Albemarle County Board of Supervisors

The six-member Board of Supervisors ("the Supervisors", "the Board", or the "BoS") is the highest decision-making body in Albemarle County.

Each board member is elected from one of the county's six magisterial districts. Supervisors are elected for four-year terms, staggered at two-year intervals, so that only three Supervisors are up for re-election at any given time.

The next election is in November 2027 when the Rivanna, Scottsville and White Hall districts seats will be up.

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Membership

Current membership

(Front row, left to right) Mike Pruitt, Ann Mallek Bea LaPisto-Kirtley, Fred Missel Bottom row, left to right) Ned Gallaway, Sally Duncan

The current members of the Board of Supervisors, serving terms ending in 2027 or 2029 are:

• Fred Missel (Samuel Miller)
• Bea LaPisto Kirtley (Rivanna)
• Ann Mallek (White Hall)
• Sally Duncan (Jack Jouett)
• Mike Pruitt (Scottsville)
• Ned Gallaway (Rio)

This comprises six Democrats on the Board of Supervisors.

Former Members

Main article: List of Albemarle Supervisors

Also See articles related to former members of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors

Operations

Compensation

The current Board of Supervisors annual salary is $20,199 As of July 2024. The chair receives a yearly stipend of $1,836. The vice chair receives $612 a year.

The practice of Supervisors receiving compensation dates back to August 19, 1936 when the Board passed a resolution allowing themselves to be paid for their service on the Board. Everyone except the Chair would receive $300 a year while the Chair would receive $500 a year. Earlier that summer, Supervisors had asked Judge Lemuel F. Smith for an opinion on whether they could vote to pay themselves. They had also asked Smith to set their salary, but he explained he had no authority under state law to do so.

Leadership

The Chair presides over meetings, calls special meetings, and serves as the ceremonial head of government. The Vice Chair substitutes whenever the Chair is unavailable. While the Chair has no more power than any other Supervisor, the position carries with it the ability to set the agenda and conduct the public meetings.

See also: List of former chairs of the Board of Supervisors.

Duties

Duties of the Board include:

• Approving the budget as prepared by staff.

Meetings and contact

The Board meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, with each regular meeting beginning at 1:00 p.m. with public hearings held at 6:00 p.m. The Board generally meets in Lane Auditorium but occasionally holds work sessions in Room 241. The beginning of regular meetings features a time when member of the public can make a comment to the supervisors. The board allows people to sign up for speaking slots online as well.

Meetings were virtual during the COVID-19 Emergency. Video-streams of meetings have been available since November 2015.

At their first in meeting of 2024, Supervisors discussed a change to limit public comment to matters on the agenda but opted to keep the rules flexible. They also agreed to continue to limit direct communication to members of the press.

Tie breaker

With six members, there is frequently the possibility of a 3-3 stalemate. These have been dealt with in many ways.

In May 1921, the board was temporarily down to 6 members following the death of James W. Early. A vote over a $500 appropriation resulted in a 3-3 tie which was resolved a month later by a court-appointed temporary replacement.

In January 2013, the board opted not to pursue adding a seventh member.

External links

• Board of Supervisors official site
• Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Minutes from 1921 to 2015
• Albemarle Board of Supervisors Agendas and Minutes from 2015 to 2021