In the future, the head of the county’s Department of Economic Development will take on the position knowing he or she could be fired without cause.

The Loudoun Board of Supervisors voted to make the new director an “at will” position, as recommended by County Administrator Tim Hemstreet March 2.
In the “at will” position, the director will report to Hemstreet, instead of to the board as in the past. Additionally, Hemstreet has the authority to fire the director exempt from the county’s grievance procedure.

Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run) said she thinks the board needs to look holistically at its human resources policies and move in a different direction in some aspects. She also said she has confidence in Hemstreet to manage the situation well, a sentiment shared by Supervisors Stevens Miller (D-Dulles) and Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling).

The county administrator’s job is to follow the mission of the board and this is where the rubber hits the road, Delgaudio said.
Supervisor Jim Burton (I-Blue Ridge) disagreed.

“I see no reason to deviate from the way we’re doing it now,” he said. If the board dislikes someone’s performance, there is a way to make a change regardless of the structure of the department, he said.

Hemstreet, County Attorney John R. Roberts and County Assessor Todd Kaufman are currently in “at will” positions.
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