Constitutional Officers

Constitutional Officers are positions created by the Constitution of Virginia and the duties for each office are prescribed in The Code of Virginia. They perform governmental duties at the local level and the local governing body must fund a portion of each budget.

Each officer is an elected public official (not appointed by the City Manager or Council) with all but the Clerk having a four-year term of office. The Clerk has an eight-year term.


Clerk of Circuit Court

The Clerk of Circuit Court's Office serves as the recorder of deeds and probate judge, issues marriage licenses and is the official court administrator for all civil and criminal court cases.  In the latter capacity, the Clerk creates and maintains all court files and records, prepares court orders and jury lists, contacts jurors and issues summons and court processes.

William GardnerWill Gardner
Clerk

Joint Judicial Center
5 North Kent Street
Winchester, VA  22601
(540) 667-5770
Fax: (540) 667-6638

Email Will

 


Commissioner of the Revenue

The Commissioner of the Revenue's Office is responsible for the equitable application of laws of the Commonwealth and the Ordinances of the City that impact taxation.

This office administers the following local taxes:

  • Vehicular and Business Personal Property Tax Assessment
  • Local Business, Professional Occupational License Taxes
  • Excise Taxes: Meals, Lodging, Admissions, Short-Term Rental, Cigarette Taxes
  • Real Estate Tax Relief for Low Income Elderly and/or Totally Disabled Homeowners
  • Real Estate Tax Relief for Qualifying Disabled Veterans and Qualifying Spouses of Service Members Killed in Action
  • Partial Real Estate Tax Exemption for Rehabilitated Historic Property, Rehabilitated Enterprise Zone Property and Abated Derelict Property
  • Motor Vehicle Registration
  • Public Service Corporation Levies
  • Bank Franchise Taxes

Ann BurkholderAnn Burkholder
Commissioner of the Revenue

Creamery Building
21 S. Kent Street, Ste. 100
​Winchester, VA  22601
(540) 667-1815, option 4
Fax: (540) 667-8937

Email Ann


Commonwealth Attorney

The Commonwealth's Attorney is an elected, constitutional, law enforcement official, independent in his duties from both City and State. The office is responsible for the prosecution of all felony and misdemeanor cases required by law or court order, and the provision of legal advice to elected officials upon request. The Office provides services which support the victims and witnesses involved in the various cases handled by the Office.

The office prosecutes cases in all three courts located in the Joint Judicial Center. These courts are the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court, General District Court and Circuit Court.

Heather HovermaleHeather Hovermale
Commonwealth's Attorney

Creamery Building
21 S. Kent Street, Ste. 200
Winchester, VA  22601
(540) 722-7940
Fax: (540) 665-9087

Email
 


Sheriff

The Winchester Sheriff's Office is responsible for transportation of prisoners, providing courthouse and courtroom security for local District and Circuit Courts and serving all civil process and temporary detention orders within the city. 

William SalesWilliam Sales
Winchester City Sheriff

Joint Judicial Center
5 North Kent Street
Winchester, VA  22601
(540) 667-5770, ext. 457, 459 or 460
Fax: (540) 667-6438

Email Sheriff Sales


Treasurer

The Treasurer's Office is responsible for the collection of funds that are given in payment of personal property taxes, real estate taxes, dog licenses, business licenses, meals tax, etc. Tax assessed by the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office is paid to the Treasurer's Office.

Jeff BarbourJeff Barbour
Winchester City Treasurer

Creamery Building
21 S. Kent Street, Ste. 101
Winchester, VA  22601
(540) 667-1815, option 3
Fax: (540) 662-2672

Email Jeff