Subcommittee splits 4-3 to report Picosin charter change allowing council to remove appointees
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Summary
The subcommittee voted 4-3 to report a charter amendment requested by the Picosin City Council that would allow the council to remove appointed members of city boards and commissions by a four‑of‑seven vote and to replace the word “expel” with “remove.”
Senator Diggs presented a Picosin City Council request to amend that city’s charter to clarify how the council may remove appointees to boards and commissions.
Senator Diggs said the revision replaces the word “expel” with “remove” and adds explicit language permitting removal of appointees by a “fourseven majority” — meaning four of seven council members — a threshold the sponsor said mirrors other charter provisions in the city. He told the committee he consulted the Attorney General’s office and described the language as common in other charters.
A member of the committee asked what the current process is to remove a board or commission member; Diggs replied that removal authority is spelled out in different places in the Code of Virginia and can vary by board. Delegate Wyatt asked for confirmation that the change would apply to people the council appoints; Diggs confirmed that it would.
No members of the public spoke for or against the measure. The subcommittee moved to report the item, and the motion passed on a roll call vote of 4‑3.