Courtesy of
Ox Road South, Chap Petersen has some thoughts on the
Washington Post story about Fairfax County possibly becoming a city. Here's an excerpt from Chap's article, but definitely read the entire thing, including the interesting Virginia history lesson.
If Fairfax is serious about becoming a City, it must recognize at least two things immediately: (1) it needs a new name and (2) all towns within its boundaries would eliminated. Not a small matter, either one.
Also the Supervisors need to be candid about their own status. They enjoy salaries, staffs and accommodations far beyond that of City Councilmen (or even Senators) in Virginia. A charter change to City status will bring immediate scrutiny on all these items, especially from a state legislator making $18,000 a year and employing one part-time staffer at $37,000 a year.
Finally, the County's problems are not radically different than any Virginia locality right now. Yes, a meals tax might help spread the pain to non-residents. But that's a drop in the fiscal bucket. The bottom line is that the all governments have to redo the way they do business. That includes all the cities, which are losing revenue just like counties. It includes the General Assembly.
On balance, I recognize the frustration of all local officials with Richmond. But making Fairfax County a "city" is not going to change the issues. It will just bring new ones.
