The Board of Supervisors (BOS) should take a close look at its own

The Board of Supervisors (BOS) should take a close look at its own operation and how it can be
improved, given the reported comments and actions of one of its more prominent members
after missing over 10% of the full board meetings and an unknown number of committee
meetings and workshops, i.e., He is noted to have observed that missing five meetings in one
year “doesn’t seem like a lot..”
Supervisor Arrington's comment is, unfortunately, spot on, a sad comment on how great the need
is to review the BOS's organization and operation. To be sure, this problem goes beyond that of
an individual supervisor: It is a systemic problem of Bedford County, beginning with the Board
of Supervisors. The burden of serving as County Supervisor is considerable, far exceeding the
pay. Under the current operational mode, that burden in unnecessarily great. The BOS is very
poorly organized and inefficiently managed. How many governing boards of corporations with
annual budgets of $70 -$80 million meet so often and deal in such minutiae of its operation?
That problem is not beyond resolution. Part of the burden of BOS service in founded in a
general distrust of staff (disparagingly referred to as “government bureaucracy”) and
government itself (i.e., the attitude that government is the problem, not the solution, and that it
poses a threat to individual liberties). There is a level of distrust in government that is
healthy. After all, isn’t that one of the basis of the founding of our country? But, interference
beyond a certain level begins to impede the healthy operation of government. The proper balance
is established by an ongoing debate on this issue. Let that debate begin with Supervisor
Arrington’s comment.
The constructive nature of that debate may be greatly enhanced by a comprehensive review of
county management practices. Does the BOS follow in good faith the well drafted position
descriptions of its boards, committees, and staff? Is proper respect given to the opinions of
professional staff? Does staff receive appropriately delegated assignments? Are they allowed to
carry out those assignments without interference? Do county staff, committees, boards, etc.
follow best practices and attend continuing education programs?
If the BOS were to conduct this overall management review and make appropriate changes and
improvements, it is likely it would find itself focusing more on relevant, large scale, government
policies and plans. Then, perhaps, missing such meetings, any of them, would “seem like a lot.”
Steve Stevick,
Member, Bedford Planning Commission, District 5, 2004 - 2011

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