Richland County Supervisors Elect Carrie Severson Chair, Engel Named Vice Chair

Carrie Severson was elected chair of the Richland County Board of Supervisors during the board’s April 21 organizational meeting, winning the most votes in a three-candidate ballot that followed nominations from the floor.

The board opened nominations for chair under its organizational rules. Supervisor Rod Perry nominated David Turk, Supervisor Thompson nominated Carrie Severson, and Supervisor Mary Miller nominated Randy Spoon. Each nominee addressed the board before members cast ballots. After votes were tallied — Supervisor Spoonover received three votes, Turk seven and Severson eight — the clerk declared Severson the county board chair.

The result shifted the board’s leadership at the start of its new term. Supervisor Severson took the gavel in a brief ceremonial handoff. The body then held ballots for vice chair; after four nominees each spoke, Supervisor Engel received the most votes and was declared vice chair.

The board also elected its committee-on-committees members by ballot. A tie for the final at-large slot triggered a runoff that produced Supervisor Kramer as the fifth at-large member; the chair and vice chair serve automatically on that committee.

The leadership votes were conducted by secret ballot as prescribed in the board’s rules. Administrator Clemens and Corporation Counsel Russell assisted with tallying. There was no recorded roll-call of individual yes/no votes for the leadership ballots; the clerks announced the numeric totals of each round.

The board adjourned the election proceedings and moved on to business on the agenda, including several ordinances and resolutions scheduled for action.

Next steps: newly elected leaders will take their seats for the coming term and the committee-on-committees will meet to finalize committee assignments.