Supervisor Perry wins at‑large committee seat after heated committee appointments debate

Richland County supervisors held public comment and a secret ballot Sept. 16 to fill an at‑large vacancy on the committee on committees and later amended a slate of committee appointments to replace a nominee with Supervisor Elaine Hendrix.

During public comment, Supervisor Hendrix said she had been repeatedly overlooked for committee assignments despite attending committee meetings and having the fewest current assignments. “When I inquire... my voice was not heard and I was ignored,” Hendrix told the board, urging greater transparency in how committee seats are filled.

The board then conducted a secret ballot to elect an at‑large member to the committee on committees; the clerk announced Supervisor Perry as the winner. Later, supervisors considered a block of recommended appointments. One supervisor moved to amend the proposed slate to replace Randy Scoot as the Pine Valley committee representative with Supervisor Hendrix; supporters argued the change was necessary because Hendrix had been denied opportunities.

During roll call on that amendment the clerk read votes; the chair announced there were eight yes votes and seven no votes, and the motion carried. The board then approved the full appointment list as amended. Several supervisors expressed concern about past attendance and history when discussing committee placements and asked that the process be more open; the administrator noted ballots were available and that appointments come through the committee on committees process.

The matter began as public comment and moved into the agenda item labeled "election of a member to the committee on committees and an at‑large member," after which supervisors completed the secret ballot, tallied votes and took the appointments vote.