., turn right on Bank St., turn left
on Governor St.; 102 Governor Street is on your left.I-95 South (From
Fredericksburg, Virginia)
In Richmond take exit 74B, Franklin St. Turn right on E. Franklin St., turn right on
Governor St.; 102 Governor Street is on your left.
I-64 East (From Charlottesville, Virginia)
In Richmond take exit 74B, Franklin St. Turn right on E. Franklin St., turn right on
Governor St.; 102 Governor Street is on your left.
I-64 West (From Williamsburg, Virginia)
In Richmond take exit 190 on the left to I-95 South, take exit 74B, Franklin St. Turn
right on E. Franklin St., turn right on Governor St.; 102 Governor Street is on your left.
Visitor Parking. Due to construction, parking in Capitol Squre
is not possible. The closest public parking lot to our building is located at 13th
and Main Streets. From this parking lot, walk up 13th Street toward the Capitol and when
you cross over Bank Street you will be walking up Governor Street. |
Directions to
Our Conference Room
|
Enter the Oliver W. Hill Building (old Finance
Building) at 102 Governor Street. You will be asked to sign in, provide a picture ID, and
be given a visitor's pass. Go through the glass doors at the security desk and take
the elevator up to level 'L' (up one level from ground level to the upper ground level).
When you reach the upper ground level, take a right off of the elevator and walk toward
the rear of the building. The Conference Room is located directly at the end of the
hallway. |
Directions to
Staff Offices
|
Enter the Oliver W. Hill Building (old Finance
Building) at 102 Governor Street. You will be asked to sign in, provide a picture ID, and
be given a visitor's pass. Go through the glass doors at the security desk and take
the elevator up to level '1' (Up two levels from ground level to the first floor). When
you reach the first floor, take a right and walk toward the rear of the building.
Staff offices are located to the left at the end of the tile hallway. |
Contact |
Fax Number: 804.371.0235 Delivery
Address (UPS and Fed Ex):
Oliver W. Hill Building
102 Governor Street
Suite 120
Richmond, VA 23219
Mailing Address (U.S. Postal):
P.O. Box 710
Richmond, VA 23218-0710 |
|
|
About
Constitutional Officers
| Thomas Jefferson believed deeply that government works best
when it is close to the people and ultimately responsible to them through the ballot box.
In Virginia, the public elects not just its local, state and federal representatives but
also its constitutional officers, so named because their offices are specifically
established by the Constitution of Virginia. This system dates back to the earliest days
of the nation and is based on the presumption that the most important services of
government should be made directly accountable to the citizens by popular vote. The
Clerk of the Circuit Court serves an eight year term. All other officers serve four year
terms. |
Constitution of Virginia
(1971) |
VA:Ar7:Sec-4.
County and city officers. - There shall be elected by the qualified voters of each county
and city a treasurer, a sheriff, an attorney for the Commonwealth, a clerk, who shall be
clerk of the court in the office of which deeds are recorded, and a commissioner of
revenue. The duties and compensation of such officers shall be prescribed by general law
or special act. The General Assembly may provide for county or city officers or methods
of their selection, including permission for two or more units of government to share the
officers required by this section, without regard to the provisions of this section,
either (1) by general law to become effective in any county or city when submitted to the
qualified voters thereof in an election held for such purpose and approved by a majority
of those voting thereon in each such county or city, or (2) by special act upon the
request, made after such an election, of each county or city affected. No such law shall
reduce the term of any person holding an office at the time the election is held. A county
or city not required to have or to elect such officers prior to the effective date of this
Constitution shall not be so required by this section.
The General Assembly may provide by general law or special act for additional officers
and for the terms of their office. |
|
The office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court dates from
1619. From those early days until the present, the Clerk's duties have changed
significantly, but the office remains vitally important to the residents of each county
and city. The Code of Virginia lists over 800 separate responsibilities for the Clerk,
many of which are highly complex and challenging. The Clerk serves as the recorder of
deeds and probate judge, issues marriage licenses and is the official court administrator
for all civil and criminal court cases. In this latter capacity, the Clerk creates and
maintains all court files and records, prepares court orders and jury lists, contacts
jurors and issues summons and court processes.
Circuit Court Clerks in Virginia perform duties that in many states are divided among
three or four separate offices. In keeping with tradition, therefore, Virginia has saved
its citizens significant tax dollars by combining judicial and administrative functions
into a single office. |
| Commissioner of the Revenue |
Commissioners of the Revenue are the chief tax assessing
officers in Virginia's cities and counties. They administer the assessments for businesses
and individuals in the following areas:
- Real estate taxes (in some cities and large suburban counties, assessors handle this
function)
- Personal property taxes
- Business license fees
- Consumer utility taxes
- Machinery and tools taxes
- Merchants capital taxes
- Special taxes on meals, lodging and cigarettes
Commissioners also spend considerable time working on state income taxes, helping
citizens complete their returns and performing initial processing prior to delivery of the
forms to the State Department of Taxation. |
| Commonwealth's Attorney |
The Commonwealth's Attorney represents the people of
Virginia in prosecuting criminal cases. The position is similar to that of the
"District Attorney" in many other states. The Commonwealth's Attorney, elected
by the people to a four year term, typically appoints one or more assistants to handle
cases under his or her supervision. All Commonwealth's Attorneys prosecute the most
serious crimes, known as felonies, including murder, rape and robbery. In many
jurisdictions, they also prosecute misdemeanors and violations of local ordinances,
including traffic offenses.
In the largest counties and cities, Commonwealth's Attorneys serve as full-time
prosecutors. In some smaller localities, they are paid a part-time salary and may maintain
a private practice.
Commonwealth's Attorneys have numerous other duties and responsibilities as set forth
in the Virginia Constitution and Virginia Code. |
| Sheriff |
The office of Sheriff began in colonial times and has
continued as an important part of local government throughout Virginia's history.
Initially, the Sheriff was not only the chief law enforcement officer, but also the
election supervisor and tax collector. Today, the Sheriff's responsibilities cover a range
of public safety functions that vary from locality to locality. In most counties,
sheriffs provide all law enforcement services, including investigating crimes, pursuing
offenders and making arrests. (In cities and large suburban counties, police departments
handle these functions.)
Sheriffs maintain local jails, housing from a handful to hundreds of offenders awaiting
trial or serving short sentences, and by statute are represented on governing boards of
all regional jails. The sheriff may also manage other local corrections programs and
transport criminal defendants to and from corrections facilities.
All Virginia sheriffs provide security in local courthouses, serve legal papers
throughout their jurisdictions, summon jurors and witnesses, and execute upon court
judgments.
Sheriffs are assisted in their duties by deputy sheriffs, appointed by the principal
officer. |
| Treasurer |
Virginia's city and county Treasurers are the chief
financial officers for their localities, collecting taxes and local fees, and making
payments on behalf of the local government. The Treasurer is responsible for every form of
revenue which comes to his or her locality including:
- Real estate taxes
- Personal property taxes
- License taxes
- Water and sewage charges
- Permit fees
- State income tax
- Court, Sheriff and Clerk fees
Treasurers also manage the investment of local funds and maintain records of local
finances.
The elected post of Treasurer was created in the Virginia Constitution of 1870. The
Treasurer's independent status as an elected official ensures that local funds will be
collected, invested and spent by an officer who reports directly to the people. |
|
Back to top |
Questions Frequently Asked by Constitutional Officers
Do I have to advertise a vacant position, how
long should the advertisement run, and what can I offer as a salary?
See 15.2-1604 for the Code of Virginia
requirements. The Code does not specify the length of time that you must
advertise. If you are not on a local pay plan, you should advertise the salary range
of the grade of the vacant position. How do I get a new
position?
You should make your request in your annual Compensation Board budget submission.
The Board is limited by law to a specific number of positions available for allocation to
Constitutional Officers. When new positions become available, the Board is required
to allocate them in priority order in accordance with workload based staffing standards.
When does the Compensation Board meet?
See the Training and Meeting Calendar.
My county/city budget has to be completed before I get my
Compensation Board budget in May. Can I get the information sooner?
The Board cannot set constitutional officer budgets until the General Assembly reconvenes
in April of each year. The Board meets in late April and final budgets are mailed on May
1. However, the Compensation Board publishes budget estimates on our website 15 days
after the adjournment of the General Assembly.
Can you send me job descriptions?
The Compensation Board does not maintain job descriptions of positions in the offices of
constitutional officers. We can, however, provide you with a list of officers who have
certified to the Board that they maintain job descriptions, and you may ask them for
copies.
My secretary is on maternity leave, can I get emergency funding for
a part time person?
You may request emergency funding by submitting a letter to the Compensation Board stating
the hourly rate, length of time needed and justification, and the date on which the
What are the new December 1 salaries, and when will I get a pay
scale and a list of the new salaries?
You may determine staff salaries effective December 1 by multiplying the current salary by
3.00% (4.82% for Sheriffs, Deputy Sheriffs and Regional Jail Correctional Officers).
New salary scales will be available on our website on or about November 17.
What is the cafeteria plan and can you give me the deductions?
Some local governments offer employees the opportunity to have insurance premiums
or dependent care contributions deducted from their paycheck before taxes are taken out.
Employees who have selected this option are participating in Section 125 or a
"cafeteria plan".
Because these deductions are made pre-tax, the employee's taxable
income is less than it would be otherwise. As a result, you must enter the correct
taxable salary amount on the SNIP permanent personnel screen. The OASDI figure will
be calculated based on the taxable salary entered. Please contact your locality's
payroll officer for correct deduction amounts.
Once you enter the monthly taxable salary (gross monthly salary minus
monthly amount of cafeteria plan contributions) into SNIP, that figure should be pulled
forward monthly until the next salary change or change in cafeteria amount occurs for that
employee. In this case, it is your responsibility to change the taxable salary
amounts in the month that the change occurs. (For example, taxable salaries should
be changed on your December SNIP report when the December 1 increase is approved for the
officer and staff.)
To illustrate how a change in the taxable salary is carried forward to
the OASDI deduction by SNIP, an example in provided in your office specific section of the
Operation Manual.
As a constitutional officer, are my staff members state or local
employees?
They are neither. They are appointees of a locally elected constitutional officer and
serve at the will and pleasure of that officer, concurrent with his or her term of office.
The May 1 Compensation Board approved budget set an amount in
hourly wage funding for my office. My County budget approved a lesser amount. What can I
do?
See Salaries.
|
Back
to top |
Questions Frequently Asked By The
Media and Citizens of the Commonwealth
I filed for
workers' compensation 2 months ago, and haven't heard from you. What is the status
of my claim?
We do not handle workers' compensation claims; you should call the Virginia Workers'
Compensation Commission at
(877)664-2566
I am not satisfied with the service I am
receiving from one of my Constitutional Officers. Can the Compensation Board help
me?
No. Our primary duty, as directed by the General Assembly and set out in the Code of
Virginia, is to establish a fair and reasonable budget for the participation of the
Commonwealth toward the total cost of office operations for Constitutional Officers.
We are a funding agency, and do not oversee or supervise elected Constitutional Officers.
What does the Compensation Board do?
Because state law requires that Constitutional Officers receive funding from both the
state and local governments, our primary mission is to determine
what constitutes the state's fair and reasonable share of Constitutional Officers'
budgets. We also reimburse local governments for the state's share of holding
inmates in local jails and report bi-monthly on jail population (Tuesday Report), provide an annual report on the cost of
operating all jails in the Commonwealth (Jail Cost Report),
and an annual report on the efforts of Courts and Commonwealth's Attorneys to collect
court ordered fines and Fees. (Fines and Fees
Report).
How does the budget process work?
Each year, the General Assembly determines the total amount of funds and positions
available to each group of Constitutional Officers, i.e., all Sheriffs,
Commonwealth's Attorneys, Treasurers, Commissioners of the Revenue and Circuit Court
Clerks. Also on an annual basis (February 1 of each year), the Constitutional
Officers submit their funding requests to the Compensation Board. Once the General
Assembly adjourns, and no changes are made at the Reconvened Session in April of each year
and a budget hearing is held, the Compensation Board determines the budget for each
individual Constitutional Officer and their locality. The approved Compensation Board
budget is approved on May 1 of each year, effective the following July 1st.
Isn't May 1 a bit late to inform local
governments of the amount of state funds they will be receiving from the Compensation
Board?
Yes, but we are unable to actually approve a budget for them until after the General
Assembly meets in the Reconvened Session (the "Veto" Session) in mid to late
April. In order to assist local governments and Constitutional Officers with budget
planning, we provide Budget Estimates two weeks after the
General Assembly adjourns from regular session. Estimates are available each year in
mid to late March.
What are the salaries of the Constitutional
Officers in my county?
The appropriate source for that information is the county. Our Salary Scales for Constitutional Officers will tell you the
minimum amount that the county must pay the Constitutional Officers but local governments
may pay a salary supplement to Sheriffs, Commonwealth's Attorneys, Treasurers, and
Commissioners of the Revenue, and we do not have that information.
How does the Compensation Board determine what is
a "fair and reasonable" budget?
Because nearly 95% of the Compensation Board's annual appropriation for Constitutional
Officers is for staff salaries, the Compensation Board uses workload based Staffing Standards to determine the total number of positions
that each office is due to perform duties mandated by state law. These standards
were developed by the Constitutional Officers associations, and adopted by the
Compensation Board. The Compensation Board is required by state law to adopt Staffing Standards and use them in allocating new positions.
What are the budgets for the Constitutional
Officers in my county, and how many positions do they have?
The appropriate source for that information is the county. Each local government has
the discretion to approve a budget and positions for their Constitutional Officers that
exceeds that approved by the Compensation Board. We only have information on what we
approve, which is usually less than the amount approved by their local government.
Will you mail me a copy of the Compensation Board
approved budgets for all Constitutional Officers in my locality?
Upon receipt of your written request (mail, fax or e-mail) we will determine the direct
costs associated with providing this information within five (5) workdays, and send you an
invoice for that exact amount. Upon receipt of your check or money order, we will
mail you the information.
We often hear from our Constitutional Officers
that they are "due" additional positions from the Compensation Board, but they
were not provided. Why is that?
We use the analogy that the Compensation Board is not the pie maker; we are the pie
cutter. If the General Assembly does not provide the Compensation Board with
additional positions, we cannot allocate additional positions to Constitutional Officers,
even if our staffing standards show that the office is due additional positions.
What recourse does a Constitutional Officer have
if they do not get what they want from the Compensation Board in the budget process?
They have a number of alternatives. The first alternative is for the Constitutional
Officer to request reconsideration by the Compensation Board of their budget decision.
The Compensation Board has 651 individual budget requests to review between
February 1 and May 1 of each year with a total staff
of 25 employees. Occasionally, a mistake is made, or a decision is rendered without
the benefit of a full explanation of need by the Constitutional Officer.
And if the Compensation Board confirms its
original decision?
Unlike any other local government entity receiving state funds (e.g., police departments,
local governments, school boards, etc.), Constitutional Officers have the right to file an
appeal and request a three-judge panel to review and act upon the Compensation Board's
budget decision.
How many appeals are filed each year? How
many actually go to court?
In FY00, two (2) appeals were filed, and none went to court. In FY99, five (5)
appeals were filed and none went to court.
Have the number of appeals increased or decreased
over the past 15 years?
In 1986-87, 85 appeals were filed; in 1987-88, 65 appeals were filed.
Why the dramatic decrease?
There are two reasons. First, the Constitutional Officers have a far
greater understanding of the funding process, thanks to training and education, and the
consistent use of workload based Staffing Standards by the Compensation Board to allocate
positions. They seem to recognize that the budget process is fair. Secondly,
state law changed in 1991 to require that any budget appeal filed by a Constitutional
Officer must also be filed against the local government.
How many Constitutional Officers do you fund?
We provide funding for 120 Commonwealth's Attorneys, 120 Circuit Court Clerks,
123 Sheriffs, 129 Treasurers, and 128 Commissioners of the Revenue. These 620
officers are all locally elected Constitutional Officers. We also provide funding
for 6 appointed Finance Directors who perform the duties of both a Commissioner of the
Revenue and the Treasurer, 18 Regional Jails, and 7 Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Prosecutors.
In total, we review and approve 651 separate budgets, and reimburse these offices
on a monthly basis.
How does the reimbursement process work?
The May 1 approved budgets tells the Constitutional Officer and local government
how much we will reimburse them for salaries and other expenses, and our Operating Manual gives them the terms and
conditions of our reimbursements. The local government approves a budget for the
Constitutional Officer, which in most every case is greater than the amounts approved by
the Compensation Board. After the Constitutional Officer approves the expenditures
of the funds, and the local government certifies to us that the expenditure has been made,
we reimburse the local government for the expenses in accordance with the terms and
conditions in the Operating Manual. |
Back to top |
|
