Government

Wythe County has a County Administrator and elected Board of Supervisors form of government. The County has six magisterial districts with one supervisor being elected from each district and, additionally, one elected "supervisor at large" representing the county as a whole. The Administrator serves at the pleasure of the Board and oversees the daily administrative functions of the county. The county is also served by the following constitutional officers: Commissioner of the Revenue, Treasurer, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Sheriff, and Commonwealth's Attorney.

Town of Wytheville has a Council/Manager form of government. The Town is governed by a five-member council. The mayor, who is selected by the voters, and four council members are elected for four-year terms. Council appoints a Town Manager, Treasurer, and Clerk to oversee the daily operations of the town.

Town of Rural Retreat has a Mayor/Council form of government. The Town is governed by a mayor, who is elected separately, and six elected council members. The mayor serves as chief executive officer of the council and has no vote except in the case of a tie. Council appoints a Town Manager to supervise staff and attend to administrative matters.

Citizen participation in government, in addition to voting, is encouraged through advisory boards and commissions.

Each entity has a Planning Commission which directly oversees that area's planning and policy formulation. Both towns, Wytheville and Rural Retreat, have comprehensive zoning ordinances which control the land use inside their corporate boundaries. Wythe County, Wytheville, and Rural Retreat are served by a Joint Industrial Development Authority.