Cherokee County creates planning commission, appoints three members amid conflict concern

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted Dec. 16 to create a county planning commission and appointed three members to district seats following debate about nomination authority and conflicts of interest. The resolution creating the commission passed 2–1, with Commissioner Myra Frazier opposed.

Commissioner Frazier argued the draft resolution should allow each commissioner to nominate a candidate; she sought at minimum a process for commissioner nominations during discussion before the motion. After a reworking of the resolution, Commissioner Cory Moates moved approval and Commissioner Lorie Johnson seconded. The motion passed with Frazier voting against the measure.

At nominations for the new body, Commissioner Frazier nominated Dale Scott for the District 1 seat. Commissioner Moates raised concerns that Scott had signed an agreement with a solar company and said he felt “anyone with a direct benefit should not set on the board,” citing potential conflicts of interest. Despite the objection, the nomination carried; the formal appointment (Resolution 30-2024) was approved 2–1 with Commissioner Johnson recorded as opposing that vote.

Commissioners later named Randy Commons to the District 3 seat and Brett Warstler to the District 2 seat; both appointments passed unanimously. The newly formed commission must schedule meetings, seek bids, and draft bylaws before beginning zoning work. The Board also discussed earmarking roughly $150,000 in ARPA funds for planning commission and zoning activities.