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Supervisors approve higher pay for board members, 5–2
Summary
Pittsylvania County supervisors voted 5–2 to raise monthly compensation for supervisors: $1,500 for members, $1,650 for vice chairman and $1,850 for chairman, effective Jan. 1, 2026 for one year and to be reviewed annually.
Pittsylvania County supervisors voted 5–2 on June 17 to increase monthly compensation for members of the Board of Supervisors, setting pay at $1,500 per month for supervisors, $1,650 for the vice chairman and $1,850 for the chairman. The increase will take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and cover through Dec. 31, 2026, with the board planning to review compensation during each budget cycle.
County staff referenced the Code of Virginia sections that authorize localities to set board compensation and noted the county’s current cap dated to 1998. County staff and finance committee members told supervisors their review of comparable counties showed Pittsylvania supervisors’ pay lagged peers and that a modest increase would help offset the time commitment required by the role.
Supervisor Kenneth L. Bowman, who said the finance committee had included the increase in the recommended budget, argued the adjustment is necessary given the time demands on supervisors and the compensation of the newly hired county administrator. “This board just voted 6–1 to hire a county administrator and start the county administrator at $220,000 annually,” Bowman said, arguing the supervisory role requires significant time and expense.
Opponents said they did not run for office for money and expressed concern about the timing and size of the increase. “I didn’t do it for the money,” Supervisor Dalton said during debate, adding he would not support the motion. Another supervisor said he would support the increase only if its effective date were delayed to 2028.
After discussion the board approved the resolution 5–2. The board chair and staff said funds for the increase were included in the proposed FY2026 budget under the board line item and that the pay adjustment would allow supervisors to offset expenses associated with travel and time away from employment.
The board chose not to adopt separate stipends for specific meetings, saying different stipend rates would be cumbersome to administer; instead the board opted for the uniform monthly amounts with a higher rate for chair and vice chair.
