Growls

Ask members of the Arlington County Board why county spending has to increase faster than the rate of inflation, with perhaps minor adjustments for population increases, and you get a lot of himming and hawing. But ask them why their pay should increase faster than the rate of inflation, and the response is “It’s a matter of equalizing treatment (with other jurisdictions in the Commonwealth),” as Board Chairman told Ryan Self of the Arlington Sun-Gazette this week. The Sun-Gazette also reported that in 1997, the General Assembly gave the Board “authority to raise its salary each year, but only by the percentage increase given to county employees,” which generally reflects increases in inflation. The bill allowing the Board to raise their salaries passed the House of Delegates 87-6, and will likely pass the more free-spending Senate of the 2006 General Assembly. Consequently, it will be up to the citizens of Arlington to provide accountability for the County Board.

If Board members think they are working too many hours, they can begin looking at their own willingness to take on outside commitments. For example, the Washington Blade recently reported that Jay Fisette will become chairman of the Washington Council of Governments. He is also VP of the Virginia Municipal League while Paul Ferguson is a VP of the Virginia Association of Counties. The cost of these organizations to Arlington taxpayers is about $200,000, $35,000, and $35,000, respectively.

Before the Board begins raising their salaries, they need to evaluate their commitments to outside organizations. The COG, VML, and VACo are just a beginning. Each seems to be involved in a plethora or regional organizations.