Board recommends psychologist candidate, forms subcommittee to interview community-based applicants

The Union County Human Services Advisory Board voted to recommend Dr. Matthew Childs for the advisory panel’s psychologist seat and formed a candidate-review subcommittee to interview two applicants for a single community-based organization representative position.

Board members moved quickly on the psychologist application: "I would like to offer a motion that we support Dr. Matthew Childs for the position of psychologist and recommend to the full Board of County Commissioners," said the member who made the motion, which was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The recommendation for the community-based organization slot was less final. Executive staff told the board there are two applicants, Eric Clafon and Jesse Granger, for one designated community-based representative seat. "You are electing to either move the board to the Board of County Commissioners to give them their consideration to actually make an appointment," staff said when describing the process. Several board members said they favored interviewing both applicants before sending any nominations to the commissioners. The board approved a motion to create a candidate review committee — a subcommittee that will interview applicants and return recommendations to the full advisory board.

Why it matters: The advisory board’s nominees are advisory to the Board of County Commissioners, which has final appointment authority. Board members noted state statute gives the Board of County Commissioners authority to adjust the size of some advisory panels; this advisory board can only recommend changes to the commissioners.

Process and next steps: Staff said the subcommittee will coordinate interview dates with candidates and report back; board members volunteered to serve and the executive staff will confirm dates. The advisory board also discussed whether to ask the commissioners to expand the category from one seat to two; several members said they preferred to complete interviews first before requesting any expansion.

Ending: The advisory board’s recommendation on Dr. Childs will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action. The candidate-review committee will schedule and conduct applicant interviews and report its recommendation to the full advisory board before any further referrals to the commissioners.