James J. Cunningham was elected chair of the Madison County Board of Supervisors during the board’s organizational meeting and was sworn in before the body moved to its regular agenda.

A nominations period produced two nominees. Supervisors cast a weighted roll-call vote; the clerk announced a tally of 1,192 votes for Cunningham and 308 for Matt Roberts, after which officials declared Cunningham the board’s chair and administered the chair’s oath.

In brief remarks after taking the gavel, Cunningham said the board will set 2026 goals collaboratively with department heads and town supervisors and asked members to prepare two short-term and two common priorities for an upcoming planning session. He advocated creating a countywide strategic plan and a unified GIS of utilities and infrastructure to help gauge capacity for growth. “I love Madison County,” Cunningham said. “We will need to keep our children here and to have opportunity for them.”

Cunningham cited recent county property repurposing that he said saved the county nearly $8,000,000 and stressed the need to understand water and wastewater capacities as development interest grows, mentioning Chobani and Micron as nearby economic anchors. He said a countywide GIS would provide a 3D view of utilities and valves and noted that other counties’ systems aided planning and emergency response.

The new chair also announced his vice chair: Pete Walrod, who took the oath as vice chair at the meeting.

The board then proceeded to its regular agenda, beginning with administrative resolutions and appointments.