The city of Charlottesville is considering ending its five-year campaign to revert to town status.
Charlottesville Mayor Virginia Daugherty announced last week that City Council would consider a resolution to reject the transformation of Charlottesville from an independent city to the largest town in Albemarle County.
Daugherty, Vice Mayor Meredith Richards and Councilman David J. Toscano are initiating the resolution, which will be considered at a public hearing Dec. 6.
The campaign began five years ago when concerned Charlottesville citizens collected 4,000 signatures from residents advocating a reversion, Toscano said.
Those who signed the petition argued that Albemarle County was not contributing enough money to city programs and services, he said.
Under reversion, Charlottesville's population would be added to Albermarle County's tax rolls, and the county would become responsible for Charlottesville's schools and services.
Toscano said while he feels there is "very little public support" for reversion, he believes there still is considerable support for improved city and county relations.
"The city is already cooperating with Albemarle County on a number of issues," he said.
He cited a joint water and sewer authority, public transportation, and fire services as examples of current cooperative efforts.
The city also is involved in a revenue-sharing agreement through which it annually receives funds from Albemarle County, he added.
Toscano said he advocates increased cooperation in the areas of education and social services, and said he believes collaboration is particularly needed for "helping students with special needs, establishing after-school programs, and improving teacher education."
Councilman Blake Caravati also said the issue of changing Charlottesville's status from a city to a town has "been off the agenda for over a year."
Caravati said it is "hard to gauge the level of support" for reversion, but expressed doubt that it is widespread.
He said he is opposed to reversion and will endorse the resolution to abandon the campaign.
"I don't think [reversion] is appropriate, considering how well the city has been doing," he added.
There could be considerable difficulty in transforming city schools to Albemarle County schools, Caravati said.
Whether or not the campaign continues, "we're going to take a conciliatory approach to working with Albemarle County on a number of issues," he said.
City Council is slated to vote on the resolution Dec. 20.
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