Businesses Urge Supervisors to Run County Full Time

In small communities, that works fine. But in Fairfax, where the supervisors serve as the point person between their constituents and the government, it's understood that they serve full time and then some, setting policy and responding to constituents as they travel from parades to ribbon-cuttings to community meetings. Just three of the supervisors have outside jobs.

The council position pays $59,000 -- $15,000 less than the Montgomery County Council, $16,307 less than the Prince George's council and $33,000 less than the D.C. Council, which represents a city with about half of Fairfax's population. The chamber's proposal would come with a pay raise, and the board is considering giving itself a raise, independent of the suggestion.

The change proposed by Lecos would not need approval from the Virginia General Assembly because Fairfax sets the salaries of its representatives, and the state code does not address whether local officials serve full or part time.

A change such as the one proposed by Davis would need legislative approval.

"I think most people are a little surprised to learn that these are part-time jobs," said board Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D), who, like several of this colleagues, is intrigued by the idea of full-time board members. "The question is: Shall we acknowledge that reality?"

The county considered a switch 14 years ago to a full-time board, with enhanced powers for the chairman. But the idea had no traction. In some quarters, it still doesn't. And it is unclear when, or if, the board would consider the proposal.

"I don't think they should change it," said Del. Vincent F. Callahan Jr. (R-Fairfax). "They spend their time going to ribbon cuttings and civic association meetings. I would submit that I put in as many legislative hours as they do." Callahan is paid $17,640 for his legislative duties.

Supervisor Elaine N. McConnell (R-Springfield), who owns five private schools but does not run them day to day, said qualified candidates would hesitate to run for supervisor if they couldn't devote time outside to earning private-sector salaries.

"They would have to give up four years from a business," she said.