Madison County board discusses county-attorney appointment, vacancy timing and recruitment

Madison County supervisors discussed a resolution naming Jamie McGuire in connection with the county-attorney office and reviewed options for filling an upcoming vacancy, including timing, outreach and temporary coverage. The board’s discussion focused on whether to declare the vacancy on Nov. 6 or wait until Nov. 12 to widen the application window and allow more candidates to apply.

"We need stability in the county attorney's office," said Speaker 3, explaining why the board was considering modest salary adjustments and a quick appointment to ensure continuity of service. Board members referenced recent turnover in other counties and said smaller, rural counties are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit attorneys.

The board discussed practical steps to expand the applicant pool, including placing a listing with the bar association (estimated roughly $300 for a month) and notifying law schools at no charge. Speaker 3 said the county could pay for bar-association advertising out of the county-attorney budget and that posting later — declaring a vacancy on Nov. 12 and publishing the opening the following week — would give additional time for applications and allow interviews after Thanksgiving.

Board members confirmed there is at least one applicant on file but said they hoped for more. The discussion also covered temporary coverage: the board asked that a first assistant or the appointed designate be authorized to perform necessary duties during any short interim between resignation and final appointment.

No formal vote on the county-attorney appointment text is recorded in the transcript excerpts provided for this session. The board did identify steps it may take at the Nov. 12 meeting and directed staff to continue recruitment and, if needed, use available budget authority to pay for outreach.