Commissioners approve two appointments after debate over consent-agenda disclosures

The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on Aug. 7 to approve two appointments and to adopt a consent agenda as amended, after a public exchange among commissioners about disclosure and the appointment process.

The board approved a motion to adopt the consent agenda excluding items 2 through 9; Commissioner Mike Myers moved the motion, and Commissioner Allen Brand seconded. Clerk roll-call records show the motion passed 7-0.

The actions that followed included approval of resolution 098-25 appointing Tanya Blue as the Fifth District nominee to the Museum Advisory Council and approval of resolution 099-25 accepting the resignation of Daryl Dugan as trustee of Aubrey Township and appointing the Third District nominee, Steven Brad Miller, as trustee. Both resolutions passed on roll-call votes of 7 in favor, none opposed.

Why it matters: the discussion puts a spotlight on how the board fills volunteer seats on county boards and commissions and on how much public notice and debate should accompany those appointments.

Commissioner Todd Ashcraft, who removed items 2 through 9 from the consent agenda, said he wanted the public made aware of the nominations now that they appear on the agenda. "This has not been disclosed publicly. And I wanted to make sure that it was, made aware to the public since we no longer are putting these on consent review at the prior meeting," Ashcraft said.

Commissioner Michelle Brewer responded with a detailed explanation of the countyappointment process, including outreach and a 10-day posting period for nominees so all seven commissioners can review applications before a public vote. "We have about 31, 32 boards, councils, and commissions that we do appointments to," Brewer said. "Once we do have, a vetted candidate that we can nominate, that nominee goes before all, 7 members of the commission for a 10 day posting period. We do that in case there's something that we were unaware about the nominee that would not make them eligible." She added that some appointments require specific expertise, citing the need in one case for "somebody who's a master electrician."

Commissioner Julie Hanslick expressed frustration that items previously agreed to be handled through the consent process were repeatedly being pulled for discussion. Chair Mike Kelly noted the rules of order the board follows and asked commissioners to keep the meeting focused on substantive business.

The board recorded the appointments as formal actions: resolution 098-25 (Tanya Blue, Museum Advisory Council) and resolution 099-25 (Steven Brad Miller, trustee for Aubrey Township). Both resolutions were moved, seconded and adopted by roll call; the clerk recorded the vote as seven in favor and none opposed.

The conversation over the consent agenda did not produce changes to the appointment process; commissioners emphasized the existing 10-day posting and review period for nominees. The board indicated similar items will return on future agendas for final action.

Notes: The board transcript identifies the movers and seconders on the motions and includes the roll-call votes recorded by the clerk.