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Lexington council appoints 10‑member vision plan advisory committee after debate over former‑official picks
Summary
The Lexington Town Council voted to appoint a 10‑member vision plan advisory committee from 16 applicants on Feb. 2, 2026, after a protracted discussion in which some council members objected to two seats going to former elected officials and others defended the selection process; the slate passed with one recorded dissent.
The Lexington Town Council voted Feb. 2 to appoint 10 residents and local business owners to a newly formed vision plan advisory committee that will gather public input and recommend updates to the town’s long‑term vision plan.
Mayor Hazel Livingston introduced the slate and said the committee will “help shape Lexington’s future” by collecting community feedback and monitoring progress on the plan. The council approved the appointments by roll call after a contested discussion over the method of selection.
The council packet listed 16 applicants and the ordinance establishing the committee requires ten members who either live in town or own an in‑town business; one member must represent the faith community and one must represent a school or school district. Council member Jenny Michaels outlined the selection process: each council member would appoint one applicant by written ballot to select seven members, then each council member would select three additional applicants from the remaining pool to reach ten; municipal staff would tally ballots and retain them as part of the official record.
Rather than vote on individual nominees, the council considered a full slate. Several council members objected to adopting the slate, saying the process resulted in two former elected officials being appointed to the committee instead of additional 'average' citizens who had expressed interest. Opponents urged a more open approach and said the ordinance does not specify a nomination procedure; supporters said the slate process was within the council’s discretion and stressed broad community engagement would continue regardless of committee membership.
After ballots were tallied, the council appointed the following members to the vision plan advisory committee: Eddie Davis; Randy Halfacaker; Dana Holmsley; Kathy Mayus; Charlie Spite; Marcy Schrother; Tony Coleman; Courtney Maloney; Misty Stathos; and Chuck Corley. A council member stated they would not support the slate for reasons of civic inclusion; council leaders replied that those not appointed would still have multiple avenues to participate, including public meetings and online surveys.
The committee will serve without compensation and is charged with soliciting public input and providing recommendations to the council. Council members emphasized that the broader public will be invited to meetings and online surveys so residents can contribute regardless of committee membership.
The council’s next step is for the municipal clerk to notify appointees and for the committee to begin scheduling public outreach and meetings as part of the vision‑plan update process.
