Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 26, 1994 TAG: 9411280045
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FINCASTLE LENGTH: Medium
When Gerald Burgess became Botetourt County's administrator in 1992, he received a warm welcome from the county's five constitutional officers.
The group invited Burgess and his wife to dinner to discuss what he saw in the immediate future of this fast-growing county. Burgess quickly accepted.
Four of the constitutional officers were new to their jobs in 1992 and had decided during the campaign that the meetings may be good for government.
"I thought it would be good to jump on that type of cooperation," Burgess said.
He and the constitutional officers - the sheriff, commissioner of revenue, treasurer, commonwealth's attorney and Circuit Court clerk - didn't stop with one dinner meeting. Since September 1992, they have been meeting monthly to discuss common problems and outline a plan to run the county more efficiently.
"In my experience, it is very unusual for a county administrator to have routine meetings with constitutional officers," Burgess said.
Of the county governments in the Roanoke Valley, only Franklin County holds similar meetings.
Constitutional officers in Virginia are independent managers who don't answer to the county administrator. But the board of supervisors must give its blessing to expenditures of all offices.
If communications break down, that system is fertile ground for a full-blown political power struggle that could hinder effective government.
"The smaller the locality, the more you need to operate as a team," Burgess said.
C. Benton Bolton, the county treasurer, said that political warfare has not been a problem.
"The meetings are an effort to make sure we are communicating," he said. "It is a positive thing."
Burgess said the monthly meetings help keep government on track and create a new spirit of cooperation.
"It helps me explain to the Board of Supervisors what is going on in the offices of constitutional officers," Burgess said.
That kind of cooperation helped in the smooth movement of employees and witnesses to Winchester during the much-publicized murder trial of Billy Layne, who was convicted of killing a Rockbridge County schoolgirl.
The sheriff, commonwealth's attorney and clerk of circuit outlined for Burgess the money they'd need for accommodations, food and other expenses. Burgess made sure that the checks were ready on time.
And when an unexpected snowstorm hit the region, Burgess made sure an extra four-wheel-drive vehicle was available for the trip.
Another example came when the county decided recently to go to the prorated collection of personal-property taxes. The commissioner of revenue and treasurer discussed their needs with Burgess in the meeting.
He made sure that the money was available for the purchase of equipment and hiring of additional personnel. He also got the county's computer programmer to install software needed to enhance collections.
"My whole philosophy is `team, team, team,''' Burgess said. "I don't think it should ever be us vs. them."
Botetourt County Sheriff Reed Kelly prefers the term "we."
"In these meetings, we have found a way to provide citizens with better service," Kelly said.
During the meetings, Burgess outlines for the constitutional officers items such as progress on landfill improvements or the latest industrial prospect to express interest in the county. While there is no legal requirement that he do so, Burgess said he wants to keep the constitutional officers informed.
"Anything we can do to support each other ... builds consensus and support," he said.
"It keeps us on the same page," Kelly said. "If you don't work together, you hinder the progress you're trying to create."
Circuit Court Clerk Tom Moore said the meetings simply make good sense. "It promotes better government," he said. "Anytime the left hand knows what the right hand is doing, it helps."
by CNB