Administration

Frequently Asked Questions

County Administration

Boards and Commissions

Roads

 

County Administration

What is the role of the County Administrator?

  • The County Administrator guides and directs the day-to-day operations of County government under the authority of the Board of Supervisors and has ultimate responsibility for all phases of local government. The County Administrator is responsible for recommending policies and implementing programs for the Board of Supervisors, and for ensuring compliance with federal, state and local laws.

To whom does the County Administrator report?

  • The County Administrator is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and reports directly to the Board. The Board of Supervisors deals with the County Administrator on all matters relating to County government administration.

What are the County Administrator's primary responsibilities?

  • The County Administrator appoints all department heads/directors, and the employees of these departments are responsible to the County Administrator. The County Administrator submits the annual proposed County budget to the Board of Supervisors and makes recommendations to the Board regarding actions and policy decisions.

 

Boards and Commissions

Where can I find a list and descriptions of the County's boards and commissions?

How can I volunteer to serve on a board or commission?

  • When a vacancy comes up on a board or commission, a press release is sent to the newspapers and posted to this web site. The press release announces which board/commission has a vacancy, a short description of the board/commission's function, how to apply and the deadline for applying. Applications will not be accepted unless a vacancy has been announced. 

What are the requirements to serve on a board/commission?

  • Appointees must be registered voters with no delinquent taxes. Interviews and background checks apply to all appointments. Some boards/commissions, such as the Community College Board, the Industrial Development Authority, the Juvenile Detention Commission, ask for specific areas of expertise. 

What are some of the functions of the boards/commissions?

  • Of the nearly 50 volunteer boards/committees/commissions/authorities in the County, the functions vary. For example, the Planning Commission makes recommendations on land use issues such as rezoning, special use permits and the County's Comprehensive Land Use Plan. A description of each board/committee/commission/authority is listed on the Boards, Commissions and Committees page.

 

Roads

How can I get a Watch for Children sign in my neighborhood?

  • Residents submit a petition requesting "Watch for Children" signage
  • Staff reviews the request to ensure the following minimum threshold requirements have been met:
    • The road must have a daily traffic count of at least 200 vehicles
    • The road must be 300 feet or more in length
    • The road must be classified by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) as a minor collector or local road
  • If the threshold requirements are met, staff continues to review the request based on the following considerations:
    • The kind of traffic the road carries
    • The speed limit along the road
    • Land uses along the road
    • Demographic characteristics of the households along the road
    • Physical characteristics of the road that could prevent motorists from being able to stop or slow down in time to avoid contact with a child
  • Staff submits a written recommendation for denial or approval of the request to the Board of Supervisors, along with a detailed explanation of the rationale behind the recommendation based on the above characteristics. In cases where approval is recommended, the number and location of signs are included in the recommendation.
  • Upon receipt of recommendation from staff, the Board of Supervisors may request that VDOT install and maintain this type of signage.
  • The request should be submitted by the County to the local VDOT resident engineer. All requests must be in the form of a resolution directed to the Transportation Commissioner.
  • The resolution will include the source of funding for the installation of signs: out of the secondary system construction allocation to Montgomery County, from direct contributions or grants made for such purpose to Montgomery County or from such other sources as may be provided by the County. The costs of maintaining such signs are paid out of the secondary system maintenance allocation to the County.
  • The resolution will also include the location(s) where the signs are desired. However, VDOT reserves the right to review all sign plans and make the final determination as to the exact number and location of signs.
  • Upon receipt of the resolution from the County, the resident engineer, with assistance from the district traffic engineer as necessary, reviews the request and conducts a field review to ensure the proposed signs will be effectively located and will not be in conflict with any other traffic control devices. VDOT makes the final determination regarding the exact number and location of signs.
  • Generally, WATCH FOR CHILDREN signs are installed only on secondary routes within residential areas. Any requests to install such signs on primary routes are forwarded to the state traffic engineer for review.
  • Within 30 days of receipt of the resolution, a written response will be provided by VDOT to the Board of Supervisors granting or denying the request. If the request is granted, the response should include any recommended changes to the signage plan proposed by the County