The Greenwood County Commission held their routine weekly meeting on Monday, May 12, addressing various items, including landfill access, internet service billing issues and personnel matters.
Greenwood County resident and local business owner Buddy Stitt approached the commission with a request to dump tree waste at the landfill after hours. The commission clarified that while the City of Eureka manages the mixing grounds, Stitt could coordinate with the Road and Bridge Department for potential access to the county-run landfill at 1453 X Road. The landfill operates Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and the second Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting. Road and Bridge staff member Kassadie Lazar suggested Stitt contact the department at 620-5838111 to check staff availability outside standard hours.
The commission reviewed and approved meeting minutes and presentation of claims, including May 12 special payables of $16,948.73, May 16 regular payables of $100,911.47, and payroll totaling $156,276.67.
During new business, EMS Director Brian Mongeau raised concerns over continued billing from Granite, a former internet and phone provider. Despite switching to Velocity, the county is still under three contracts with Granite, according to the company. The commission previously agreed not to renew these contracts due to termination penalties. Granite has agreed to resend the contracts for review, with further discussion planned for the next meeting.
Health Department Administrator Jamie Lewis reported that staff member Valerie Morris has completed training and is now certified as a WIC Vendor and Coordinator. The commission approved a $1/hour raise, bringing Morris’s wage to $19.04/hour. It was again noted that the commission would like for all department heads to review the policy handbooks with their teams and submit any suggested revisions.
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After Commissioner Judd Everitt asked how departments distinguish between hourly and salary, a 10-minute executive session for personnel (no justification was provided) was held with Lewis. No action was taken after returning to open session.
The commission then held a 15-minute executive session for personnel matters, after Everitt asked for policy clarification. No action was taken.
A five-minute executive session was held with Levi Vinson, with Emergency Management, for personnel- employee evaluation. No action was taken.
Commissioner Roy Ballard then asked for a 10-minute executive session for equipment evaluation. With this subject not being one of the seven reasons a session could be held for, the commission reviewed the topic options and held a 10-minute session to discuss security measures that protect specific systems, facilities or equipment including persons and private property, if related to the agency.
Editor’s note: The other most common topics that can be discussed in an executive session, are: 1.) To discuss personnel matters relating to non-elected personnel. 2.) Consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney- client relationship. 3.) To discuss employee-employer negotiations. 4.) To discuss data relating to the financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships. 5.) To discuss matters relating to action affecting a person as a student, patient or resident of a public institution. 6.) For preliminary discussion of acquisition of real property.
The commission noted that department heads should allow for a 3% Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) for the 2026 budget year.
The meeting adjourned at 10:12 a.m.
The next meeting for the Greenwood County Commissioners is Monday, May 19, at 9 a.m.
