The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors opined Tuesday on several pieces of legislation proposed in the 2012 session of the Virginia General Assembly.

While the 2012 legislative discussion was initially slated for the supervisors’ Feb. 1 business meeting, the board opted to begin the lengthy dialogue on transportation and eminent domain proposals a day earlier, focusing mainly on Republican Gov. Robert McDonnell’s transportation initiatives.

McDonnell’s “transportation omnibus package”—companion bills introduced in both the state Senate and House of Delegates—offers some transformational changes to transportation and land-use funding and processes.

One aspect of the governor’s package which drew the ire of several supervisors was a measure that would create a Virginia Toll Road Authority, the members of which would be appointed by the governor.

The proposed toll road authority could “exercise the power of eminent domain, issue revenue bonds, acquire property, enter into contracts with certain private entities and public agencies to maintain, operate, and/or construct facilities.”

According to a report from Loudoun County staff, the companion bills – SB 639 and HB 1248—would “provide for the construction, maintenance, and funding of transportation by (i) creating transportation construction districts and the Transportation Improvement District Fund to identify, construct, and fund certain transportation projects, including the authority to issue revenue bonds; (ii) creating the Virginia Toll Road Authority to fund transportation projects through tolls and other charges, (iii) increasing the dedicated transportation allocation of the sales and use tax from 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent, phased in over eight years, with the additional revenue dedicated for highway maintenance and operation, (iv) increasing transportation’s share of year-end surpluses to 75 percent, (v) dedicating a portion of revenue growth each year to transportation, and (vi) requiring localities to create transportation plans as part of comprehensive planning.”

“Obviously the bills are complicated,” said John Sandy, Loudoun County Assistant Administrator. “Some of the information is still new to staff in terms of what the eventual purpose is going to be for the commonwealth.”

Supervisor Ralph Buona (R-Ashburn) expressed concern about the proposed toll road authority having eminent domain powers.

“You’re giving and empowering a non-elected body to have the right of eminent domain authority,” Buona said. “And that’s quite troublesome, given they’re non-elected.”

Staff’s analysis for the omnibus package ranged from supporting certain elements, to opposing or remaining neutral on others.

Ultimately, the board unanimously agreed to endorse staff’s opinion on the wide-ranging legislation.

Supervisor Ken Reid (R-Leesburg) clarified the board wasn’t supporting all the legislation, but rather staff’s views of legislation.

“I really don’t see anything wrong with the staff’s analysis and supporting the resolution as the staff gave it to us, because it doesn’t say that we’re in support of these various items; it basically lists staff’s opposition to certain items and support for others,” Reid said. “I think it’s commendable that the governor is actually doing this.”

Janet Clarke (R-Blue Ridge), however, was quick to point out that the legislation in question may change a “great extent” by the time the bills are voted on.