Charlotte County supervisors elect 2024 leadership, reaffirm remote participation policy and adopt code of conduct

The Charlotte County Board of Supervisors, meeting in the Administration Building on Jan. 2, 2024, elected Supervisor Gary D. Walker as chairman and Supervisor Walter T. Bailey as vice chairman and set several governance policies for the year.

Daniel N. Witt, the county clerk, called the organizational meeting to order, led the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the invocation. The roll showed Supervisors Gary D. Walker, Noah Davis, Robert L. Shook Jr., Derek Toombs, Walter T. Bailey, Henry Carwile and Hazel Bowman Smith present.

Supervisor Robert L. Shook Jr. moved and Supervisor Walter T. Bailey seconded approval of the meeting agenda; the motion passed with all members voting aye.

For leadership, Supervisor Walter T. Bailey nominated Supervisor Gary D. Walker for chairman for 2024; no additional nominations were offered and, with all members voting aye, Walker was elected chairman. Supervisor Robert L. Shook Jr. nominated Supervisor Walter T. Bailey for vice-chairman; that nomination carried with all members voting aye.

The board adopted Robert’s Rules of Order for Small Groups ‘Boards’, on a motion by Supervisor Bailey, seconded by Supervisor Shook, with an amendment requiring a second for all motions. The motion carried with all members voting in favor.

Supervisor Hazel Bowman Smith moved and Supervisor Noah Davis seconded adoption of a resolution titled “Participation in Meetings Through Electronic Communication Means,” reaffirming the county’s policy allowing board members to participate via electronic communication. The resolution was adopted; the roll call recorded all supervisors voting yea.

The board also endorsed a “Code of Conduct & Performance,” a resolution that sets expectations for attendance, preparation, civility, respect for laws and impartial discharge of duties by members. Supervisor Walter T. Bailey moved and Supervisor Hazel Bowman Smith seconded the code’s endorsement; the board adopted the resolution by roll call with all supervisors recorded as yea.

Finally, Supervisor Noah Davis moved and Supervisor Henry Carwile seconded a motion to set the regular 2024 meeting schedule for the second Wednesday of every month, with odd-numbered months beginning at 1:00 p.m. and even-numbered months beginning at 6:00 p.m. No vote was recorded in the minutes excerpt provided before the meeting was adjourned by Chairman Walker.

The organizational meeting concluded with the board adjourning after setting its leadership, rules and calendar for 2024.