Coffey County rescinds hospital board appointment after legal review; seat remains vacant

The Coffey County Board of Commissioners rescinded an earlier appointment to the Coffee County Hospital board after receiving legal advice in executive session, leaving the seat vacant pending a new appointment process.

Background: The board convened a 20-minute executive session under the attorney–client exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act to receive legal advice about a recent appointment. After the session, county counsel recommended the board rescind the Dec. 23, 2024 motion that had appointed Daniel Meyer to a three-year term running Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2027. Commissioners then voted to rescind that appointment by voice vote; the position remains vacant.

Why it matters: Rescinding a board appointment after legal review is an uncommon action; the board said it will follow up by reopening the application process and reviewing the appointment procedures for county boards. Commissioners discussed holding off on formal application review and refinement of application forms for appointed boards until the next meeting, while continuing to advertise vacancies.

Next steps: The county clerk will post a vacancy and the county will review and possibly update application materials before accepting formal applications for the hospital board position.