Examination of Arlington’s County Board Structure and Performance

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Background
At the November 15, 2025 Regular County Board Meeting, the Arlington County Board shared a draft proposed charter to create an Advisory Panel that will examine Arlington County's current form of government. The Board voted to continue discussion on this topic to the proceeding Board meeting, to provide more time for feedback and consideration. 

After reviewing additional input and hearing additional public testimony, at the December 17, 2025 Carryover County Board meeting, an alternative motion was made by Board member Julius D. “JD” Spain, Sr. and was seconded by Board member Susan Cunningham.  This motion committed the Board to a series of initial efforts between December 2025 and the July 2026 Board meeting regarding this topic and was adopted unanimously. 

Next Steps
Details and a timeline on the next steps associated with this effort, now called “Examination of Arlington’s County Board Structure and Performance”, are available here. In addition to designating Board members Spain, Sr and Cunningham as County Board liaisons to this process, the initial efforts include, but are not limited to:  

  • A legal review of the County’s current form of government under Virginia Law and government structures used in other counties and cities;   

  • Engaging with non-partisan external research partner(s) to analyze the history of the current Arlington Government structure;   

  • Identifying, no later than March 15, the financial resources and procurement process to support this external research;   

  • Engaging with the Arlington School Board and the Arlington Electoral Board on this process; and  

  • Reporting back at the July 2026 Board meeting on findings to date and next steps. 

 

 

 

 

Staff Contacts

David Barrera, Comms & Policy Manager
Arlington County Board Office 
dbarrera@arlingtonva.us

Carol Garcia-Valenzuela, Aide
Board member Julius D. "JD" Spain, Sr. 
cgarcia-valenzuela@arlingtonva.us


Flora Yapi, Aide
Board member Susan Cunningham
fyapi@arlingtonva.us

 

 

Resources

Adopted
December 2025 "Examination of Arlington's County Board Structure and Performance" Document and Timeline(PDF, 2MB)


Previously Proposed
November 2025 Board Report(PDF, 153KB)
November 2025 Proposed Charter(PDF, 154KB)

 

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