Board approves $300,000 to study project labor agreements after split vote

The Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted 5–2 Oct. 28 to transfer $300,000 from contingency to the Office of Procurement Services to hire an on-call consultant to study project labor agreements (PLAs) and pilot feasibility on future county projects.

Supervisor John Gordy and other supporters said the study will analyze whether PLAs could deliver cost savings, schedule benefits or higher labor standards on large public projects; it would include market feasibility and legal review by the County Attorney’s Office. Opponents, including Supervisor Ann Vega, said the county should not spend $300,000 without clarity on PLA compliance with Virginia law and worried about inflationary effects, reduced competition and higher long‑term costs for taxpayers.

Procurement staff told the board the amount was set after benchmarking similar procurements in neighboring jurisdictions; the consultant will provide on‑call services and a feasibility study before any pilot PLA is attempted. The board instructed staff to return with legal analysis on compatibility with state law and to report the consultant’s findings before implementing PLAs on any specific project. The motion passed 5–2; Supervisors John Gordy and viva? (per transcript) — recorded no: Supervisor Gordy moved; Supervisors Gordy, Bodie, Angry, Franklin and Bailey voted yes; Supervisors Vega and Gordy? (transcript shows Vega and Gordy voting nay earlier); recorded official roll: Motion passes 5 to 2, Gordy/Bodie/Angry/Franklin/Bailey yes; Gordy/Bailey yes? (See official minutes.)