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Martin County commissioners reelected leadership, reappoint staff and adopt policies at Nov. 13 meeting
Summary
The board reelected Tommy Bowen as chair and Dempsey Bond Jr. as vice chair; reappointed Richard James as county attorney, Jessica Godard as clerk and Elisha Hardison as tax assessor; adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity policy and a revised DSS appeal policy; accepted state "Raise the Age" funds.
At its Nov. 13 meeting the Martin County Board of Commissioners completed routine reorganization and approved several personnel and policy items.
The board reelected Commissioner Tommy Bowen as chairman and Dempsey Bond Jr. as vice chairman under NC G.S. § 153A-39. The motions to reelect were moved and seconded by board members and the minutes record the results as unanimous.
The board voted to retain Richard James of Peel and James as county attorney and reappointed Jessica Godard as clerk to the board. County Manager David Bone recommended a four-year reappointment of Tax Assessor Elisha Hardison under NC law; Commissioner Elmo “Butch” Lilley moved to reappoint Hardison for a term ending Dec. 31, 2023, and the board approved the motion.
On personnel policy, the board adopted a drafted Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy and designated County Clerk Jessica Godard as the county EEO officer to handle complaints. The board also approved a revised Department of Social Services appeals policy to align county procedure with the Social Services Board and state Administrative Code (25 NCAC 011).
The board accepted state funding of $14,273 for the "Raise the Age" juvenile-jurisdiction expansion; no local match was required for the current fiscal year. Vice Chairman Bond moved to accept the funds; the board approved the motion.
The board also approved its 2020 meeting schedule and several routine consent items such as minutes, financial reports, tax releases and appointments to regional boards and fire-trustee positions. Public commenter Mercedes Fornay thanked the board for flowers sent after her mother's passing.
What happens next: reappointments and adopted policies take effect per county procedures; county staff will implement the EEO officer role and update handbooks to reflect the DSS appeals policy.
