The Clay County Commission voted 5-1 to appoint Commissioner Jay Johnson as the county's representative to the zoological district board, after commissioners debated whether to act now on an additional at-large seat and raised questions about how the nomination list was assembled.
Commissioner Worthington nominated Jay Johnson; the commission recorded a 5-1 vote after roll call (Commissioner Wagner cast the lone No). The commission noted the board does not meet until September.
County legal counsel told commissioners that, under the applicable statute, the Friends of the Zoo must provide three names and the commission is required to select one of those names within 60 days. "The statute is very clear that these friends of the zoo shall give you three names and that you shall pick one of those names within 60 days," the county counselor said, adding the statute does not provide a right to reject the list and demand a different panel.
Several commissioners said they wanted more time to vet a second, at-large nominee and raised concerns that prospective applicants had been told different information about how nominations would be processed. Commissioner Worthington said he was not ready to act on the additional list he had received that day but moved to nominate Jay Johnson for the commission seat. Commissioner Whittington and other members said they planned to follow up with the Friends of the Zoo and could act on the remaining appointment within the 60-day statutory window.
The commission's action was limited to appointing the commission representative; no formal action was taken on any at-large appointment during the meeting.