News-Record.com

A few commissioners questioned when the best time was to make decisions during Tuesday's work session.

In a recent work session during the doldrums of summer, a couple important decisions happened though not all commissioners were present. Most notable among the decisions was on how to build the $115 million jail.

This was an issue before with previous boards - making decisions during work sessions and agenda meetings. Doing so isn't illegal if a majority of the board is present, but the decisions aren't during the usual times when the board does its deciding in front of the lights and camera of a regular Thursday meeting.

Commissioner Linda Shaw spoke up against taking votes in work sessions during Tuesday's work session, something that didn't bother Commissioner Bruce Davis. And Shaw also suggested having an extra meeting per month.

Incidentally, the board already has two meeting per month during most months of the year, except summer months, when many take vacations.

"It’s a waste of time to sit here and talk," and not vote, Davis said, adding that some agenda items keep getting pushed back because a board member to hear about it separately during the time that's set for regular meetings.

Commissioner Carolyn Coleman agreed with Shaw's stance on work session voting, adding that she wanted to be able to vote in a time that was televised - which is the regular commissioners meeting.

"We vote for the citizens," Davis said, alluding to the power of an elected official to represent his or her constituents.

Later in the work session, as the board chose not to fund two items that had already had funding pulled or denied for one reason or another, Shaw refused to vote (which is counted as an automatic no), while the others in attendance voted as they would any other time there's a quorum present. Coleman, along with Davis, participated in both votes.