A. Whenever a petition, signed by voters equal in number to at least ten percent of the number of voters registered in the locality on January 1 preceding its filing, is filed with the applicable circuit court, the court shall by order entered of record, in accordance with Article 5 (§ 24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, require the regular election officials to open the polls and submit to the voters at such election the question of establishing and conducting a system of public recreation and playgrounds and levying a specified annual tax therefor, provided that such tax shall not exceed two cents on each $100 of the assessed valuation of property subject to local taxation.
B. Upon the adoption of such proposition by a majority of the voters voting in the election, the local authorities shall provide for the establishment and conduct of a system of recreation and playgrounds and for the levy and collection of such tax and shall designate the body to be vested with the powers and duties necessary to the conduct thereof.
Code 1950, § 15-700; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-274; 1975, c. 517; 1997, c. 587.