Coalition for Arlington Good Government

Probably the most fundamental problem with the proposed form of government is that it serves to undermine Arlington’s tradition of good government by blurring the line between the legislative and executive functions of government and giving the elected political leaders far more direct control over the hiring, firing and compensation of Arlington’s 3500 county employees.

As the County Attorney states,“…under the County Board Form, the Board would directly control department heads and staff potentially introducing a form of political patronage not possible under the County Manager Plan.”

Currently, the County Board members approve a broad compensation plan and appropriate funds to support the compensation plan through the annual budget process.  However, it is the County Manager who has the authority to hire and determine the actual pay for every employee, with the exception of the three people hired directly by the County Board – the County Manager, County Attorney and Clerk to the Board.

Currently, personnel management matters are strictly within the purview of the County Manager and elected political leaders are prohibited from inserting themselves.  This bright line has reinforced Arlington’s good government model, which separates the legislative responsibility for making policy from the administrative responsibility of the professional staff to carry out that policy.

It also means that political patronage has never been an issue in Arlington.  People are hired based on merit and elected County Board members have no role whatsoever in the hiring process.  The proposed form of government would remove that bright line and open a Pandora’s Box of potential political patronage in the future.

Of further concern is the involvement of elected County Board members in the purchasing process – the awarding of county contracts – which occurs frequently.  Currently, County Board members have no role whatsoever.  As the County Attorney warns, “The opportunity for undue influence in the award of contracts, and favoritism generally in the competitive procurement process is great under the County Board Form where the purchasing agent directly reports to the Board of Supervisors.”

We all read the stories about the allegations of public contracts being awarded to friends of a Mayor, political contributors, family members or others with an inside connection.  That does not happen in Arlington because our current County Manager Plan of government prevents it from happening.

Under the County Board Form, the Board of Supervisors moves beyond the customary legislative role of the governing body and is charged with responsibilities typical of the executive branch of a local government.  The Board appoints, and may suspend or remove, all officers and employees, including deputies and assistants, in the administrative service.

Under the County Manager Plan, the County Manager is responsible for the administrative and executive powers of the government.  Unlike the County Board Form, the County Manager Plan prohibits the County Board from inserting itself in personnel management matters.  This is the exclusive province of the County Manager.

Under the County Board Form, the Board of Supervisors may become involved in the day to day management of individual employees and may determine whether they are disciplined through suspension or otherwise, or terminated.  Under the County Manager Form, the County Board may not interfere with the appointment of removal of those employees appointed by the County Manager.

Under the County Board Form, the Board of Supervisors has authority to fix the compensation of all officers and employees.

The County Board Form’s assignment of executive responsibilities to the Board of Supervisors, especially employment matters, invites certain mischief in a densely populated county with significant demands for public services and a large number of employees, a large tax base, and a wide array of issues of varying complexity.  Persons helpful to them in attaining public office may seek and receive favors.  Incumbent employees may be disfavored

An instance where the potential for abuse has particularly great consequences is in the area of purchasing and government contracts.  Of all the functions that the governing body should avoid, the purchasing process is a prime example.  The opportunity for undue influence in the award of contracts, and favoritism generally in the competitive procurement process is great under the County Board Form where the purchasing agent directly reports to the Board of Supervisors.

Arlington has a proud tradition of good, clean government.  The separation of authorities between the elected political leadership and the professional staff has served Arlington well.