Council tables two board appointments until January amid concerns about process

The Easley City Council on Dec. 9 voted to table two appointments until the January meeting: Kevin Dillard for the Board of Zoning Appeals (term through Dec. 31, 2027) and Watson Neely for the Planning Commission (term through Dec. 31, 2028). Council members said the decision was motivated by concerns about the appointment process and a desire to consider multiple applicants together rather than confirming single candidates on the night of the meeting.

A motion was made to table both appointments until January; council discussed concerns about public perception that management had preselected candidates and several members said tabling the votes would allow more confidence in the process. One council member said they received an email suggesting the vote had already been predetermined by management and that postponing would improve transparency.

When the council took votes on tabling, the presiding officer announced the tabling motions and there were no recorded objections in the public transcript for the first appointment; the second appointment also had a motion to table, a second, and a vote to table. Council members urged more applicants to apply for future vacancies so the council could choose from a wider pool. The transcript contains further discussion about the statutory criteria for appointment to the planning commission and about a council member’s view on a specific candidate’s past positions; those comments were part of the public record and included as council deliberation rather than a final action beyond the tabling votes.