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Heard County commissioners approve March special election, several appointments and amend subdivision rules
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Summary
At their Jan. 26 meeting the Heard County Board of Commissioners approved an intergovernmental agreement to run a City of Franklin special election on March 16, reappointed county officials including the county clerk and county attorney, retained the county auditor at the same fee and approved amendments to subdivision definitions in Zoning Chapter 40; all motions passed unanimously.
The Heard County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 26, 2021, in the Commission Chamber of the Heard County Administration Building and unanimously approved a series of administrative actions, an intergovernmental election agreement and amendments to local subdivision rules.
Chairman Lee Boone opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and the board immediately took up routine business, approving the minutes of the Dec. 15, 2020 work session and regular meeting on a motion by Commissioner Larry Hooks, seconded by Commissioner James Perry.
The board approved an intergovernmental agreement allowing Heard County to conduct a City of Franklin special election scheduled for March 16, 2021. Elections Supervisor Tonnie Adams told the board the city had asked the county to hold the election; County Attorney Jerry Ann Conner said she had reviewed the intergovernmental agreement and found it acceptable. Commissioner Larry Hooks moved to approve the arrangement and authorize Chairman Boone to sign; Commissioner Larry Hammond seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The commissioners also made a series of personnel and administrative confirmations by unanimous vote. Commissioner Larry Hammond nominated Commissioner David Walls as vice chair; the board approved the nomination (motion by Hammond, second by Hooks). Chairman Boone recommended Hope Cole as county clerk; Commissioner James Perry moved to appoint Cole and Commissioner Gwen Caldwell seconded. The board reappointed Jerry Ann Conner as county attorney on a motion by Perry and second by Walls. The board retained Kim Kimmel as county auditor at the same fee, a recommendation the board noted came from Finance Director Felicia Adams (motion by Hammond, second by Caldwell).
On the Department of Public Health Board the commissioners reappointed Dr. Cory Butzon to another term; Boone noted the seat must be filled by a physician. The board also acknowledged a vacancy on the Planning Commission following Bill Gregory’s resignation and agreed to table filling that seat until the Feb. 23, 2021 meeting to solicit interest from constituents.
In its only substantial policy discussion the board addressed amendments to the definitions in the subdivision regulations and Zoning Chapter 40. County Attorney Conner reviewed exceptions the board could adopt for developments that rely on easements; she said the current ordinance does not permit certain easements and that circumstances requiring exceptions are occurring more frequently. After discussion Commissioner Larry Hooks moved to amend the subdivision definition (46.1) and Zoning Chapter 40, Commissioner Larry Hammond seconded, and the board unanimously approved the amendments. Chairman Boone recommended scheduling a work session before the next meeting to further consider easement issues and related matters.
During the public comment period Mike Robinson of 5100 Five Notch Road addressed the board with remarks related to the subdivision decision. The board later entered an executive session on a motion by Commissioner David Walls and a second by Commissioner Larry Hooks. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. on a motion by Gwen Caldwell, seconded by Larry Hooks.
Votes at a glance: all recorded motions at the Jan. 26 meeting passed unanimously. The six voting commissioners recorded yes votes: Lee Boone, Larry Hooks, James Perry, Gwen Caldwell, Larry Hammond and David Walls.
What’s next: The board scheduled a work session to discuss easement-related issues in the subdivision regulations and will revisit the Planning Commission vacancy at its Feb. 23, 2021 meeting.