Montgomery County Board censures Supervisor Sarah Bohn, revokes three board appointments

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors voted on Dec. 16 to censure Supervisor Sarah Bohn for repeated absences from the Board and from three appointed bodies, and revoked her appointments to the Montgomery County Public Service Authority, the New River Valley Community Services Board and the Fairview District Home Board effective the date of the resolution.

The vote on the formal resolution was 6 in favor and 1 abstention after extended discussion. Vice Chair Fidzikowski summarized attendance counts cited during the debate: Bohn missed six of 10 meetings of the New River Valley Community Services Board, five of nine Public Service Authority meetings and two of four Fairview District Home Board meetings in 2024. The resolution stated the action followed a memorandum of agreement that required improved attendance and warned that continued absences could result in disciplinary action including censure.

The decision came after a prolonged public-address period in which dozens of residents spoke. Several constituents urged the board not to censure Bohn. Matthew Pickett told the board he believed censures set a poor precedent and said, “I just think that, using censures just doesn't make sense in this regard.” Speakers representing Virginia Organizing pressed the board on housing and whole-home repair programs, and others— including Crystal Mello, Cletus Bohan and Irene Leech—spoke in support of Bohn’s record on constituent services and pipeline oversight.

Supervisor Bohn addressed the board during the debate and described a cluster of personal circumstances—including family obligations, a college bicentennial event and a long‑planned trip—that affected her attendance. Bohn said she had informed staff about anticipated absences and said she expected nearly full attendance in 2025. “I’m certainly not breaking any rules when I attend virtually,” she told the board while noting some appointed boards do not allow virtual attendance.

Supporters and critics framed the issue differently. Those who favored censure said the county has a standard of conduct and the memorandum of agreement set expectations that were not met; those opposed said constituents were well served and the remedy was excessive. Chair Biggs emphasized the censure does not prevent Bohn from voting or speaking on behalf of her district at Board meetings; it removes her from the three appointed boards named in the resolution.

The board recorded the roll call after discussion and adopted the resolution on Dec. 16, 2024. The resolution directs that the revoked appointments take effect the same day. The board’s action does not change voters’ representation or the supervisor’s ability to vote in regular Board business; it removes her membership on the specified external boards.