Greer County commissioners approve burn ban, post 2025 salary list and confirm multiple board appointments

Greer County commissioners on Feb. 23, 2026 approved a countywide burn ban, posted the county's 2025 employee salary list under state law, and confirmed a set of appointments and reappointments to local boards.

Chairman Mark Barnes called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and noted advance notice was posted on the courthouse north entrance and at the commissioners' office. Vice-Chairman Steven Fite moved to approve Resolution No. 2026-7, establishing a burn ban in Greer County; Brent York seconded. The board recorded votes of York-aye; Barnes-aye; Fite-aye, and the motion carried unanimously.

The board also approved minutes from its Feb. 17, 2026 special meeting and its Feb. 17, 2026 emergency meeting. Both motions were carried by unanimous votes recorded in the minutes.

In accordance with Senate Bill 484, the board provided a listing of all county employees and their annual gross salaries for calendar year 2025. The minutes list dozens of employees and amounts; the highest salary shown is for Steven J. McMahan at $54,176.40. Several elected officials and department heads are listed with annual amounts in the roughly $30,000 range; some part-time or intermittent payments are recorded at smaller amounts (examples include amounts under $2,000 for certain entries). The minutes present the full list as the county's disclosure under SB 484.

The board approved several appointments and reappointments. Vice-Chairman Steven Fite moved to reappoint John Whatley to the Russell Community Volunteer Fire Association Board; Brent York seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Brent York moved to reappoint Carol Toole to the Greer County Economic Development Authority; Steven Fite seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Additional action taken later in the meeting included the appointment of Nicole White to the Greer County Fair Association Board (motion by Steven Fite, second by Brent York); acceptance of the resignation of Cary Billy from that same board (motion by Brent York, second by Steven Fite); the reappointment of Haile Clark; and the appointment of Brian Gambill. The board also approved issuance of blanket purchase orders and approved payroll. Each of those motions was seconded and recorded as passing with York-aye; Barnes-aye; Fite-aye.

The board recorded that no action was taken on several scheduled agenda items, including meetings with elected officials and department heads, a meeting with OSU Extension Coordinator Cheryl Lively, a meeting with Greer County Sheriff Steven McMahan, and discussion of a proposed 80-bed Law Enforcement Center.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 a.m. The minutes indicate the board approved the minutes on March 2, 2026.