Board appoints Michael Bryant to at-large planning commission seat, reopens District 4 recruitment for 30 days

The Amherst County Board of Supervisors appointed Michael Bryant to the planning commission's at-large seat on March 3 and decided to keep the District 4 seat open for an additional 30 days of recruitment.

County Administrator Mr. Brown explained the vacancy: Michael Bryant previously served on the planning commission for district 4 but now seeks the at-large position after moving. Bryant introduced himself during the interview: "My name is Michael Bryant and I'm a fourth generation Ammeris County native," and described his civil engineering degree from Old Dominion University and work in land-development design.

Bill Wise, the other applicant, described lengthy experience with state highway and materials engineering and a long record on the county Board of Zoning Appeals. Board members discussed optics, continuity and vacancies: several members said appointing Bryant to the at-large seat would allow a seamless transition because he is already familiar with the commission's work while the county re-advertises District 4.

Mr. Adams moved to appoint Bryant to the at-large position, continue advertising the District 4 vacancy for 30 days, and, if no district applicant applies, to contact Bill Wise about filling District 4. The motion passed by voice vote; the board did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting minutes.

The board also approved two agricultural committee applicants who had applied for two open seats during the meeting.

Background: Bryant told the board his professional experience includes land-disturbance permitting, stormwater designs and prior service on the planning commission. Wise described decades of state-level highway and stormwater work and service on the county's Board of Zoning Appeals.