As reported by the Associated Press the City Council unanimously decided to re-join Alleghany County in a vote on November 2, 1999 (election night, incidentally...).
The population of Clifton Forge dropped 7% in the 1990's. Instead of a young, educated workforce attractive to new industry, Clifton Forge is increasingly composed of retirees and low- income residents. There are fewer people, and those remaining are unable to pay higher taxes - yet the costs for maintaining the sewer system, public safety infrastructure, and other city services continues to climb...
If the city drops its charter from the General Assembly, then it will lose its independence and becoming part of the surrounding Alleghany County. It takes at least a year to give up a city charter. The state's Commission on Local Government, three judges, and the voters must all approve the decision.