Appointments and county-owned property were only two of the topics discussed during a Weakley County Commission meeting held Monday evening in Dresden.
The slate of committee appointments wavered very little from the previous fiscal year for county seats.
It was a unanimous decision by the county commission to re-elect Jimmy Westbrook to serve as chairman of the commission and Roger Stewart to remain as chairman pro tempore.
Jamison Peevyhouse was chosen, once again, to serve the county as public safety officer as well as emergency management director.
There was discussion, however, involving the county mayor-appointed, five member county ethics board. The five chosen were Julia Rich, Larry Taylor, John Salmon, Kevin McAlpin and Mike Medling.
Commissioner Scott Fortner asked commissioners to consider adding a member to the ethics board who would be from the minority party (Republican) on the board. Members of the commission agreed to add a sixth member to the ethics board, which is not a paid committee. Weakley County Mayor Houston Patrick asked Fortner to also serve on the ethics board.
In other news, it was announced the sale of five pieces of county-owned property held earlier that day brought little interest.
Commissioners agreed to proceed with an auction of the properties, located on McComb Street in Martin, New Street in Martin, Wilson Street in Dresden, East Maple Street in Dresden and a piece of property south of Ford Street in Sharon.
Combined, there is a little more than $9,100 owed in back property taxes and penalties against the properties.
It was also announced during the meeting there is a hiring freeze in effect for general fund and highway departments personnel. Contracted employees will now have to be paid on a quarterly or semi-annual basis until the county can show a fund balance in the black each month. Stewart said new standards issued by the state have prompted the changes.
The next meeting of the commission is set for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in Dresden.

WCP 9.18.12