Resident says zoning-board appointments don't match state law; county attorney asked to clean up records

A resident at a Washington County commissioners meeting raised procedural concerns about zoning-board appointments and asked the board to reconcile its records with state law.

The speaker said agendas and meeting records showed appointment schedules that "do not meet the state requirements" and cited state statutes. "To remove a sitting member like David Lyles, you have to send a letter to the member's home address with reasons for removal, and he has 30 days to appeal to the courts," the resident said while reading from prepared material.

Commissioners acknowledged turnover and record-keeping challenges. One commissioner noted county attorney Lisa Fleming had been compiling files to sort the matter and asked the resident to provide the research. "Lisa Fleming, our attorney, has, probably about eight or nine months ago, she began making a file and trying to get all this sorted out," a commissioner said.

Board members said staggered terms and member availability have complicated appointments. The meeting record includes references to specific seats and names (David Lyles, Marcia Daley, Lucy Brinton, Deidre Miller) and an assertion that Laurie (Lori) Gilstrap may not meet party-affiliation requirements for reappointment, which commissioners discussed on the record.

What happens next: County counsel and staff will continue to reconcile appointment records and the board encouraged the resident to provide the materials to the county attorney to assist with the review.