Commissioners decided during their Tuesday meeting to seek a state recommendation from the state attorney general before acting on Graylan Quarterman's request for a leave of absence from the Liberty County Development Authority. The issue is likely to be back on the agenda for a vote next month.
Quarterman requested the leave when a volunteer job assignment took him to Kosovo. The decision has been bounced back and forth between the County Commission and the Development Authority, with no definite answer on whether Quarterman will retain his seat.
County attorney Kelly Davis said there is no specific guidance for this situation in the law.
“The local legislation simply says in the event of a vacancy, you, the commissioners, will appoint a replacement. But the question is, is his presence outside the county for an extended period? Does that constitute a legal vacancy?” Davis said.
Davis said the attorney general advice is not binding, but it usually is followed.
In other business, Dr. Zorana Sifford will likely finish Dr. Chris Vaughn’s term on the Hospital Authority since only three applications were received.
The other two applications were from authority chair Jon Long and member Verdell Jones, who both seek re-appointment.
Commissioners also decided to write off about 60 seriously delinquent personal property accounts totaling nearly $33,000. They dated as far back as 1998.
“I hate to forgive anybody’s taxes, but it’s a matter of cleaning the books up down there,” Commissioner Eddie Walden said.
He said he thinks the next time the board has to write off delinquent taxes, the insolvent list should be published.
The board unanimously agreed with the concept, but some members thought the request for the notice should come from the tax commissioner.
The board also recognized Kenny Fussell for his six years as a commissioner and serving as vice chair. It was Fussell’s last meeting after turning down re-election.
“We appreciate your years of dedicated service to Liberty County and its citizens,” Commission Chairman John McIver said. “We have enjoyed working with you, and it’s been a great pleasure.”
Fussell said he enjoyed serving.
“You do the best you can,” Fussell said. “People beat you up, but you honestly try to do the best you can."
Quarterman requested the leave when a volunteer job assignment took him to Kosovo. The decision has been bounced back and forth between the County Commission and the Development Authority, with no definite answer on whether Quarterman will retain his seat.
County attorney Kelly Davis said there is no specific guidance for this situation in the law.
“The local legislation simply says in the event of a vacancy, you, the commissioners, will appoint a replacement. But the question is, is his presence outside the county for an extended period? Does that constitute a legal vacancy?” Davis said.
Davis said the attorney general advice is not binding, but it usually is followed.
In other business, Dr. Zorana Sifford will likely finish Dr. Chris Vaughn’s term on the Hospital Authority since only three applications were received.
The other two applications were from authority chair Jon Long and member Verdell Jones, who both seek re-appointment.
Commissioners also decided to write off about 60 seriously delinquent personal property accounts totaling nearly $33,000. They dated as far back as 1998.
“I hate to forgive anybody’s taxes, but it’s a matter of cleaning the books up down there,” Commissioner Eddie Walden said.
He said he thinks the next time the board has to write off delinquent taxes, the insolvent list should be published.
The board unanimously agreed with the concept, but some members thought the request for the notice should come from the tax commissioner.
The board also recognized Kenny Fussell for his six years as a commissioner and serving as vice chair. It was Fussell’s last meeting after turning down re-election.
“We appreciate your years of dedicated service to Liberty County and its citizens,” Commission Chairman John McIver said. “We have enjoyed working with you, and it’s been a great pleasure.”
Fussell said he enjoyed serving.
“You do the best you can,” Fussell said. “People beat you up, but you honestly try to do the best you can."