Taylor County commissioners authorize Wagstaff to act on potential claim, approve mediation authority

Taylor County commissioners voted 4-0 Wednesday to authorize Mr. Wagstaff to act within the parameters of his experience on a potential claim and to allow the presiding commissioner to act on his advice in a mediation scheduled later this week.

The action came immediately after the commission reconvened from an executive session. "We do not make any decisions in executive session," the Presiding officer said as the meeting returned to open session at 10:50 a.m. The Presiding officer then moved "that mister Wagstaff have the authority to act within the parameters of his experience on a claim that could come before the county" and added that the Presiding officer also "have the authority to act upon potentially act upon his advice and mediation coming up, later this week." Commissioner Bertram said, "I'll second your motion." The commission approved the motion by voice vote, 4-0.

The commission did not specify the subject matter of the potential claim, the precise limits of the authority granted to Mr. Wagstaff, or the identity of the presiding commissioner who was authorized to act on advice during the upcoming mediation. The transcript records only that the authority covers "a claim that could come before the county" and that the mediation is "coming up, later this week." The commission adjourned at 10:51 a.m.

No statutes, ordinances or other legal authorities were cited on the record during this portion of the meeting. The action recorded in the open session reflects a grant of internal authority to a named individual and to the presiding commissioner; it does not, on its face, create or change county policy or commit funds.

Minutes and any subsequent public records or staff reports may provide additional details about the claim, the scope of Wagstaff's authority, or the outcome of the mediation once they are filed with the county clerk.