Heard County delays two commission appointments, opens applications with one-week deadline

Heard County commissioners on Feb. 17 voted to delay appointments to two county commissions while opening an immediate application window.

Chairman Tracy McCormick proposed agenda changes that included proposed staggered terms for several Historic Preservation Commission candidates (1-year: Keith Meacham; 2-year: Tonnie Adams and Larry Pike; 3-year: Lana Bussey and John Murray) and adjustments to Board of Equalization slots. Commissioner Iris Harris moved to table the Historic Preservation appointments to allow for a proper application process; after discussion the Board unanimously adopted a substitute motion by Harris, seconded by Commissioner James Perry, to table all Historic Preservation appointments (items A–E), open applications immediately and set the application deadline for one week before the next meeting.

The Board also discussed timing for Board of Equalization appointments. County officials noted the next grand jury will not convene until April, so Equalization appointments cannot be finalized before the May meeting. On a motion by Harris, seconded by Perry, the Board unanimously voted to table all Equalization Board appointments until May, to open applications immediately with a deadline one week prior to the next regular meeting, and to forward all applications to the clerk of court for grand jury review.

All motions on the appointments and application windows passed unanimously. The Board did not finalize any individual appointments during the meeting; the names listed on the amended agenda were part of the proposed changes to the agenda and not recorded as final appointments.

The Board directed staff to open the public application process for both boards, collect applications by the stated deadline, and forward Equalization board applications to the clerk of court in advance of grand jury review. The appointments are expected to return to the Board for action at the May meeting.