SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2007 SESSION

075224303
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 890
Offered February 9, 2007
Commending Sean T. Connaughton.
----------

Patrons-- Frederick, Lingamfelter, Marshall, R.G., McQuigg and Miller, J.H.; Senators: Colgan, O'Brien and Puller
----------

WHEREAS, Sean T. Connaughton resigned as Chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors in September 2006 to become the Maritime Administrator in the United States Department of Transportation; and

WHEREAS, Sean Connaughton was elected Chairman At-large of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors in 1999 and was reelected to a second four-year term in 2003; and

WHEREAS, during the 1990s, Prince William County had the highest tax rate of any county in Virginia and lagged behind in investment for schools, roads, and public safety; and

WHEREAS, when Sean Connaughton took office in 1999, he worked to focus spending on critical infrastructure, new schools, transportation, public safety, and economic development while simultaneously reducing the real property tax rate and tax rates on small businesses; and

WHEREAS, Sean Connaughton succeeded in increasing the efficiency of county government through greater use of technology, reducing the ratio of county employees to residents by more than 10%, and keeping the per capita cost of county government to the level of 10 years ago; and

WHEREAS, during Sean Connaughton's tenure, Prince William County saw its housing market rebound and its tax revenues increase from many sources, thus providing resources for continued improvements in schools, roads, and other vital infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, as a result of Sean Connaughton's leadership, Prince William County was able to finance the construction of 15 new schools and renovate many older schools as well as increase teacher salaries; and

WHEREAS, Sean Connaughton used his energy and determination to help gain voter approval of an $86.7 million road bond in 2002, secure investment in transit and commuter services, and increase developer proffer funds; and

WHEREAS, in 2004 Prince William County led the nation in job growth and Sean Connaughton was recognized as the top elected official for workforce development by the National Association of Counties; and

WHEREAS, Sean Connaughton's dedication to improving public safety in the county was evident in his efforts to: add more than 100 fire and rescue positions, accelerate the building program for fire and rescue stations, increase police manpower by almost 100 sworn and civilian positions, begin construction of a new Western District Police Station, and expand the County's courthouse and jail; and

WHEREAS, thanks to the stewardship of Sean Connaughton, Prince William County is a financially sound, highly desirable place to live; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Sean T. Connaughton for his tenure as Chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Sean T. Connaughton as an expression of the General Assembly's respect and gratitude for his dedication to the citizens of Prince William County and the Commonwealth.