The Board of County Commissioners completed its 2026 officer elections at the Dec. 2 meeting after multiple nominations and public comment.

Nominees for chair included Commissioner Tal Sadiq and Commissioner Robert (Bob) McCann. Commissioner Sadiq won the chair seat in a recorded count. Amanda Ballard was elected first vice chair; George Cruz was chosen second vice chair and Carol Phelps third vice chair.

The board also made appointments to the Port Authority and Tourist Development Council. Commissioner Mike Ron was elected chair of the Port Authority, with Commissioner Carol Felts as first vice chair and Commissioner Jason Bearden as second vice chair; Commissioner George Cruz was elected third vice chair. Commissioner Amanda Ballard was selected as the county representative to the Tourist Development Council, with Commissioner Feltz as alternate.

Nominations and debate were robust: public commenters urged particular choices, and several commissioners framed the selections around who would be most active representing the county, attending events, and working with state and federal delegations. Commissioners voiced competing priorities: experience and stability versus new leadership and visibility.

What happens next: The new officers' terms begin at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026.