BOC split on appeals process

A motion by Jackson County commissioner Tom Crow to create an appeals process for department heads after what he calls a “miscarriage of power” ended in a 2-2 vote Monday night.

Since there was not a majority vote for approval, the vote failed. Commissioner Dwain Smith voted along with Crow, but Bruce Yates and Hunter Bicknell voted against the motion. Chas Hardy was not at the Monday night board of commissioners meeting.

Crow made a motion that interim county manager Leonard Myers create an appeal process for disputes involving department heads.
“I’ve talked to several department heads and they feel like they have no protection under the process as it is now,” Crow said.

But BOC chairman Bicknell pointed out that the county charter gives power to the county manager to hire and fire department head.

“If we were to do this, it would be in conflict with our county government charter,” Bicknell said. “The charter states that the power rests with the county manager to hire and fire department heads.”