SJR 261

Delivery of Governmental Services in the Greater Richmond Area

June 12, 1997, Richmond

The Joint Subcommittee Studying the Delivery of Governmental Services in the Greater Richmond Area discussed its work plan at its first 1997 meeting. This study is a continuation of SJR 383 (1995) and SJR 61 (1996).

The subcommittee agreed that the first item it should address is the consultant's, David M. Griffith & Associates, final report of its findings concerning water and sewer, social services and other human services. The final report on transportation was delivered to the subcommittee in January, immediately prior to the 1997 Session. The consultant will be contacted and asked to send the report to the subcommittee members in order for them to review it prior to the actual presentation, which should be in July or August.

It was brought to the attention of the subcommittee that the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce had just released a report on transportation in the Greater Richmond area in which it outlined six transportation projects crucial to growth and economic development. All agreed that an invitation should be sent to former Governor Gerald Baliles, chairman of the Regional Transportation Advocacy Board, to address the subcommittee concerning the report.

In another area of regional cooperation, it was brought to the attention of the subcommittee that an agreement on welfare reform had been entered into recently between the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, Hanover County and Henrico County. More information about this, along with other regional efforts recently undertaken, will be forthcoming at a future meeting.

Finally, it was suggested that the steering committee review the topics discussed by the subcommittee in its first year (1995) to be sure all areas of interest concerning regionalism have been investigated, as this is the final year for this subcommittee. The steering committee will meet before the next meeting of the subcommittee in order to report any topics that need further study.