LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
3 October 2025
Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour asked that the minutes of 2 May 2025 be considered with a motion. A motion by Commissioner Joyce Woodard, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, was made to approve the 3 February 2025 minutes and were then approved unanimously. Prayer and pledge offered in previous same day meeting.
Based on the full commission’s decision to return the proposed resolution of the Giles County Commission to streamline the legislative body back to committee, for discussion purposes a motion by Commissioner Matt Rubelsky, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour, was made to reduce the number of commissioners from 21 to 14. The following discussion ensued: Commissioner Joyce Woodard discussed the many times the reduction had been discussed both in committees and in full legislative meetings, and her concern with further discussions happening. Other commissioners commented that is the way of democracy and Commissioner Gayle Jones discussed state and CTAS guidance, especially focusing on reapportionments done typically after census. Chair Baddour said that reapportionment is not required to reduce commissioners, e.g., you can reduce separately from the census or reapportionment. Commissioner Matthew Hopkins commented you can’t do a reduction to apply in the middle of a term but can be done to apply to the next election. The Chair noted other counties have already done and Commissioner Matt Rubelsky noted information from CTAS and ATG that other cases have been done in the past. Commissioner Joyce Woodard asked about a potential “at large representation” (for example 14 from districts and 1 at large – so as to have an uneven number reducing possibility of a tie vote). The Chair said that at large representative could come from any of the districts. Commissioner Joseph Sutton commented on how the county meetings are conducted noting that the meetings are sometimes ineffective with more general comments rather than focusing on the main question. Public speaker Catherine Bailey said no one wants lower representation. Commissioner Tracy Wilburn said everybody he talks to wants 21. Commissioner Gayle Jones commented that she appreciates having other peoples’ voices heard. Public Speaker Leah Bailey said having more voices is really important and she considered it false that with fewer people it would be easier to get things passed. Catherine Bailey said citizens are starting to get more involved and that is a good thing. The Chair said there are a lot of personalities within the representation but he said the most important aspect is arriving at the right consensus. Commissioner David Adams said he is not in favor of the reduction and commented on the usefulness of several representatives in knowing your district. Commissioner Terry Jones commented on the advantage of having more experienced commissioners especially as a first term commissioner. Commissioner Carman Brown commented that he was torn because we would lose some representation, most of the constituents he’s spoken with have expressed support for reduction, and for today’s purposes would vote in favor so the full commission could vote on the reduction. A vote on the motion to reduce from 21 to 14 the number of representatives failed with the following commissioners voting no – Joyce Woodard, Tery Jones, Annelle Guthrie, and Gayle Jones.
Changing Committee meeting times was discussed since an approved process showed particular times to meet to accommodate scheduling, however that was caveated by saying change can be up to the chair of that particular committee. Commissioners Annelle Guthrie and Tracy Wilburn commented it helped with person and public scheduling to have a set time. Commissioner Matthew Hopkins noted a regular schedule helps with him trying to hold a job and do county meetings as well. Commissioner Terry Jones noted the on-going Legislative meeting could have been scheduled for another day with the chair saying not trying to change the rules but the rules are a little flexible with good reason, e.g., when there is a lot of information to cover or an urgent timeline, the chair can choose to call the meeting before the default 9am start time. Based on the discussion Commissioner Terry Jones commented no action needed on this.
New Business – Commissioner Gayle Jones, on providing Commissioner David Wamble’s request to put something in the county’s policy on international travel, asked if the Legislative is the correct committee to address that consideration. Commissioner Matthew Hopkins said we can’t do for all departments, i.e., those departments headed by elected officials, but he also thought it could be brought up in the Legislative Committee. Commissioner Gayle Jones said she would draft a resolution regarding international travel for the committee.
Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the committee Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour, Other commissioner members – Terry Jones, Annelle Guthrie, Gayle Jones, Carman Brown, Joyce Woodard (for Erin Curry absent), Matthew Hopkins (for Caleb Savage absent), Other commissioners attending – James Lathrop, David Adams, Matt Rubelsky, Shelly Goolsby, Judy Pruett, Rickie Carpenter, Tracy Wilburn, Roger Reedy, Rose Brown, Joseph Sutton Other – Members of the public