The Town of Herndon, population 23,570, is the third largest town in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Amidst a 21st century Northern Virginia landscape of high rise buildings, industrial complexes and transportation hubs, Herndon maintains a small town charm that is evident in its downtown, its neighborhoods and its commercial area. Situated in the northwest quadrant of Fairfax County, the town has a land area of 4.28 square miles and is located approximately 23 miles west of Washington, D.C. Located two miles east of Washington Dulles International Airport, the town has approximately 9.3 million square feet of commercial and office floor space that supports approximately 25,000 jobs. The town is organized under the Council/Manager form of government. The Town Council is the governing body, which formulates policies for the proper administration of the town. The Mayor and six members of the Town Council are elected simultaneously for two-year terms. The Council appoints a Town Manager to be the administrative head of the town. The Town Manager is charged with directing all business affairs of the town and has the power of appointment and removal of the heads of all departments and employees under his supervision. The town employs 261 employees on a regular full- or part-time basis. In Virginia, incorporated towns are an integral part of the counties in which they are located. The citizens of the town, therefore, pay Fairfax County property taxes (real estate and personal property), in addition to town real estate taxes. In exchange, Fairfax County provides public education, library services, health and social services, mental health assistance, fire and rescue service, judicial services, correctional facilities and additional recreation services and facilities.