Rhea County appoints Rick Wilkie to fill District 7 vacancy; officers slated for individual votes

Rhea County commissioners voted to appoint Rick Wilkie to serve the remainder of an unexpired District 7 county-commission term that expires Aug. 26, the board announced during its regular meeting. The resolution to appoint Wilkie was moved, seconded and accepted for consideration by the board.

The action followed procedural discussion about formal rules for filling the vacancy. A commissioner proposed a set of rules requiring nominations be made by a city and county commissioner, seconded, and decided by a majority of a five-member board; if more than two nominees were presented the lowest vote-getter would be eliminated and voting would continue until one nominee received the required majority. The board agreed to adopt the rules by motion and second.

Board members then moved to elect officers for the commission (chair, vice chair and committee assignments) by acclamation. Commissioner Cashman voted "no" during a roll call, prompting the chair to withdraw the blanket acclamation and proceed with individual nominations and votes for each officer position.

Chair and commissioners recognized the incoming appointee and announced a swearing-in ceremony for the newest commissioner during the meeting. During the ceremony an appointee answered, "I do solemnly swear," and commissioners offered congratulations. Commissioner Hill said, "It truly is an honor to be able to represent district" and expressed appreciation for the confidence placed in the new representative.

The board concluded with expressions of thanks to applicants and staff and moved to adjourn. No detailed roll-call tally for the Wilkie appointment or the individual officer votes was recorded in the transcript; motions were moved and seconded and the board proceeded to take the actions described.