Commissioners introduce motion asking county attorney to investigate alleged misconduct by Commissioner Hodge

Several commissioners moved to refer alleged misconduct by Commissioner Joe Mike Hodge to the county attorney for investigation and to begin procedures that could lead to ouster proceedings. Commissioners also moved to add an agenda item authorizing the county attorney to begin an investigation and to consider temporarily removing Commissioner Hodge from committee assignments while the investigation proceeds.

The initial motion to request an investigation was introduced during the meeting and received a second; in subsequent discussion commissioners urged that details of allegations not be aired publicly so the county attorney can investigate fairly. One commissioner proposed adding to the agenda a separate motion to remove Hodge from all committees pending the outcome of the investigation; that motion also was seconded.

Meeting audio and the transcript record the motions being made and seconded and recorded debate urging discretion. The transcript supplied does not show the final recorded votes or administrative outcome for the proposed committee removals or the county attorney's next procedural steps.

Commissioners who spoke on the record emphasized the need for a fair, confidential review and for the county attorney to determine whether statutory grounds for removal or other disciplinary steps exist. The commission also discussed whether it can itself initiate formal ouster proceedings or if the appropriate step is to request an investigation and legal advice before taking formal action.

Because the transcript ends before a conclusive vote on committee removal or the attorney's report is recorded, the current status is that motions to request investigation and to consider temporary committee removal were introduced and seconded; next steps will depend on the county attorney's review and any subsequent votes or administrative actions.