Commissioners approve board appointments, renewals and hold a brief executive session on non-elected personnel

Miami County commissioners approved several appointments and renewals during the Jan. 29, 2025 meeting and later convened a 30-minute executive session on non-elected personnel.

The commission renewed three members of the Cops for Tots board: Mark Fisher (chair), Karen Blank (vice chair) and Kelly Puser (at-large). The renewals were presented by the sheriff’s office and approved by voice vote.

Commissioner Dieker recommended Andy Beck for the citizen seat and Nick Hammonds as alternate for the County Board of Appeals; the commission approved those appointments unanimously. Commissioner Paul Scruggs nominated Gary Gerken to fill a vacancy on the county Economic Development Committee; the commission approved that nomination unanimously.

Toward the end of the meeting, Commissioner Scruggs moved to go into executive session for 30 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel and requested attendance by all five commissioners and two city administrators (Lucas and Shane). The motion carried, the commission recessed into executive session starting at 1:33 p.m. and returned to open session at 2:04 p.m. The clerk recorded that no action was necessary following the executive session, and the meeting adjourned.

Why it matters: These appointments replenish local advisory and oversight bodies; the executive session was held under the statutory exception for personnel matters and produced no immediate public action.

Next steps: Clerk and staff will update records and notify nominees of their appointments and any term details as appropriate.