To the Editor:
I sent the following letter to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors strongly objecting to the recent use of taxpayer, surplus funds paid to all (eligible) Fairfax County employees (merit and exempt) as bonuses of $850 and $500.
It is not appropriate for the county to award all Fairfax County employees bonuses during such a harsh economy when so many taxpayers, including myself, are struggling and having a hard time making ends meet. According to the Board of Supervisors’ minutes (summary reports) of the July, September, and October 2013 meetings of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, discussions and motions were made to reallocate surplus taxpayer funds and provide bonuses to Fairfax County employees (eligible) acoss-the-board (merit and exempt). The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously and the motion passed. Approximately $10.2 million was paid to about 12,000 regular, eligible, merit employees ($850 each bonus). Approximately another $300,000 was paid and given to approximately 870 exempt, eligible employees bonuses of $500 each. The Mount Vernon District supervisor, according to the minutes/summary report, made motions to increase the bonuses to $1,000 and $1,250, but the motions failed; a meal’s tax is also desired by him.
Bonuses should not be treated lightly as it appears the Board of Supervisors has done. Their recent action sets a bad precedent and could have future adverse affects. For example, it reduces the incentive for employees to excel and continue to do outstanding work to receive a cash bonus. Some mediocre employees whose work may be marginal may lack incentive to do better since bonus money will be forthcoming anyway. Such across-the-board bonuses promotes mediocrity and not good policy. I do not buy the argument that Fairfax County employees haven’t had regular pay increases and deserve the bonuses; I know many in Fairfax County who have not had a pay increase in many years but are happy to still have a job and to have the doors of their business remain open.
The Board of Supervisors has done an injustice to the many hardworking, struggling taxpayers by approving and paying out the bonuses. The board could have put the surplus funds in a reserve fund to pay for future expenses. The board’s usual practice of raising real-estate taxes year after year on over-taxed homeowners and taxpayers is oppressive. According to Fairfax County budget documents, the county has more than 100 different taxes and fees that include a sick tax to use ambulances and a going-out-of business tax. Research reveals that the average Fairfax County merit employee earns about $68,000 a year which is much more than many Fairfax County residents earn. County residents should call their supervisors to express their views about using tax dollar surplus funds to give bonuses instead of returning the money to the taxpayers or using it for future, essential needs and not raise taxes. You can get your supervisor’s name and number by calling: 703-324-3151.
Miriam Sullivan, Mount Vernon