November 28, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
The county commission has changed its policy on when the public may make comments at monthly meetings and committee meetings of the commission.
During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, the commission voted to reverse a procedure which had been in place since rules were established three years ago for how business is to be conducted at meetings.
Going forward, the public comment period will be held at the beginning of monthly county commission meetings (usually on the 4th Monday night each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Mike Foster Multipurpose Center of the County Complex) instead of at the end of the meetings, which has been the procedure. The public comment period will commence after the initial roll call and prior to action on adoption of the agenda. Each person wishing to address the commission will have three minutes to make public comment. The public will also be given an opportunity to address the county commission at the end of what are referred to as “committee meetings of the whole” which are usually held in the History room of the county complex at 6 p.m. on the Thursday nights prior to the Monday night monthly meetings.
“This change will allow people to comment on what they have heard at the monthly Thursday night workshops (at committee of the whole meetings) and be better prepared to make comments at the monthly commission meetings before we take any votes,” said County Commissioner Tom Chandler who made the motion for the change in policy. It was adopted unanimously by the eleven commissioners in attendance.
Meanwhile a public comment period, as also approved by the commission, will be afforded at the end of any other county committee meeting held during the month as recommended by County Commissioner Greg Matthews and included as an amendment by Chandler in his motion. Up until now, no time for public comment has been specified at other committee meetings such as budget, purchasing, public works, etc. In each case the person wishing to speak at any commission or committee meeting must give their name and either the district or address where they reside in the county.
DeKalb County is in search of a new Veteran’s Service Officer. Bill Rutherford, who has held the position for almost two and a half years has tendered his resignation effective immediately because of health reasons. County Mayor Matt Adcock said a successor has not yet been found to replace Rutherford. During Monday night’s meeting, the county commission acknowledged Rutherford’s resignation.
“We really enjoyed working with Bill. He is a wonderful asset to the county, and he has done a lot for our veterans. I really appreciate Bill and everything he has done,” said County Mayor Adcock.
Meanwhile, County Mayor Adcock said Trevor Glover has resigned as a member of the county commission’s audit committee due to a job conflict. The commission appointed Tom Janney to replace Glover on the audit committee. Janney has been on the audit committee before.
In other business, the commission approved the county justice committee’s recommendation to contract with the Trainor company as architect for design purposes of a proposed judicial center or jail and Bell Construction as the management company should the county move forward.