Redevelopment Commission appointment sparks 3–4 split, leads to resignation and later unanimous appointment

The Scott County Council’s May 12 meeting included a contested sequence of votes over the Redevelopment Commission seat that produced an initial 3–4 defeat for a candidate, a separate motion by the council president to retain his seat and a subsequent resignation and unanimous appointment.

Council Member John Lizenby moved to appoint Jonathan White to the Redevelopment Commission; the motion failed 3–4. The recorded ayes were Lizenby, Collins and Miller; the nays were President J.R. Ward, Vice President James Richey, Justin Cheatham and Scott McCoskey.

Following that vote, President Ward moved that he remain on the Redevelopment Commission. That motion passed 5–2 with Ward, Lizenby, McCoskey, Richey and Cheatham voting aye and Collins and Miller voting nay. After the vote, Collins resigned his seat on the Redevelopment Commission and the council later reconsidered the appointment: Collins then moved to appoint Jonathan White and, on a subsequent motion seconded by Miller, the council approved the appointment unanimously 7–0.

The sequence produced conflicting outcomes in a short period: an initial failed nomination of Jonathan White, a successful motion for President Ward to remain on the commission, a resignation by Collins, and then a unanimous appointment of White. Attorney Heather Archibald Peters noted the Board of Commissioners had recommended increasing county per diem rates; the council agreed to discuss per diem changes at its June 9 meeting.

The council adjourned after completing business.