Commissioners voted last week to crack down on attendance on boards and committees and also discussed the need to take action against one of their own members who has been absent for five months.

The county commission met in regular session in Benton with Wanda Cheek and Fred Wilcoxon absent. Kevin Stephens regretfully announced that he is resigning as county commissioner because he will be moving to Bradley County. He suggested Mike Curbow as a replacement, but the commission has to provide public notice before a vacancy can be filled.

John Pippenger said he will be putting discussion and/or action on Wilcoxon on the agenda for next month’s meeting. He said he understands that Wilcoxon has said he has resigned but there has been nothing in writing. “Either he needs to do something or we have to look at legal resources,” Pippenger said, noting District 2 is missing out on representation.

The attendance resolution presented by Mark Bishop called for each board and committee that is appointed or confirmed by the county commission to take roll and to send the roll, along with meeting minutes, to the county executive’s office each month. They are also to send a list of members and their terms to the county executive by Nov. 1.

The resolution originally called for action to be taken if members miss three consecutive meetings without legitimate cause or excuse, but Pippenger suggested that be changed to three meetings in a 12-month period. For statutory committees, the member will be asked to resign and a replacement appointed. For non-statutory committees, the commission will declare a vacancy and appoint a replacement. The resolution was approved 6-1 with Buster Lewis voting against.

Bishop said it is difficult for committees to get anything done if they don’t have a quorum. Those who can’t make the meetings should step aside, he said, adding the commission also needs to look at the committees that are inactive. Pippenger pointed out that the resolution allows for legitimate absences. “If you don’t have a good excuse and are not showing up, you must not want to be on the board,” he said.

In other action:

• Greg Brooks was elected to serve as Commission Chairman for the coming year. Daniel Deal is vice chairman.

• David Bigham was appointed to the Copper Basin Utility District, replacing Bill Smith, who resigned. Brooks voted against.

• Rickey Brooks was appointed to the Planning Commission, replacing Steve Harbison, who resigned.

• The commission affirmed a decision by Road Superintendent Harold Hood to make a four-way stop at the intersection of Welcome Valley Road and Pankey. Area residents had complained that a muscadine vine blocked the view of the intersection.

• Bonds were approved for the Road Superintendent and Assessor of Property.

• The inventory list for the Road Department was approved.

• An equipment lease for the School Department was approved.

• A citizen asked for a copy of the rules and regulations that the commissioners use, saying the commissioners shouldn’t pass on votes unless there is a conflict of interest. They should be voting yes or no, she said.

• Discussion of co-signing a line of credit for Copper Basin Medical Center was tabled. The commission will meet with representative of Brim, the management company interested in operating the facility, on Thursday, 7 p.m. at the community center.