Grayson County supervisors read 10 applicants for at-large seat, move into closed session

The Grayson County Board of Supervisors publicly read the names of 10 people who applied for an at-large supervisor vacancy and voted to go into a closed session to review the applications, the board said during the meeting.

The reading of applicants prompted the board to instruct members to review the application packets and to raise any concerns about eligibility before the closed session. An unidentified speaker told the board, “what the code requires us to do is announce the applicants,” and said the board may discuss names in closed session but would make an appointment decision at the next supervisors’ meeting.

The clerk/readers announced the applicants in the order presented: Taylor Hyatt (application received 11/14), Chris Anders, Terry Dunleavy, Brenda Sutherland, Robert Joseph Williams, Paul Gray Richardson, James Wyatt, Dennis J. Cox, Jason Harris and Tracy Anderson. The reader stated residences or district affiliations as reported on the applications (examples recorded in the transcript include Fries, Elk Creek, Old Town, Independence and Wilson District).

Board members discussed the timeline for the appointment and the subsequent election. An unidentified speaker said an appointee would serve a roughly one-year term until the next November special election. The board described a process in which attorney Steve Durban prepares a petition to the court to schedule the special election; the transcript records that two special elections would likely be held at the same time, but the exact election date(s) and details were not specified.

Before the closed-session vote, the board moved and seconded a motion to enter a closed session to discuss the candidates. The chair called for the vote and members responded with a voice vote of 'aye'; the motion carried by voice vote (the transcript records multiple 'aye' responses but does not include a roll-call tally in the record).

Earlier in the meeting the board also moved to approve the meeting agenda by voice vote.

The board instructed Mary (participating by phone) to review the application materials and report any concerns before or during the closed session. The meeting minutes and any formal appointment action are expected to be recorded at the board’s next scheduled meeting.