At an organizational meeting of the Barry County Board of Commissioners, the board elected Commissioner David Jackson as chair and Commissioner David Hatfield as vice chair, approved committee assignments and a 2025 meeting schedule, and adopted new board rules amid debate over the scope of the personnel and human services committee and how public comment is structured.

The organizational session set the board's leadership and procedural framework for 2025. Commissioners debated whether a standing personnel and human services committee should have narrower authority and whether the county should limit one of its two public-comment periods to agenda items only.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 202501 (elect David Jackson as board chairperson for 2025): moved by Commissioner Getty, seconded by Commissioner Hatfield; roll call recorded Bassett—Aye; Carlton—Absent; Campbell—Aye; Getty—Aye; Hatfield—Aye; Jackson—Aye; Smelker—Aye; Toonerson—Aye. Outcome: adopted (yes 7, no 0, absent 1).

- Resolution 25-02 (elect David Hatfield as vice chairperson for 2025): motion recorded (mover and seconder announced during the meeting); roll call recorded Bassett—Aye; Carlton—Absent; Campbell—Aye; Getty—Aye; Hatfield—Aye; Jackson—Aye; Smelker—Aye; Toonerson—Aye. Outcome: adopted (yes 7, no 0, absent 1).

- Resolution 25-03 (adopt rules of the Barry County Board of Commissioners): moved by Commissioner Hatfield, supported by Commissioner Toonerson; roll call recorded Bassett—Aye; Carlton—Absent; Campbell—No; Getty—Aye; Hatfield—Aye; Jackson—Aye; Smelker—Aye; Toonerson—Aye. Outcome: adopted (yes 6, no 1, absent 1). Commissioner Campbell stated he would not vote for adoption until the personnel-committee language was addressed.

- Motion to confirm the chairperson’s committee appointments: moved by Commissioner Getty, supported by Commissioner Smelker; roll call resulted in approval (yes recorded; one member absent). Outcome: approved.

- Adoption of the 2025 meeting schedule for the Committee of the Whole and Board of Commissioners: motion carried by roll call with Commissioner Bassett recorded as No and one member absent. Outcome: adopted (yes 6, no 1, absent 1).

What commissioners debated

Discussion about the personnel and human services committee occupied multiple exchanges. Some commissioners said the committee’s current scope — particularly language that includes “including but not limited to” — is too broad and allows a small subset of commissioners to handle matters that should be seen by more members. One commissioner argued that narrower, clearer language and a board-level decision to refer items to that committee would ensure transparency and broader participation; another said some hiring and appointment interviews are better handled in a smaller setting for the comfort of applicants and to get a better read on candidates.

On public comment, several commissioners discussed whether to limit the first of two public-comment opportunities to items on the agenda and to keep the second session open for any topic. Commissioners cited community access and convenience as reasons to keep two sessions, while others favored limiting the first session to agenda items with clear notice on the published agenda. The board agreed to remove a redundant “citizen participation” paragraph from the rules where it overlapped with another section that allows the chair or a majority of the board to recognize speakers.

Procedural next steps and staff direction

Commissioners agreed to prepare revised language for the personnel and human services committee rules and bring a draft back to the board for review. The board chair said the revisions would be prepared with assistance from commissioners and staff and return to the Committee of the Whole (COW) or the full board for consideration so members could provide input before finalizing any changes.

Public comment and other items

During public comment Mark Monsenior of Barry Township urged a more private interview process for mental-health-board applicants, saying public interviews can deter qualified candidates. A staff speaker reported that interviews for a board appointment had been scheduled in 10-minute slots (three hours total) and that a smaller setting can make applicants more comfortable.

Commissioners also approved the chair’s committee appointments and discussed a planned tour of the Branch County Jail in Coldwater, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 1:30 p.m., and said logistics would be worked out with county staff. Several commissioners welcomed newly seated Commissioner Bassett and offered brief remarks about the coming year.

Nut graf

The votes set leadership and procedures for the year and adopt rules that the board said they will revisit to clarify the personnel committee’s authority and the mechanics of public comment. Commissioners explicitly left a path to amend the adopted rules once recommended language is drafted and reviewed.

Ending

The board adjourned after the organizational business and general comments; commissioners said they would circulate proposed revisions to the personnel and human services committee language and place the draft on a future COW agenda for consideration.