If you want to address the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, be prepared to wait. At the final board meeting of 2025 on December 9th, residents who signed up for public comment were scheduled to speak at 4:30 PM. They finally got their chance at 9:30 PM—five hours late.

Of six speakers who signed up, three gave up entirely. One went home to testify by phone. Only two stayed to speak in person after a grueling 12-hour meeting that began at 9:30 AM.

This is what happens when Chairman Jeff McKay and the Democrat-controlled Board of Supervisors schedule public comment dead last on the agenda. It’s a choice—and it tells you everything about their priorities.

Other local governing bodies, including the Fairfax County School Board and Arlington County Board, hold public comment periods at or near the start of meetings. McKay’s board deliberately puts residents last.

One speaker, Mark Welch, raised serious concerns about how Fairfax County Public Schools budgets for staff positions based on enrollment growth that never materializes—then transfers that money elsewhere without public oversight. His message to supervisors: “I certainly resent paying taxes that FCPS uses for some unexplained or unjustified purpose.”

Another resident, Mandy Nicksolat, described how her legally parked car was towed and the county’s consumer-affairs office told her “our hands are tied.” She called it “really embarrassing.”

These are the voices McKay and Democrats like Dalia Palchik (Providence), Walter Alcorn (Hunter Mill), and Kathy Smith (Sully) don’t want to hear—so they make residents wait until nearly 10 PM.

Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrity is the only Republican on the board. In 2027, every seat is up for election. Remember who ignored you.