Since 1962, the Town of Blacksburg has been organized under the Council-Manager form of government. The Blacksburg Town Council is the legislative body of the Blacksburg local government that is responsible for adopting all ordinances and resolutions, approving the annual operating and capital budgets, setting all tax rates, approving the five year Capital Improvement Program, setting all user fees, making land use and zoning decisions, and establishing long range plans and policies.
The Council appoints a Town Manager to act as administrative head of the Town. He serves at the pleasure of Council, carries out policies, directs business procedures, and has the power of appointment and removal of all Town employees except the Town Attorney and the Town Clerk, who are also appointed by the Council. Duties and responsibilities of the Town Manager include preparation, submittal, and administration of the capital and operating budgets; advising the Council on the affairs of the Town; handling citizens' complaints; maintenance of all personnel records; enforcement of the Town Charter and laws of the Town; and direction and supervision of all departments.
The Council, in its legislative role, adopts all ordinance and resolutions and establishes the general policies of the Town. The Council also sets the real estate tax rate and approves and adopts the annual operating budget.
The Town Council meets in regular session the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers of the Municipal Building, 300 South Main St. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Meetings are televised live on WTOB Community Access Television.
Public hearings are held to provide an opportunity for citizen input on actions taken by Town Council. Public notice of hearings are published in the Roanoke Times' New River Valley Current 13 and 20 days prior to the public hearing date. Announcements of public hearings are also displayed in the Municipal Building Lobby and on WTOB Channel 2.
Election Information The election of members of Town Council and the Mayor are held on the general election date in November of odd-numbered years beginning in November 2009. The mayor serves a four-year term and the council members serve four-year staggered terms.
Citizens age 18 and over may register to vote at the Montgomery County Voter Registration Office, Room 220, Christiansburg, VA, 540-382-5741; at the DMV when applying for a motor vehicle driver's license; by mail (applications available at the Blacksburg Library, Blacksburg Post Office, DMV, Christiansburg Library); or in person at special registration locations set-up prior to elections.
Blacksburg has two polling places for local elections: the Blacksburg Community Center and the Library. Call 540-382-5741 for voter registration information and locations that provide public assistance or are primarily engaged in serving persons with disabilities.