Va. Code § 15.2-406: Appointment, compensation and removal of county administrator

A. The board shall appoint a county administrator and fix his compensation. He shall be appointed with due regard to merit only, and need not be a resident of the county at the time of his appointment. No board member shall, during the time for which he is elected, be chosen county administrator.B. The county administrator may be removed at the pleasure of the board.C. In case of the absence or disability of the county administrator, the board may designate some responsible person to perform the duties of the office.Code 1950, § 15-369; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-704; 1973, c. 163; 1997, c. 587.