Commissioner Parker objects to Delegation's hire of coordinator who also serves as county treasurer

A dispute over the Delegation's hiring of a Delegation coordinator who also serves as the county treasurer surfaced at the March 6 Carroll County commissioners meeting. Chairman Charles McGee criticized the Delegation process, saying the hire did not follow county hiring policy, lacked posting and interviews, and created a perceived conflict by combining roles. Commissioner Harold B. Parker said he will refuse to sign any compensation for the coordinator and said the treasurer needs independence from reporting to either branch of county government.

Clerk Gene Chandler responded that the Delegation has the statutory authority to hire staff but agreed the coordinator must complete required county paperwork and comply with personnel policies. Public commenters echoed concerns: Fred Cain said the position should have been advertised and that the treasurer had previously been a regular attendee at meetings; Ed Comeau observed that the coordinator reports to the Delegation, not the Commissioners.

No formal county vote reversing the Delegation's hire took place at the meeting. The commissioners discussed potential next steps, including seeking a legal opinion or asking the coordinator to resign the treasurer role if needed to avoid the conflict.

Ending — Commissioners raised procedural and conflict-of-interest concerns; no formal remedy was adopted at the meeting and the issue may be subject to follow-up or legal review.