Henry County Commission raises Planning Commission to 10 members, names new chairs and appointees

The Henry County Commission voted on Sept. 16 to expand the county Planning Commission from seven to ten members and approved scores of board and committee appointments. The motion to amend the Planning Commission size (Resolution 1-9-24) was made by Commissioner Marty Visser and seconded by Commissioner Kenneth Humphreys and passed by voice vote.

The appointments approved under Resolution 2-9-24 place a mix of commissioners and citizens on standing committees and commissions. County Mayor Randy Geiger was appointed chairman of the commission for a one-year term expiring Sept. 2025; Commissioner Monte Starks was appointed vice-chair. The resolution also named Gatlin Primrose to multiple committees (Adult Oriented Establishment Board, Agriculture Committee, Animal Control Committee, Buildings & Grounds, Health Insurance Committee and Liability Insurance Committee) and filled multiple Planning Commission seats including Bethany Edwards, Richie Chilcutt, Albert Wade, Mason Peale, Matt McCrory and Patrick Smith for various multi-year terms.

The resolution text notes the change to the Planning Commission is made pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated §13-3-101 and states, in part: "the County Commission of Henry County does hereby amend the Planning Commission to be a ten (10) member commission." Commissioners recorded a unanimous voice vote in favor. The commission packet on file with the County Clerk lists the appointment terms and the specific committee assignments that were approved.

What happens next: appointees will begin serving under the terms listed in the resolution; Planning Commission meetings will remain subject to Tennessee open meetings law. No additional public hearing or new ordinance was required for the change in membership count.