County fails to move on EMA director appointment after heated floor debate

A resolution to appoint Richard J. Keasey as Director of the Madison County Emergency Management Agency was introduced at the Dec. 15 County Board meeting but failed for lack of a motion after extended debate.

The resolution set the position’s effective date as Dec. 15, 2021 and a salary of $91,249.60. During floor discussion, several board members expressed concern about displacing the current EMA leadership following the department’s response to the Dec. 10 Edwardsville tornado. "I’m curious why we are even considering an appointment for this position? We have an EMA Director that has done an outstanding job," said County Board member Eric Foster, referring to recent emergency response operations.

Chairman Kurt Prenzler and counsel debated procedural options for postponing or tabling the appointment; members disagreed on whether tabling was in order under Roberts Rules. At least one motion to table or postpone was proposed and then withdrawn; a motion to put the appointment on the floor for consideration failed to obtain support. Chairman Prenzler declared the appointment failed for lack of a motion.

Other speakers acknowledged the nominee’s credentials — "Rick Keasey is a fantastic human being, a great American … a highly decorated Air Force Colonel," said Board member Mick Madison — but some members said they still would vote no on replacing the current director.

Outcome: No formal vote was taken to confirm Keasey because the board did not have a motion to consider the appointment. The item was effectively removed from consideration at the Dec. 15 meeting, leaving the current EMA director in place pending any subsequent notice or reintroduction of the appointment.

Next steps: The board took no immediate action to replace the EMA director; any future appointment would require a motion and majority vote at a properly noticed meeting.