County commission appoints William L. Monk Jr. as general sessions judge after multiple ballots

Washington County commissioners on Tuesday selected William L. Monk Jr. to fill a general‑sessions court vacancy following nominations from the commission and multiple roll‑call ballots.

The commission accepted nominations from several candidates and allowed each nominee three minutes to address commissioners. Nominees who spoke at the meeting included Steve Darden, Nick Fama, Stephanie Sherwood and William L. Monk Jr.

After successive ballots the clerk announced vote totals and, on the final roll call, recorded that William L. Monk Jr. had received the votes required for appointment. Commissioners then invited Monk to the podium, and he thanked the commission. “Thank you for your time. I look forward to being the next general sessions judge,” he said.

The commission used a multiple‑ballot voting process prescribed in its rules. A clerk recorded each commissioner’s roll‑call vote. A county attorney confirmed the legal notice and process for the appointment had been published for the statutory period prior to the meeting.

Commissioners said the appointment is a preemptive filling of a vacancy that will become effective when the current judge’s seat is vacated in July; the appointee would serve until the next scheduled election for the seat.

The public and commissioners praised the slate of nominees and thanked outgoing commissioners for their service; commissioners noted the selection followed deliberation and a formal roll‑call process.