The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on May 28 adopted Order No. 21-2025, a policy on board direction, by a 2-1 vote, after a short debate over whether the rule is necessary.

The policy was introduced as agenda item F and approved after Chair (name not specified), chair of the Board of County Commissioners, moved to adopt it and Commissioner McGruder seconded the motion. Commissioner Garrett opposed the adoption and voted no.

Supporters said the policy will reduce confusion about how commissioners, staff and members of the public should interact. “Well, I think it, it makes things a little more clear. I think that people get confused, be it the public, be it staff, be it the commissioners, and, I I think this makes it very clear as to how everybody can interact,” the chair said during discussion.

Commissioner McGruder urged the board to try the policy and make adjustments if necessary, saying “Change is not always bad,” and arguing that explicit guidance can be useful even where Robert’s Rules of Order apply.

Commissioner Garrett opposed the measure and said it would “restrict elected commissioner’s ability to communicate with our constituents and provide direction to staff.” Garrett noted Columbia County’s long history without such a policy, citing the county’s establishment in 1854 and saying county government operated under a different court form until 1971. He said department heads have historically determined when they need majority board approval and expressed concern the policy sets an unnecessary precedent.

The board did not add any conditions or amendments on the floor; the motion to adopt Order No. 21-2025 passed with two votes in favor and one opposed. The board did not discuss a separate implementation timeline or reporting requirement during the meeting.

The discussion and vote occurred during the regular public meeting; members of the public did not speak on the item during the recorded exchange. The board moved on after the vote to routine commissioner comments and other scheduled business.