Culpeper County appoints Thomas J. Hetka as county administrator after 5–1 vote

The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors voted 5–1 to appoint Thomas J. Hetka as the county administrator, with the appointment effective Sept. 1, 2026, at an annual salary of $220,000. Chairman Underwood told the board he had been authorized to negotiate with the candidate and that background and reference checks had been completed.

Supervisor Lee, who moved the resolution, said the board’s recruitment process had been “exhaustive” and praised staff screening efforts, naming Caitlin Lauren, the director, for her work. Lee said the board was confident in Hetka’s local-government experience and team-building skills and moved approval of the resolution naming “Thomas J. Hetka as the county administrator, effective 09/01/2026 at an annual salary of $220,000.” A motion to approve was seconded and the board carried the resolution by a 5–1 roll-call vote.

Supervisor Bates objected to the appointment’s compensation package during the discussion, saying the total cost with proposed benefits could approach $250,000 and that he would not support the candidate. Chairman Underwood said he had visited Greene County, where the candidate is employed, and had not found evidence that Culpeper previously contributed to ICMA, though some neighboring counties have offered similar benefits. The board did not record individual member votes by name in the transcript, but the clerk announced the motion passed 5–1.

The board moved to adjourn after the vote. Supervisor Bates asked about public comment near the end of the meeting and said the board had spent a significant amount on the appointment, reiterating his objections to the compensation terms.