Walker County commissioners on Monday reappointed two members to the countys Public Safety Communications Board amid a broader and at times heated discussion about the boards governance and its long-standing contract with the City.

The court voted to appoint Danny Kerikendal and Ronnie White to the communications board after a lengthier exchange among commissioners, county staff and board representatives about whether the existing 1997 contract should be rewritten and whether the boards structure still fits current operations.

The issue matters because the communications center is jointly funded and used by the county and the city and handles 911 dispatching and other public-safety radio services. Commissioners and staff said they were concerned the current contract, which dates to 1997, gives the board independent authorities that the county court should review and possibly reallocate.

Those arguing for review said the contract has not been enforced consistently and that important governance decisions have been handled without regular input from the advisory group. "That contract has been in place since '97," one commissioner said during the meeting, adding that the county has not routinely reappointed members every three years as the contract requires. Another participant said the city has contributed about $600,000 a year to the operation and that any major structural change would have budget implications for both governments.

Speakers with technical roles told the court the center functions and that different counties structure consolidated communications boards in many ways. A communications staff speaker said advisory panels have met when necessary and that the centers operations have ongoing interaction among the agencies that use the system. Planning and operations staff urged the court not to "blow up" dispatch but to involve the board in any contract rewrite.

Commissioners said the contract and board composition should be revisited and that county representatives must remain engaged in any renegotiation with city management. The court instructed staff to keep commissioners informed as conversations with the city progress, while moving forward with the immediate appointments.

The motion to appoint Kerikendal and White passed on a voice/hand vote; the court did not read a roll-call tally on the record. The commissioners also discussed whether the advisory board should be restructured or expanded, and several asked staff to return with options.

The court did not take final action to rescind, replace or dissolve the existing contract; several speakers said that would require separate agenda items and negotiation with the city. Commissioners said they want a transparent process and that any proposed new contract would be brought back to a public meeting for approval.