County to consider staggered terms

By Lisa Majors-Duff

During the 5 p.m. work session, board members are expected to continue discussions on regulating sight-seeing helicopter businesses and the process of requiring payment of delinquent taxes before transferred deeds are recorded.

Also on the work session agenda is a discussion of Jackson County Transit's contract with Webster Enterprises and a report from Department of Social Service Director Bob Cochran.

At the request of Commissioner Stacy Buchanan, board members plan to review a proposal to stagger member terms during the 7 p.m. session. According to the proposed resolution, county voters would be given an opportunity to express their opinion on staggered terms during the November general election.

Should the referendum be approved, board member terms would be modified by declaring the two top vote-getters would be elected for four years, while the candidates receiving the next highest number of votes would be elected to two-year terms. At the next and at each succeeding general election, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes would be elected to four-year terms.

Jack Debnam, chairman of the county planning board, is expected to appear before the board tonight to request an extension of the moratorium on cell tower construction while work continues toward developing an ordinance to regulate such building.

An amendment to the sediment control ordinance and a review of the county's holiday schedule are also expected during the regular session.

The meeting, which will be held at WCU Outreach Center, the former Camp Lab School, is open to the public.

Back to Archive: 01/17/02.