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Madison County's Elected Constitutional OfficersUnder Article VII, Section 4 of the Virginia Constitution, each locality must elect five specific officers: Treasurer, Sheriff, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Clerk of the Circuit Court, and Commissioner of Revenue. The duties and compensation of each officer are as prescribed by general law or special act of the General Assembly.
The Circuit Court Clerk is elected for a term of eight (8) years, and she is responsible for the management of the Madison County Circuit Court through a variety of judicial, non-judicial and fiscal actions. Judicial functions include processing all criminal and civil cases coming before the Court, and providing staff to the judge during all trials and hearings. In addition, the Clerk’s staff prepares records, maintains court orders, subpoenas and pleadings and manages the Court’s docket and juries. Non-judicial functions of the Clerk’s office include admitting or denying wills to probate, qualifying executors and guardians, and recording all land records, deeds, powers of attorney and real estate transactions. The office also processes and records judgments, financing statements, marriage licenses, passports and concealed weapon permits and handles a variety of appointments.
The Commissioner of Revenue is elected for a term of four (4) years. Her duties include ascertaining and assessing, at fair market value, all subjects of taxation in the County and timely entering such property onto the County’s real and personal property tax books each year; working closely with the professional assessor appointed by the Board of Supervisors, to provide information necessary to facilitate the identification, classification and assessment of property subject to real estate assessment; administration of the county’s program for property tax deferrals for elderly and handicapped persons; and administration of the County’s program for special land use assessments.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney is elected for a term of four (4) years. The Commonwealth’s Attorney serves as the County’s criminal prosecutor, and he represents the Commonwealth of Virginia in criminal cases in the General District Court, Circuit Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts.
The Sheriff is elected for a term of four (4) years. He is the County’s chief law enforcement officer. To carry out this duty, he is authorized by the Code of Virginia to appoint deputies as well as civilian staff.
The Treasurer is elected for a term of four (4) years and serves both the County and the Town of Madison. It is the duty of the Treasurer to collect all taxes due to the County, and to receive and account for every other form of revenue which comes to the County including license fees, permit fees, State income taxes, and fees associated with the Court system. The Treasurer is also responsible for managing the investment of all existing funds, including bond proceeds, and she represents the County and School Board in all banking activities. The Treasurer’s sovereign status as an elected official ensures that local funds will be collected and invested by an officer who reports directly to the people. |
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