Columbus County commissioners elect Brent Watts chairman, Scott Floyd vice chairman

Brent Watts was elected chairman of the Columbus County Board of Commissioners and Scott Floyd was elected vice chairman during the board’s organizational meeting. The county attorney opened the process by reading the board’s procedural rule and the statutory authority for officer elections under the North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS 153A-19). Nominations were taken from the board and each commissioner voted aloud; the attorney then announced the elections concluded.

The board presented a gavel to outgoing leaders in recognition of service and recited an invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Watts thanked the board for its confidence and said he hoped to lead the board to “move this county forward in the best way we can.”

The commissioners approved an amended agenda, accepted minutes from the prior meeting and approved a signatory resolution enabling the chairman and vice chairman to sign certain county documents. The board also set a notice that the Dec. 15, 2025 regular meeting would be cancelled unless needed.

The meeting proceeded to routine business, including public input, budget and contract items, and appointments to county boards. The board recessed briefly to convene Columbus County Water and Sewer Districts 1–5 before returning to regular session and adjourning for the day.