Residents criticize county attorney’s conduct during public comment

Two members of the public used the three-minute public-comment period to criticize the conduct of Madison County’s elected county attorney and to urge the Board of Supervisors to repair perceived damage to workplace culture.

Amber Better (caller) read a social-media post alleging that County Attorney Steve Swanson behaved unprofessionally during an attempted closed session referenced in the post, describing the conduct as name-calling and "obstructionism." Better said the behavior is being normalized and urged community members to pay attention. "This is not someone our community should be getting behind," she said.

Vicky Brenner (caller) followed, noting that the issue is not on the meeting agenda but saying the county’s officials should model respectful behavior. Brenner cited an earlier meeting where off-the-record remarks were captured on audio and urged supervisors and elected officials to "sit down at the table and figure out how to mend fences and build some bridges."

The comments were presented during the public-comment segment; there is no record in the transcript of the county attorney responding at this meeting. The board acknowledged the speakers and proceeded to scheduled resolutions. The statements are allegations made in public comment and were not adjudicated at the meeting.