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Johnson County commissioners approve multiple board appointments after brief dispute over public disclosure
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners approved three resolutions appointing members to parks and recreation, planning and the county's diversity, equity and inclusion coalition. Commissioners debated whether routine board appointments should receive public comment and one commissioner abstained from the DEI vote, saying discussion had been truncated.
The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners approved a series of appointment resolutions after a short debate over whether nominations to boards and commissions should be discussed publicly.
The board voted to adopt resolution 103-25, appointing Fourth District nominee Robert Carlson and Fifth District nominee Leslie Riviola to the Johnson County Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners; resolution 104-25, reappointing Dale K. Hogan and Frederick Starrett to the Planning Commission; and resolution 105-25, appointing Stacy Nell to the county's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition.
Commissioner John Ashcraft raised concerns about the practice of calling nominees out during the business session. "People who volunteer for these boards and commissions deserve our respect," Ashcraft said, adding he was "very uncomfortable" with treating volunteers as if their fitness or personal matters were being questioned. Commissioner Ashcraft asked the board to review rules for how appointments are handled and said he did not want nominees subjected to weekly scrutiny.
Chairman Kelly and other commissioners noted the appointments were on the public agenda and available on the county web broadcast. Commissioner Ashcraft and Commissioner Brewer both urged a review of the process so volunteers were not discouraged. Brewer said the county relies on hundreds of volunteers across more than 30 boards, councils and commissions and called for a posting period similar to nonprofit boards to gather public input without putting nominees personally on the spot.
The chair moved each resolution and Commissioner Allen Brand seconded them. Roll-call votes recorded unanimous support for the parks and planning commission appointments (7-0). For the DEI coalition appointment, Commissioner Ashcraft said discussion had been truncated and abstained on both the call of the question and the final motion; the tally on resolution 105-25 was six in favor with one abstention, and the resolution passed.
The board did not open the appointment items for public comment; county counsel reminded commissioners that board-appointment rules have long excluded public comment on nominations. Commissioners said they would consider a follow-up conversation on whether the process should change.
The approvals will be entered into the county records and the appointed members will take up their duties according to the commissions' schedules.
