Commissioners and HCDC members agree to workshop after heated discussion over oversight and communication

Commissioners, development commission members and residents spent an extended portion of the meeting debating the structure, oversight and communications between the county and the Holmes County Development Commission (HCDC).

One commissioner proposed asking the state legislature to change the HCDC’s governance so the county could exercise greater oversight and provide employee benefits; he said the timing was appropriate while the commission searches for a new director. "I would like for the this board to go ahead and submit a request… to fix it in a way that we do business a little different," the commissioner said.

HCDC members and residents urged caution and asked for better communication rather than an immediate governance change. Judy Pineau, who identified herself as a long‑time HCDC member, said the commission has had "more bad days than good days" and asked for better coordination. Another attendee urged the commissioners to "kill the infighting" and said the county must be transparent to make progress.

Several commissioners moved that the HCDC chairman be added as a recurring agenda item (monthly) and that county staff attend HCDC meetings at least once a month to foster communication. The board agreed to request a workshop with the development commission and invited the parties to propose dates and an agenda to improve collaboration and transparency.

What’s next: staff will coordinate with the HCDC to schedule a joint workshop to discuss governance, reporting and roles; commissioners asked for a written update from the development commission’s incoming director at a future workshop.