Three Seward County commissioners signal resignations, leaving board without quorum
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
During a heated public meeting Dec. 15, three Seward County commissioners announced they would resign or tender resignation letters, creating an immediate quorum question and prompting county officials to advise that resignations be sent to the governor and county GOP; county administration said routine operations would continue but the commission cannot take formal action without a quorum.
Three members of the Seward County Board of County Commissioners announced resignations or said they would submit letters on Dec. 15, leaving the commission without the quorum needed to conduct county business. County Administrator April Warden confirmed the board lacks a quorum for future votes and advised that formal resignation letters must be filed with the governor and the local Republican Party chair.
The departures followed a night of contentious public comment and board discussion. Commissioner Scott read a prepared resignation letter saying she would step down immediately and would submit a copy to the administrator; she said the decision was personal and that she would remain in Liberal briefly to complete personnel paperwork. Another commissioner said he would tender his resignation the next morning; a third said a letter would be effective the following day. Administrator Warden said the resignations raise immediate operational questions about the county's ability to take action and sign documents, though department operations are expected to continue under existing administrative authority.
Legal counsel Forrest Rhodes attended Dec. 15 meeting discussions and told commissioners that the formal process requires submission of the resignation to the governor. Officials said payroll scheduled for the coming Monday remained on track but acknowledged uncertainty about signing authority for actions that require a formal vote. The administrator said she has statutory authority to manage many county functions but cannot perform actions that require commission approval when no quorum exists.
The commissioners who announced departures expressed frustration at public criticism and recall efforts following earlier votes, and several defended the work done by county staff. The administrator thanked the commissioners for their service and urged continuity of county operations. She also said she and department heads would work to maintain services while the political process to fill vacancies proceeds.
The meeting closed with no further formal actions that would require the full board to act; the county indicated it will follow statutory appointment procedures and coordinate with the state and local party organizations to fill vacancies as required.