September 16, 2025 Board of Supervisors Special Meeting - Sep 16, 2025

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Fairfax County Board of Supervisors 7 min 2 speakers 7 agenda items transcribed 8 days ago official recording ↗

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Why did the Board call a special meeting and what was the opening protocol?

Pat Herrity 0:01

Good

Jeffrey C. McKay 0:03

morning, everyone. And this is a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors of September 16, 2025. And I'm going to call this meeting to order. Supervisor Alcorn is on travel and not with us. And I understand Supervisor Palachuk has had some car difficulties this morning, so may be late. And that's why you're seeing them not at the dais. We're going to begin our meeting, as we do all meetings, with a moment of silence to be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. And I would just ask that we keep this really brief today. We only have one item on the agenda, and we do have board committees. beginning here in approximately 30 minutes. And so before we rise for a moment of silence, I do just want to acknowledge, and I know all of us are aware of the tragic events that occurred last week, and we keep the Kirk family in our thoughts and prayers, as well as the victims of the Colorado school shooting that also occurred that same day.

Jeffrey C. McKay 1:02

And sadly, Didn't get the attention that these shootings all too often involved and I think I could speak for the entire board and say no life is worth losing over a political disagreement and I'm very happy here that We have the type of relationships where we understand that but tragically in this country It seems not everyone feels that way and so we'll keep the Kirk family as well as the victims of the Colorado school shooting and in our thoughts and prayers.

What led to Supervisor James Walkinshaw’s resignation and how was it announced?

Jeffrey C. McKay 1:31

And with that, if we could all rise for a moment of silence to be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Jeffrey C. McKay 2:20

All right. As board members know, following his election to the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 11th Congressional District, our colleague James Walkinshaw resigned from his seat on this board as Braddock District Supervisor, effective 9 a.m. on September 10, 2025. Shortly thereafter, I called a special meeting of the Board for this morning, and Board members, the County Executive, the County Attorney, the Clerk, and the public were properly noticed. The only topic on our agenda, as you can see, is a motion directing the County Attorney's Office to file a petition requesting the Circuit Court to schedule a special election for the now-vacant Braddock District Supervisor's seat. Of course, until this seat is filled, I will continue to represent Braddock District residents in my capacity as their elected chairman.

Jeffrey C. McKay 3:09

To that end, I would like to congratulate Congressman Walkinshaw on his election and share that we will welcome him back to the board at a date to be determined to formally thank him and to share our thoughts with him about his service to the county. Channel 16 is also working on a video to commemorate his time on the Board of Supervisors as they traditionally do for any member of this board who is leaving the board or who has passed away. That said, and after careful study and consideration, I would also note that a special election date of December 9, 2025 makes the most sense. It is too late, practically speaking, to have the special election on the same day as our general election this November.

Jeffrey C. McKay 3:50

Ballots have already been printed for the general election, among other things, and preparations are well underway for early voting, which is set to begin this Friday, believe it or not, this Friday, September 19th. In addition, the Thanksgiving holiday complicates the scheduling.

What motion was introduced to schedule a special election for the Braddock District seat?

Jeffrey C. McKay 4:06

In short, having a special election on December 9, 2025 is the best option in light of all of these factors that we had to weigh. With that, I'm going to turn the gavel over to Vice Chairman Smith so that I can make the following motion. Madam Vice Chairman, I move that the Board of Supervisors direct the County Attorney's Office to file a petition requesting the Fairfax County Circuit Court to issue an order and writ of special election to conduct a a special election to fill the vacancy for Braddock District Supervisor. I further move that the board authorize the county attorney to recommend a special election date of December 9, 2025 to the court as part of such petition. So moved.