county, city, and town government (Arlington, Alexandria: elementary schools, buses, offices)

[linux_n_Pontiac]

Will someone outline for me why Virginia cities are their own entities, i.e., they do not seem to be part of a county? For example, Fairfax City, though completely surrounded by Fairfax County, appears to have its own government and police force. Do they have nothing to do with Fairfax County? Do counties have county seats? What about towns, like Dumfries? If Dumfries has its own police force, do the Prince William County police have any jurisdiction in the town? By contrast, Georgia is big on county government, but their cities don't seem as autonomous from the counties that they are in as compared with Virginia. For example, the city of Atlanta is the county seat of Fulton County. Thanks.

[car54]

Originally Posted by linux_n_Pontiac

Will someone outline for me why Virginia cities are their own entities, i.e., they do not seem to be part of a county? For example, Fairfax City, though completely surrounded by Fairfax County, appears to have its own government and police force. Do they have nothing to do with Fairfax County? Do counties have county seats? What about towns, like Dumfries? If Dumfries has its own police force, do the Prince William County police have any jurisdiction in the town? By contrast, Georgia is big on county government, but their cities don't seem as autonomous from the counties that they are in as compared with Virginia. For example, the city of Atlanta is the county seat of Fulton County. Thanks.

Virginia cities and towns are incorporated. I think it goes WAY back to when independent entities like the Cities of Falls Church, Fairfax, Alexandria and the Towns of Vienna, Clifton, Dumfries, etc were islands in the wilderness. As development advanced outward, areas near, but outside of the corporate limits of these cities and towns took their names.

Although I've never heard the term "county seat" used around here...I would imagine that the City of Fairfax was and is the county seat of Fairfax County.

What surprised me is the relative "youth" of Arlington County....it was Alexandria County until just 1920.

[billybobwv]

In Virginia everything is either "county" or "independent city". Towns, even though many of them like Leesburg are bigger than many of the so-called independent city, they are still part of the county.

Not sure about Northern Virginia but there are several independent cities around Virginia that are county seats.

Winchester is a classic example at how weird this "Independent city" form of government can be.

Even though Winchester is an independent city they are still the county seat of Frederick County. The two places share the courthouse and Frederick County has a huge goverment building in the center of downtown Winchester. Frederick County has many offices scattered throughout Winchester such as their social services which is located a few blocks from Winchester's.

The county even has a few schools within Winchester city limits even though Winchester has their own school system. In fact for a time there were two elementary schools right next door to each other, one for Frederick County, the other for Winchester. And yes that was confusion for some of the students...snow days for example.

The Frederick County Parks Department is located...yes in Winchester. And yes Winchester has their own Parks Department.
Talk about a waste of money !!

Even though Winchester has their own sheriff, the Frederick County Sheriffs department can and often does have a say within Winchester. Say you run a red light in Winchester and Frederick County sees you, they can write you a ticket. The center piece of downtown Winchester? The old FREDERICK COUNTY courthouse.

All that despite the fact Winchester isn't a part of Frederick County. No wonder that area is talking merger !! Might as well !!

Harrisonburg ( independent city ) is the county seat for Rockingham County. Like Winchester, there is a lot of "county" in the city. County school buses roam the streets of Harrisonburg, county offices are located inside city limits, dittos with the county courthouse...

A county seat who isn't a part of the county. Only in Virginia !!!

[Nancy in Nokomis]

I also have a question - does the town of Fairfax (not Fairfax city) have its own mayor and town council? I dont get how it works.

[DavidS827]

Originally Posted by Fairfax Mom

I also have a question - does the town of Fairfax (not Fairfax city) have its own mayor and town council? I dont get how it works.

Nevermind...Sorry I misread your post.