Discussion about the fairness of the appointment of the chairman was brought up during the Feb. 8 meeting. Commissioner Emily Davis made a motion to look into amending the ordinance regarding chairmanship to alternate chairman by district each January rather than be voted in by majority vote.
“Attorney Brandon Palmer, a couple of weeks ago I asked you about a resolution and you told me that you had to get a consensus from all the commissioners to think about this resolution,” said Davis. “However, I have not seen it brought forth to us.”
Palmer replied that he only suggested that she confirm there was enough interest in the board for the amendment due to it changing an ordinance that has been in place for multiple years. The ordinance explains the process to select chairman and to change it would require public hearings and further discussion. In reply, Davis informed the board of the proposed amendment during new business to open discussion.
“Since seniority doesn’t matter anymore to chairmanship, which I don’t have a problem with, I believe we need to be more fair. The leadership needs to be shared fair and equal,” said Davis, as she introduced the amendment. “If we have a resolution to ensure that leadership is shared fair and equal it will build community trust, encourage transparency, and build strong leadership. I propose we do this by rotating the chairmanship by district each January.”
Davis stated her request for change comes from a concern of transparency.
“A few years ago, Mr. (Sammy) Hall stated that (Kendrick) Butts was not ready to be chairman because he did not have enough experience, so I believe the most transparent process would be to have an ordinance to rotate chair by district,” said Davis.
Commissioner Scott Little questioned if this amendment disqualifies a majority vote, which it would. Davis responded by stating the amendment is about “making the community stronger” and giving each district an opportunity to have a chairman.
Butts seconded the motion to start preparations to potentially amend the ordinance.
“I think anyone is qualified to sit in that chair but based on what was told to me four years ago, precedents were set that I was not qualified enough, which is concerning to me,” said Butts, in reply to Davis’ explanation. “I think this a great solution to this matter. It is not about being qualified or not qualified but, based on the information provided to me when I came into office, it makes me question the integrity of certain people around this board.”
Chairman Andrew Strickland closed discussion with the statement “majority vote of this board is what carries the day.” He further stated he believes change will happen but that he was elected “to change some things.”
Davis reaffirmed that her motion was not against Strickland but transparency and fairness. The motion was ultimately rejected 3-2, with Hall, Strickland, and Little denying it.