Human Services board forwards three applicants to county commissioners for vacant consumer seat

The Union County Consolidated Human Services Board voted to forward three applicants — Ben Mount, Michael Evola and Eddy Yang — to the Board of County Commissioners for appointment to a vacant consumer board seat.

Executive Director (Speaker 1) told the board that the seat opened after Earl Ford resigned because he moved out of the county and that the board had received three qualifying applications. He said interviewers Randy Smith, Matthew Childs and Dr. Kolash conducted candidate interviews and asked the Human Services Board to recommend one or more candidates for the commissioners to consider.

Board members discussed candidates’ residency in Union County and relevant experience. Committee member (Speaker 2, Chair) and others said each applicant brought different strengths; one member said Michael Evola’s local ties were valuable while another noted strong subject-matter experience from a different candidate.

After discussion, the board considered motions and, by voice vote, approved forwarding all three candidates to the Board of County Commissioners for its appointment decision. The board did not specify a preferred ranking; the commissioners will review the candidates at their next meeting.

The board’s action was procedural: it forwards candidate names to the appointing authority rather than making the final appointment. The executive director said the commissioners will report back after their next meeting.