Fayette County commissioners appoint initial board of new development and finance authority

The Fayette County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 20 appointed the initial five members of the Fayette County Development & Finance Authority and set staggered initial terms so the authority can organize and begin operations.

The board named Richard Boggs and Bridget Sollars to one‑year initial terms; Jason Fox to a two‑year initial term; Scott Baird to a three‑year initial term; and Gordon Conn to a four‑year initial term. The appointments implement provisions of the county resolution that created the authority and establish the staggered terms required for initial membership.

The appointment resolution cites Ohio Revised Code Sections 4582.21–4582.71 as the enabling authority for the creation of the development and finance authority. The motion to appoint the initial board was moved by Commissioner Donald L. Fleak and seconded by Commissioner James D. Garland; roll call votes were recorded as Tony Anderson, aye; James D. Garland, aye; Donald L. Fleak, aye. The motion carried unanimously.

The resolution instructs the Fayette County economic development director, or the director’s designee, in consultation with the appointees, to give notice of an organizational meeting where the new authority will adopt bylaws, elect officers and take other steps to begin work.

No public comment or debate on the appointments is recorded in the meeting minutes. The organizational meeting date and any initial agenda items for the authority were not specified in the record and are to be set by the economic development director.