County council deadlocks on president vote; interim president named, payroll changes to be reviewed

The Washington County Council failed to elect a president during a January 5 joint session after two 3–3 votes—one for Karen Wischmeier and one for Brad Gilbert—leaving the council without a permanent chair. Attorney Alyssa Cochran advised waiting until the February meeting when all members could attend and recommended installing an interim president; the council voted to name Mark Abbott interim president for the period before February.

Public commenters, including Chris Boling and Sheriff Brent Miller, raised concerns about the county's move to 27 payrolls in 2026 and whether employees would see smaller paychecks. Council members asked the county attorney to review the salary ordinance with labor counsel; the council "assured employees that if it needed to be changed then back pay would be issued." The council also tabled several appointments (PTABOA, Park Board) until the February meeting when full membership will be present.

Council business continued with multiple board appointments approved, including Dario Lee to the Alcohol Beverage Board and Ryan Watson and Keeley Stingel to the Redevelopment Commission. The council recorded an additional appropriation request for bridge fund 1135 of $796,525 during department reports.