Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour asked Commissioner Matt Rubelsky to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. The minutes of 3 October 2025 were moved for approval by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Commissioner Caleb Savage, and were then approved unanimously. Announcements were provided by Commissioner David Wamble, Chair of the full legislative body, and who asked for prayers for Barry Hyatt due to health issues, and discussed the courthouse heating boiler which was being repaired and expected to be working by the following week.
First Agenda Item – Revisit commissioners pay. The Chair asked Commissioner Terry Jones (who had initiated the agenda item) to discuss. Commissioner Jones said although he had voted to approve the current policy as noted in Resolution Section 2024-22, Section 2, he had reconsidered. This section as currently approved noted that starting in 2026, after election of commissioners, the monthly salary of commissioners would be reduced if they miss any county committee or full legislative meetings. Commissioner Jones said after considering that commissioners sometimes have reasons such as illness for missing meetings, they are still “taking care of business” throughout the month regardless. A motion by Commissioner Joyce Woodard, seconded by Commissioner Annelle Guthrie, was made to approve the removal of Section 2, in total, whichrelates to non-attendance and reduced pay. Sheriff Joe Purvis said he knew that commissioners were on 24/7, so if they miss a meeting, their pay shouldn’t be reduced, especially for health reasons. The Chair noted originally it was placed in that section as an incentive to remain involved and not miss meetings, so there are pros and cons. Commissioner Gayle Jones said she didn’t support the original language, i.e., everybody is individually responsible. Commissioner Brown said that the question on availability and a quorum hasn’t happened for a long period of time, and further he wasn’t sure a penalty would make a difference. Lois Aymett, from public, said she wasn’t sure the attendance is always on the webpage. The Chair said as a rule change this would need simple majority of the committee and 2/3 the full legislative body to change. Roll call vote was 6 -1, with the Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour voting no.
2nd Agenda Item – Proposed rule changes commissioner communications (Misc. Rule 3) public comment (Rule 7). The Chair turned the discussion over to Commissioner Hopkins who had initiated the agenda items. Commissioner Hopkins discussed Rule 7 on how the public comments are conducted in the full legislative body meetings, i.e., speak at beginning and only on the agenda items, with five minutes allowed, and no transferring of any of those minutes to another speaker. He recommended the committee meetings be structured the same way as to streamline and stay on topic. He said at the start of his commissioner service the two type meetings were consistent but over time had changed. Further he said he didn’t want to stifle public comments and he read from the county’s policy on public comments. Commissioner Gayle Jones said this was discussed before in committee and never was voted to send to the full commission. She said she supported being allowed to speak on each agenda item since often until you meet in committee you might not know what the agenda item is about and it was helpful to hear others as well. To help start the discussion a motion by the Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Carman Brown, was made to approve the changes. The following discussion covered not having enough information up front for the public to address the published agenda items (short descriptions or not enough backup information on website) in an informed manner at the beginning of committee meetings, and/or the desire for the public to hear from a variety of viewpoints on each agenda item; vs commissioners are available ahead of meeting and the public should use those commissioners to express their concerns prior to the committee meetings, and to help streamline the process not to have so many back and forth comments. The Chair noted there are times when the data to be presented is only available or finalized shortly before a committee meeting happens. Commissioner Wamble mentioned the rules state prior to voting on any issue the public is asked if want to speak, and per Commissioner Terry Jones right before the vote. A motion by Commissioner Caleb Savage was to entertain this discussion at the next Legislative committee meeting, and the Chair provided the second. Commissioner Hopkins agreed to rescind his resolution for modification and presentation at the next legislative meeting
The discussion then centered on commissioner communications with Commissioner Hopkins saying to maintain reliable communications and to be assessable to the public, he recommended all commissioners have multiple forms of current communication capabilities, i.e., phones, email service. A motion by the Chair Commissioner Baddour, seconded by Commissioner Savage, was made to approve revised Miscellaneous Rule 3 section of the county’s policy. For those commissioners who do not use digital devices, the question was asked if they would be grandfathered in as an exception, with Commissioner Hopkins saying no. The Chair said this change would have no teeth (no enforcement mechanism),with Commissioner Hopkins saying we need to be able to get in touch with each other to do our jobs effectively. Commissioner Terry Jones asked if this would mean that would be a qualification for new candidates, so all would have to be on social media. Commissioner Hopkins said he was not getting into the political side, he was trying to accommodate communication. Commissioner James Lathrop said that is our responsibility and the commissioner not using digital device has the responsibility of getting the information himself. Commissioner Terry Jones added that the County Executive Graham Stowe had said if you want it (the information) mailed, let him know. Commissioner Gayle Jones said this is not required by the state and there is no way to enforce, and she is against the change. Especially she said as it opens up to other “issues”. The Chair said even though the state doesn’t require, that doesn’t mean we can’t have a commission rule setting an expectation that commissioners have a working email, even if the rule doesn’t “have any teeth.”
The commissioner communications (email requirement) motion passed since a rule change needs simple majority in committee, but for a rule change to become official it must pass the full commission with a 2/3 majority vote. Commissioners Annelle Guthrie, Terry Jones, and Gayle Jones voting no.
Old/New Business – Leah Bailey, member of the public, asked when it is appropriate for public records to be available, e.g., taking pictures of those records. Commissioner Hopkins said bring to your commissioner(s) and they can bring up to committee. The Chair said this could come up in the Financial Management meeting as an alternative.
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Joyce Woodard, seconded by Commissioner Caleb Savage, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Committee Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour, Terry Jones, Annelle Guthrie, Caleb Savage, Gayle Jones, Carman Brown and Joyce Woodard (for Erin Curry absent) Other Commissioners in attendance David Wamble, David Adams, Trace Wilburn, Joseph Sutton, Judy Pruett, James Lathrop, Matt Rubelsky, Mathew Hopkins, Rose Brown Others in attendance Joseph Purvis, Sheriff, Chief Deputy Michael Woodard, Josh Young – EMA Chief, Phil Reese – Economic Development Director, Knox Vanderpool – School Board Chair and members of the public.