When the Virginia General Assembly meets in 2007, lawmakers may have a request from Fairfax County to allow county supervisors to get full-time status.
Before that can happen, however, the county’s legislative committee must approve the measure and move it to the Fairfax representatives in Richmond. Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, meaning the county must get state approval to make the move to a full-time board.
“This is a full-time job and it should be recognized as such,” said Supervisor Gerald Hyland, D-Mt. Vernon.
Hyland, who has no employment outside of his county duties, has been consistent in his request for a full-time board. He and others point to the enormous size of the county: It has grown larger than Washington, Baltimore and Richmond, has some 1.2 million citizens and is as urbanized as any in the country.
If the shift were to be made to a full-time board, language in the resolution would restrict supervisors from holding outside employment.
That’s something Supervisor Dana Kauffman, D-Lee, who has office hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays in addition to committee meetings and event appearances, said he wouldn’t favor.
“I think there’s a value to having outside employment and maintaining a connection to the real world if someone could swing it,” Kauffman said. “It would keep us grounded in what’s really happening in the world.”
While some supervisors would be forced to weigh politics with business, Republican Elaine McConnell, who represents the Springfield District, likely already has had the decision made for her.
McConnell owns and operates a private school and would have to forgo running for re-election if the measure were approved.
What they make
»A part-time supervisor in 2006 makes $59,000.
» A part-time supervisor in 2007 will make $75,000 in accordance with an increase approved this month.
» If they are made full time, the targeted salary is betwen $100,000 and $120,000.
