Evening star., 1951-11-07
Report Of 242 Pages
On New Government
In Fairfax Presented
By Mory Lou Werner


which takes effect January /.
The many changes involved in
the transition and legal problems
arising from some of them are
discussed in detail in the report
submitted by David Lawrence,
Washington news writer who was
appointed chairman of the special
research project December 6.
Mr.. Lawrence previously had
served as vice chairman OF a
county government study commit
tee which recommended adoption
of the county executive form. That
recommendation was approved in
a referendum on November S, 1850.
For Guidance of Officials.
Most of the report is the work
of the University of Virginia Bu-
reau of Public Administration.
Mr.. Lawrence, in his letter OF
presentation to the supervisors,
says 1.-The university's report is
factual in nature. 1t is non-politi-
cal. 1t is designed solely for the
guidance of our county officials,
and, in my opinion, is model
of objective research"
Mr.. Lawrence foresees the ad-
vent of county executive govern
ment as IAN important milestone"
in the history of Fairfax County,
but cautions that much, of course,
will depend upon the spirit with
which the transition is carried
out
The bureaus report says:
Through the decisions which
are made at the outset of the new
form of government. the pattern
of county government will be
established for many years to
come"
Old Board Abolished.
One important fact evident
throughout the report is that the
new form of government will
sever many apron strings that
heretofore tied operation Of the
county to the State government.
Significant, too, is the new role
of the county's governing body.
Even the name is slightly different
the old Board of Supervisors is
abolished and a new governing
body called the Board of County
Supervisors is created. The change
goes further to cover many new
appointive powers and reduc-
ton of administrative details.
The bureau lists 46 questions OF
policy which it recommends the
supervisors resolve soon after
transition. Twenty more ques-
tions are suggested for legal
Interpretation.
Typical of decisions facing the
new county heads are selection OF
a county executive and how much
he shall be paid; will the super.
visors be content to deal with
county employees through the
executive or attempt to deal with
them Independently? Which, EN-
ployes should be covered by n per-
sonnel system if one is estab-
lisi1ed? How will the various ft1nc-
tions of county government be
divided among the nine distinct
departments permitted in county
executive system? How many
members will the School Board
have and shall appointments be
made by managerial districts?
What will be the salaries Of the
Conmonwealth's attorney and
sheriff-a decision previously left
to the State.
The supervisors have been aware
of the most important changes in
volved. The report, however
analyses these changes, show!
what decisions are required and T
general serves as handbook fol
putting the new government intt
operation.
Where the standard county eX.
ecutive government system seems
i'll fitted to Fairfax County, the
bureau suggests five amendment.
for consideration at the next ses-
sion of the General Assembly
These are:
l. Authorization for the Boarc
of County Supervisors to emplo,
legal counsel for itself, leaving
the Commemorative attorney FREE
for prosecution duties.
2. Authorization for the boart
to delegate its power of routin,
approval of claims against tn
county.
Library Board Appointments.
8. Placing appointment of tn
Board of Library Trustees in tn
hands of the supervisors, insteat
of the Circuit Court judge. TIL
library board would be one of tn
few appointments retained by tn
judge as the county executiv
plan now stands.
4. Authority for creation of
Department of Public Works. Thi
is one of the departments provide
for in the county executive pla,
except in counties that do no
operate their own road system.
such as Fairfax. The report point
out, however, that there are
number of other public works &C
tivities which should come unde
a department, such as the opera
ton of sanitary districts.
5. Removal of a requiremer
that adoption or amendment of
county zoning ordinance must
approved in a referendum. TIL
report states that this would seer
to'place an "unwaranted expense
on the county.
4 Two Questions Raised.
Chapter I of the bureaus repo]
deals with the legal basis of tt
county executive form of govern
ment which is provided for in tt
Optional Forms Act. Two que.
tlons to be resolved by legal intel
pretation are raised:
l. In cases Of conflict betWee
the Optional Forms Act and tt
general laws of the State. whic
takes precedence?