LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
10 APRIL 2026
Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour opened the meeting noting prayer and pledge given in same day meeting. The minutes of 6 March 2026 were moved for approval by Commissioner Caleb Savage, seconded by Commissioner Annelle Guthrie, and were approved unanimously. Commissioner Gayle Jones provided a handout for a proposed Resolution that for all county commission committee meetings, held in the annex meeting room, shall be recorded and stored as a permanent record and upon request shall be made accessible for county officials and the general public. The Resolution would take effect upon its adoption. Commissioner Gayle Jones noted the equipment was already available in the annex room, and asked that all think about transparency. A motion was made to approve the proposed resolution by Commissioner Gayle Jones, seconded by Commissioner Annelle Guthrie, with Commissioner Guthrie asking had the equipment been checked to see that it still works. Commissioner Gayle Jones said she thought it had been used relatively recent, with others questioning if that remembered instance might have been done by another organization. Questions on using the equipment were: Who would operate the equipment; if use the county IT person, would increase his cost; who would store and be responsible for saving; and sound quality questioned. Commissioner Caleb Savage provided an amendment to the motion, with the Chair providing a second, that the wording “pending how much cost incurred”. Commissioner David Adams addressed concern of why bought if don’t use it (equipment). Knox Vanderpool, Giles County Chairman School Board, recommended using Google Platform that uses AI for school Board meetings. Commissioner Roger Reedy said the current equipment was bought with a COVID grant due to having approval to hold virtual meetings; and he was not sure how much research went into the purchase at the time. Commissioner Gayle Jones said she liked Knox’s comment, although the AI shouldn’t take precedent over a secretary’s input. She further said she liked the idea of postponing but wants transparency. Motion by Commissioner Gayle Jones, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones, to postpone a decision on the resolution was made. Commissioner Caleb Savage commented not all meetings are held in the annex, with Knox Vanderpool saying the Google Platform is portable through links to servers. The Chair said he could see advantages and disadvantages and this resolution would be relooked upon more information becoming available.
Review of Resolution of the Giles Couty Commission to Revise Commissioner Compensation to Flat Monthly Stipend. Commissioner David Wamble commented this was brought back to allow all to see the updated version and the Chair said it would be in their package for the full commission. Commissioner Gayle Jones said while it might be an increase in pay, Chairs of committees might call for additional meetings when needed rather than postponing due to current cost of each meeting attended. Discussion included: previous commissioners’ pay; frozen for four years with only help for new members done prior to their next election; question on CE salary and how state determines annual raises. The Chair noted no motion required.
The Chair discussed the deadline for non-profits to submit an appropriation request has changed for those outside of the libraries and the Fire and Rescue (theirs remain 1 May). That deadline being 1 July or next business day if falls on a holiday, only 1 printed copy required (all other may be provided digitally). Motion to approve by Commissioner Erin Curry, seconded by Commissioner Shelly Goolsby. Another motion by the Chair for the Application Section, of the County’s policy to reflect the above. Questions on MoE as the reason for setting the libraries and Fire and Rescue in the annual budget process was raised with the Fire and Rescue being noted as having no MoE. Member of the public noted the Giles County Senior Center’s dependence on County funding as a match to receiving SCTDD funding (an MoE) similar to the library’s MoE. However, Commissioner Erin Curry thought that an unfair opportunity for other non-profits to present. The Chair asked if there were any other public comments and there being none, a vote was taken on the above motions and was approved.
With there being no old or unfinished or new business, a motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Gayle Jones, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour, Commissioners Erin Curry, Terry Jones, Annelle Guthrie, Caleb Savage, Gayle Jones, Carman Brown Other Commissioners in attendance Tracy Wilburn, Matthew Hopkins, Joyce Woodard, James Lathrop, Judy Pruett, Shelly Goolsby, Rick Carpenter, Matt Rubelsky, Rose Brown, Roger Reedy, David Wamble Others Knox Vanderpool