The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors would have to study possible changes to the county’s governmental structure if a proposal from Del. David Albo, R-Springfield, wins General Assembly approval.
The measure directs the board to examine whether the county government can be made more effective and efficient. A report would be due to legislators next January.
“Our current form of government in Fairfax sucks, for a lack of a better word,” Albo said. “It’s the same form of government as when it was a dairy farm county.”
Albo would prefer to see the board’s chairman, who is elected by all county voters, given executive powers to manage the government agencies, propose a budget and veto legislation. Right now, the chairman has as much power as the other nine supervisors, who are elected by district.
“The problem is that areas that need more resources do not receive them,” Albo said. “All the money is divided equally. In the south where my district is we have been slammed by development but not given the money for the infrastructure.”
Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald Connally said he found it “strange” Albo introduced the legislation without consulting the board, especially because the county would have to pay for the study. He does not see a need for change, even if it means more power for the chairman.
“We were just named the best-managed county in the country,” Connally said. “We don’t think it’s broke, so why fix it?”
