Council upholds board-and-commission appointment policy after rejecting amendment on litigation restriction

The Committee of the Whole approved revisions to the county's board-and-commission appointment policy after rejecting an amendment that would have removed language disqualifying people who are parties to active legal actions against Greenville County.

The chair opened discussion on the item and turned it over to Councilor McGahee, who said the phrase 'dually qualified' in the policy was intended to convey that an appointee "has the acumen, the background, the resume" to perform the duties required. Councilor Shaw moved to remove Section 4's fifth item, which would bar an appointee who is a party to active litigation against the county. "I would move to remove the requirement that the party cannot be a party to an active legal action against the county of Greenville," Shaw said.

Councilor McGahee opposed removing the language, saying the restriction is intended to avoid placing commissioners in legal jeopardy if the body becomes involved in litigation. "I think that's why that language is in there," McGahee said, noting concerns about a board member serving on a body that is itself a defendant in a suit. The committee held a voice vote on the amendment; the chair announced the amendment was denied.

After the amendment failed, a motion was made to approve the policy as presented. The chair called for a voice vote and announced, "The ayes have it," indicating committee approval of the policy revisions by voice vote.

The committee did not record roll-call tallies in the transcript. The policy revision will be reflected in public meeting materials as part of the council's appointment procedures going forward.