By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

The Morgan County Commission voted to change term lengths for two groups: the Board of Tax Assessors and the Madison-Morgan County Recreation Commission.

Term lengths went from six to four years while the term length went from six to five years, respectively.

These changes will affect new members to each group and not current members, according to County Attorney Christian Henry.

Henry said that a state law from the 1940s actually sets the term length for the Recreation Commission at precisely five years.

“I was surprised statutory law governs the Rec Board,” he said. He added that he would look into other boards to see if there are state laws regarding those term lengths.

According to County Manager Michael Lamar, pros for these changes include increasing the likelihood that people are more likely to serve if there is a shorter term.

Cons include the amount of training associated with a group may make it challenging for those with shorter terms. For example, those on the Board of Tax Assessors are required to complete 40 hours of training in their first year.

“If that’s not done, you automatically come off,” said Commissioner Andy Ainslie. “The next year and following require training each year.”

As to appointments to fill vacancies on both the Board of Tax Assessors and the Council on Aging, Commissioners voted to reappoint John Milliken and Marcus Schuchs to the board and Runae Daws and Joyce Thomas to the council.

Printed in the December 27, 2012 edition