In the November 8, 2022, Courthouse Referendum during the General Election, Augusta County residents voted with an overwhelming majority (86%) to construct the new courthouse facility in Verona. More than 30,000 votes were cast in the referendum.   

At the annual meeting of the Virginia General Assembly in January 2022, legislation was introduced to allow Augusta County to go to referendum in November 2022 and ask county citizens to decide the location of the courthouse. SB283 and HB902 was approved by the General Assembly in March. Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the legislation on May 27, 2022. 

The referendum language on the ballot in the November 8, 2022, election was as follows:

Under Virginia law, Augusta County must provide an adequate court facility for the Augusta County Courts. To accomplish that purpose:

Shall the county courthouse be relocated to Augusta County at a cost of $80,026,447?

Shall the county courthouse remain in the City of Staunton at a cost of $103,855,525?

Legislation was put forth before the General Assembly by Senator Emmett Hanger and Delegate John Avoli, prompted by the court order issued on September 13, 2021, by the Circuit Court Chief Judge against the Augusta County Board of Supervisors pursuant to Virginia Code § 15.2-1643. The county is under this court order to address the needs for a secure and safe courts facility.

A consent order by Judge David Melesco was entered on August 9, 2022, that acknowledges that the schematic plans for both projects submitted by the County would provide adequate court facilities and would meet the Virginia Courthouse Facility Guidelines.

December 8, 2021: The Board of Supervisors approved a proposed Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Staunton. The MOU garnered the city's support of legislation before the general assembly to allow a referendum in November 2022 to decide whether to move the county courthouse from downtown Staunton to Verona. In exchange for this support, the county would transfer the historic 1901 courthouse, district court buildings, and adjacent properties to the city. Because Staunton City Council did not approve the MOU, the proposed agreement is no longer invalid. 

September 14, 2021:  The Board of Supervisors issues a statement that details the obstructions faced in attempts to create a viable project in downtown Staunton, including the following: 

• Purchase of the Atlantic Union Bank building was considered the last viable option to obtain the adequate space needed in downtown Staunton to build a courthouse that satisfied the current needs of any modern-day court system. The county and bank could not reach an agreeable purchase price nor agree on conditions surrounding its sale.  
• Vacillating and inconsistent indications of support from members of Staunton City Council encouraged the start, and ultimate failure, of initiatives at great cost to the county. 
• Opposition from the historic preservation commission created an impassable environment in which to develop the project.  

September 13, 2021: The Circuit Court Chief Judge issued an order against the Augusta County Board of Supervisors pursuant to Virginia Code § 15.2-1643. This action started a judicial process to address the space needs for a secure and safe court facility. The Board of Supervisors will cooperate with the judicial process which may include accepting the recommendations from an appointed committee who will report back to a judge from a different circuit who is assigned by the Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court. The purpose of this committee is “to review the court facilities in question and make recommendations to the local governing body and circuit court judge assigned by the Chief Justice concerning the construction or repairs deemed necessary” as stated in the Code of Virginia. 

February 2020 - August 2021: Although negotiations with Atlantic Union Bank about the purchase of their building in downtown Staunton had been ongoing for several years, discussions began again with renewed vigor. 

Jan 8, 2021:  In the spirit of continued collaboration, Augusta County withdrew the Notice of Appeal.

December 15, 2020:  A Joint Statement from Augusta County and the City of Staunton updated the public about the productive ongoing discussions progressing towards positive solutions for the courthouse project.  

November 24, 2020:  In the spirit of continued discussion between the County and City, Augusta County, as a formality, requested to defer the appeal to Staunton City Council until their Jan. 14, 2021, meeting. 

October 29, 2020: Augusta County filed an appeal to City Council to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the Courthouse expansion project. The appeal was scheduled for the City Council's Nov. 12, 2020, meeting.

October 27, 2020:  The Historic Preservation Commission denied the County’s Certificate of Appropriateness for the 1901 Circuit Courthouse expansion project. 

October 6, 2020:   Augusta County submitted an application for a certificate of appropriateness from the City of Staunton’s Historic Preservation Commission. The application included descriptions, drawings, photographs, plans, and documentation that are required by the commission.

On September 23, the Board approved an amended contract with Moseley Architects for services related to expansion of the 1901 Circuit Courthouse. Additional funds ($445,843) were allocated for this work.

September 2020:  The County was presented with opportunities to purchase properties adjacent to the courthouse. Options were secured on nine properties that would provide space on which to expand the courthouse allowing for space, operational, and security needs to be met. 

On June 24, 2020, the Board voted to have staff resume research and explore expansion options in downtown Staunton that would accommodate all courts safely.

On April 8, 2020, the Board voted to cease ongoing work connected to the courthouse due to the uncertain budgetary effects of revenue impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

At this point,  the site plan and construction plans for temporary courts space at Beverley Manor Elementary was nearing completion. A renovation bid had originally been anticipated for 2020. Demolition of the current District Courts Building and construction of the new courts building and renovation of the 1901 courthouse was in the schematic design phase. The total project cost for the three recommendations (from 2018) is estimated at $60 to $70 million.

On January 22, 2020, the Board voted to purchase the property at 111/113 South Augusta Street, which is adjacent to the District Court building, in order to properly straddle the stream that runs through the property and increase the footprint of available space for the court.

May 20, 2019:

Staff and Moseley Architects presented to the Board:

1. Conceptual and schematic design of Beverley Manor Elementary temporary courts
2. The need for a public use overlay (PUO) at Beverley Manor Elementary
3. Conceptual design for the new courthouse including historical requirements and height restrictions

BOS Update on May 20, 2019

September 25, 2019:

Board of Supervisor voted 5-2 to approve the purchase agreement for property located at 111/113 South Augusta Street, Staunton.

Board of Supervisor's Minutes September 25, 2019

September 12, 2018:

The Board voted 6-1 to negotiate and sign a contract with Moseley Architects for architectural and engineering services for services indicated below.

Board of Supervisor's Minutes September 12, 2018

June 6, 2018 Request for Proposals

May 23, 2018 Board of Supervisor's Minutes

May 23, 2018 Committee Report and Recommendation

May 23, 2018: 

Committee recommendations were presented to the Board of Supervisors for: 

1. Demolition and rebuilding on the current General District Courts site
2. Renovation of the 1901 Circuit Courthouse to office space
3. Relocation of courts to Beverley Manor Elementary School (temporary space)

The Board of Supervisors voted 6-1 to advertise for a Request for Proposals for design services.  

May 10, 2017:

The Board of Supervisors was presented with a plan to expand the Circuit Courthouse that would include room for General District Court, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and associated court functions.  The plan would include acquiring property along Barrister's Row and closing of that street.

As a result, the project was determined not feasible as the City would not allow buildings located along Barrister's Row to be demolished.

Board of Supervisor's Minutes May 10, 2017

2017 Concept (LINEAGE PLAN) Summary

In 2016, consideration of building a courts complex at the Government Center, which would satisfy space needs at a lower cost than building a new facility in downtown Staunton, was placed on the referendum during the November 2016 election. The courts complex would have included space for all three courts and related court functions. 

Leading up to the referendum on November 8, 2016, town hall meetings at Buffalo Gap, Riverheads, Stuarts Draft, Woodrow Wilson and Fort Defiance high schools and at the Government Center were used as an opportunity to educate the public and allow citizens to ask questions. There were also additional meetings at churches, community centers, Staunton City Hall, and various community associations such as the Rotary, Ruritan and Lions Clubs. Tours of the 1901 Courthouse along with the Districts Courts Buildings were given on September 24 and October 12, 2016. Information was also available at the Government Center and events such as Sweet Dreams and the Augusta County Fair.

In addition, flyers were sent in the mail, articles placed in the Parks and Recreation Guide, in local newspapers, on the County's website and on Facebook.

According to VA Code, specific language is required to be placed on the ballot for referendum.  It includes the location and cost.  No additional explanations can be given. 

Required Ballot Statement per Code:

Shall the Courthouse of Augusta County be removed to the Augusta County Government Center Complex in Verona, Virginia, and shall the Board of Supervisors be permitted to spend $45,000,000.00 therefore?

Results of the referendum:

Since the referendum did not pass, the County must comply with a state law that limits the County to building a courthouse on the current Circuit Court site or adjacent property.

2016 Informational Brochure

Public Presentation

Board of Supervisors Minutes October, 12, 2016

August 11, 2015:

Prior to the 2016 referendum, Augusta County and Staunton discussed consolidating courts.  The City of Staunton hired Frazier and Associates to complete the study.  The study indicated:

• Consolidation of Augusta and Staunton Courts.
• 30,167 square feet provided with utilization of three buildings in Staunton.

This option would require both Augusta County and Staunton to hold a referendum to consolidate.  Both referendums would have to pass in order to complete the consolidation.  Negotiations were not favorable to proceed.

2015 (Frazier) Staunton / County Consolidated Concept

July 10, 2015:

In a position paper from the Circuit Court Judge, it was determined that all County courts are insufficient and must be studied.  Therefore, Augusta County hired Moseley Architects, through a Request for Proposals process, to complete a Space Needs Analysis & Conceptual Design for a New Courts Facility at the Government Center in Verona, Virginia.  This study was completed for all three courts: Circuit, General District and Juvenile & Domestic Relations Courts.

 2015 (Moseley) Space Needs Study & Verona Concept including 2016 Amendment (Moseley) Space Needs Study

Relevant Board of Supervisor's Minutes:

Board of Supervisor's Minutes October 28, 2015 - Augusta County / Staunton negotiations discussion.

Board of Supervisor's Minutes October 14, 2015 - Augusta County / Staunton negotiations discussion.

Board of Supervisor's Minutes April 8, 2015 - Consideration of the Architectural/Engineering firm.

Board of Supervisor's Minutes March 11, 2015 - Board of Supervisor's voted 6-0 (one absent), to proceed with the study phase and determine costs requested by the circuit Court Judge necessary for the November 3, 2016 referendum. (Architecture / Engineering firm through RFP)

Board of Supervisor's Minutes February 11, 2015 - Courthouse relocation discussion.

Board of Supervisor's Minutes January 28, 2015 - Board of Supervisors voted 7-0 to petitioning the Augusta County Circuit Court for issuance of a Writ of Election to remove he Augusta County Courthouse (County Seat).

October 2012:

In 2012 Frazier and Associates built upon the (Fentress) Study and completed an extensive feasibility study of the Augusta County Circuit Courthouse which includes:

• 23,991 square feet of renovated space and 3,886 square feet expansion.
• Cost was estimated to be $9,501,310 for a fall 2013 construction date.
• The study indicated the court temporary location, during construction was not included in the estimate.

2012 (Frazier) Circuit Courthouse Feasibility Study, Volume 1

2012 (Frazier) Circuit Courthouse Feasibility Study, Volume 2

Board of Supervisor's Minutes March 28, 2012

July 2012:

In 2012 the (Fentress) Courthouse Needs Assessment and Space Program was completed.  The study indicated:

• The lack of separate circulations systems for the Judge, prisoners, and public.
• Three improvement scenarios for the Circuit Courthouse.
• A fourth improvement scenario to include a new judicial complex which is the most cost-effective alternative.