Wayne County Commission swears in commissioners, elects Bell chair and adopts 60-day temporary rules

The Wayne County Commission held its organizational meeting and administered oaths of office to commissioners representing Districts 1 through 15, elected leadership and adopted temporary procedural rules for 60 days.

At the start of the session the commission administered the oath to incoming and returning commissioners across all 15 districts. The body then nominated and elected Alicia Bell as chairperson; Joseph Palamara as vice chair; and Sam Beydoun as vice chair pro tempore. Each officer was sworn in by the court before the commission took routine organizational actions, including adoption of temporary rules for 60 days and approval of the Dec. 19 commission journal; the motions were decided by voice vote and the chair announced the motions carried.

Why it matters: The chair and vice chairs set the commission's agenda and committee assignments, and the temporary rules provide the operating procedures the commission will use while it considers permanent rules.

Chairperson Alicia Bell, who presided over the meeting, framed the organizational work in the context of the commission's recent program work and staff support. "It is an honor to serve another term on the Wayne County Commission as and as chair of this honorable body," Bell said, and she highlighted recent county programs funded with ARPA dollars, including a Vision to Learn eyeglasses distribution program, a medical debt forgiveness initiative and an air-quality monitoring contract with a company identified as Just Air.

During the meeting Bell acknowledged countywide elected officials and thanked central commission staff for fiscal, audit, policy, counsel and public information work that supports the board's decision-making. The commission recognized longtime staff with service awards, including members of the fiscal office and auditor general's office; Chief of Staff Tim Johnson accepted recognition for 34 years of service and told the assembled commissioners, "It's been a great ride for 34 years." Those recognitions were ceremonial and did not require a formal vote.

Procedural items decided: The commission moved and supported a resolution to adopt temporary rules for 60 days; after limited discussion Commissioner Monique Baker McCormick asked about committee composition and timing for rules work. Chair Bell said the Rules Committee traditionally includes the chairs of Ways & Means and Audit plus the commission vice chairs, and she said the commission would return any substantive rule changes to the full body for a vote. The motion to adopt temporary rules carried on voice vote. The body also moved and supported approval of the Dec. 19 journal; that motion carried.

Schedule and next steps: Chair Bell said committee assignments would be distributed by 5 p.m. the same day, that the first round of committee meetings would be held the following week on the usual Tuesday/Wednesday schedule, and that the next full commission meeting would be held on January 23. Those scheduling announcements were provided as direction to staff rather than as formal votes.

What the meeting did not do: The session was primarily organizational. No ordinances, contracts, budget appropriations or legislative policy measures were presented for debate or final action at this meeting.

Votes at a glance - Adopt temporary rules for 60 days: motion moved and supported; voice vote; motion carries (no roll-call tally recorded). - Approve Dec. 19 commission journal: motion moved and supported; voice vote; motion carries. - Elect Alicia Bell, Chairperson: motion moved and supported; voice vote; motion carries. - Elect Joseph Palamara, Vice Chair: motion moved and supported; voice vote; motion carries. - Elect Sam Beydoun, Vice Chair Pro Tempore: motion moved and supported; voice vote; motion carries.

Ending: The commission closed the organizational meeting after staff and commissioner recognitions and directed staff to circulate committee assignments and convene the first committee meetings next week.