58.1-3376 - Organization and assistants; legal assistance. - Virginia Statutes

§ 58.1-3376. Organization and assistants; legal assistance.

A. Every board of equalization shall elect one of its members as chairman andanother as secretary, and may employ necessary clerical and other assistantsand call in advisors and fix their compensation, subject to the approval ofthe governing body of the county or city, to be paid out of the localtreasury.

B. In any city with a population of more than 100,000, when the board ofequalization, in fulfilling its functions, desires legal advice, the boardshall request such advice from the attorney for the city or county for whichthey were appointed.

Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, general or special, suchattorney shall in a timely manner give his advice to the board.

If there is no such attorney or the attorney has a conflict, the board shallmake a written request to the city or county governing body to employ anattorney to advise the board. The governing body shall respond in writingwithin ten days from receipt of such request.

If the governing body refuses to honor the board's request, then the boardshall apply to the circuit court that appointed it. The judge of such circuitcourt may authorize the employment of an attorney to advise the board andorder that the attorney be paid out of the local treasury.

(Code 1950, § 58-901; 1984, c. 675; 1994, c. 509.)