Commissioners table plan to seat county commissioners on the IDA after heated public debate

Commissioner Kenny Wells introduced a resolution to change the Industrial Development Authority’s membership so that the five county commissioners would serve as ex officio voting members and reduce the number of appointed at-large members.

Wells said the change is meant to “align operations directly under public oversight” and “ensure greater accountability to the public,” explaining the board’s interest in greater oversight of IDA spending. He read the draft resolution and asked the board to act on it that day.

The proposal met immediate resistance from residents and IDA leadership. Denise Grimsley, CEO of the Development Group and longtime IDA leader, warned that the change would “undermine the objective independent oversight of an appointed board” and risk grant funding and private-sector confidence. Grimsley said the IDA’s autonomy provides a check-and-balance that helps secure funding and absorb project risk, and she urged slower consideration: “This thing needs to be workshopped.”

Public commenters echoed both views. Some residents called the measure a needed step toward accountability; others called it a “backdoor move” that would politicize a body set up to attract confidential business negotiations. Ken Evers and other long-time citizens urged the commission to allow residents time to study background materials and attend a dedicated workshop.

After extended discussion and multiple requests from commissioners for more time and public input, the board voted unanimously to table the resolution and hold a special evening workshop at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 14 so the public, staff and IDA leaders could review the proposal and its implications before any final vote.