Board tables Eli Tilley nomination after member raised social-media concerns; recommends two other candidates

The Buncombe County Health and Human Services board voted to return the nomination of Eli Tilley to the executive committee for further vetting after a board member raised concerns about material found on social media. At the same meeting the board recommended two other executive-committee nominees — Jennifer Henderson and Mary Long — for submission to the Buncombe County commissioners.

Why it matters: The board serves an advisory and recommendation role for county appointments. Returning a candidate to the executive committee delays the recommendation to the county commissioners and signals the board sought more information before forwarding a nomination.

Chairperson (unnamed in the transcript) presented three candidates vetted by the executive committee: Eli Tilley (candidate to represent youth), Jennifer Henderson (nurse; occupational health manager at MAHEC) and Mary Long (senior program manager at Goodwill; former DSS staff). During discussion, board member Donna said she reviewed social media and had “a lot of concerns,” citing the candidate’s public affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention, commentary on LGBTQ issues, and conservative commentary she found online. The chair said the executive committee had emphasized role expectations and that the committee had found no concerns during its interviews, but the board debated whether to proceed.

Without legal counsel present, board members discussed options: vote the recommendation up or down, table the nomination, or send it back to the executive committee for additional review. A motion to return Tilley’s nomination to the executive committee prevailed (motion seconded; one member voiced opposition), and the chair said the executive committee will reassess and bring the nomination back.

The board then voted to recommend Jennifer Henderson and Mary Long to the county commissioners. The executive committee put both names forward; Henderson was recommended as a MAHEC representative with occupational-health experience and Mary Long for experience with disability services and past DSS work. Board members raised no red flags and the motions to advance Henderson and Long to the commissioners carried by voice vote.

The board did not make final appointments; the county commissioners will vote on the recommendations. Members discussed board-ethics and removal processes in response to the social-media concerns, and the chair reminded members the commission makes final appointments.

Votes at a glance: - Motion: Return Eli Tilley nomination to executive committee for further review. Outcome: carried (motion seconded; one board member announced opposition). - Motion: Recommend Jennifer Henderson to county commissioners. Outcome: carried (voice vote). - Motion: Recommend Mary Long to county commissioners. Outcome: carried (voice vote).

Board members asked staff to document the next steps for nominations and to place the November meeting date (Nov. 21, virtual) in the minutes. No removals or appointments were made at the meeting.

The board’s discussion highlighted procedural protections (the board recommends, the commissioners appoint) and a desire among members to ensure nominees reflect the board’s expectation to represent the health needs of the entire Buncombe County community.