Haralson County commissioners keep two monthly meetings schedule

The Haralson County Board of Commissioners voted to keep its current schedule of two meetings per month — a work session and a regular voting meeting — after discussion among commissioners about whether to consolidate into a single monthly meeting.

Commissioner Eddie moved to leave the meeting schedule “as is,” and the motion received a second. Commissioners who spoke in favor said that regular work sessions give the board time to examine items thoroughly before a vote and allow department heads to present issues across the county’s more than 30 departments.

Commissioner Farmer and other supporters said consolidating to one meeting could shortchange taxpayers by reducing the board’s time for oversight. Another commissioner — who had proposed combining sessions into a single monthly meeting — said the rationale for consolidation was that the board sometimes converts work sessions into special-call meetings or executive sessions and that consolidating could be more efficient, while still allowing additional meetings when needed.

After discussion and a roll call, the motion to retain the two-meeting-per-month schedule passed.

Looking ahead, commissioners said they want work sessions to better reference items that will appear on the later voting agenda so the board can deliberate in advance of final votes.