The Henderson City Council will consider a reorganization of the Intergovernmental Committee during its retreat scheduled for late January.
The Intergovernmental Committee currently consists of Henderson Mayor Pete O’Geary along with council members Sara Coffey, Lonnie Davis, and Brenda Peace-Jenkins.
The change suggested by City Manager Ray Griffin would reconstitute the committee, whose primary task is negotiation with Vance County government, as a committee of the whole, meaning that all eight council members along with the mayor would comprise the Intergovernmental Committee.
It is not known if the county will take similar steps. The county commission did not discuss the issue during their January meeting. However, the county commission has previously stated objections to all members of the Henderson City Council attending intergovernmental meetings.
Griffin also told members that in a meeting between Griffin and O’Geary of Henderson and Vance County Commission Chair Eddie Wright and County Manager Jerry Ayscue in late December the appointment of a liaison from each body was discussed.
Griffin indicated that this has been done before, but did not elaborate.
Member Garry Daeke asked Griffin what the liaisons would do. Griffin replied that the question of protocol has not been fully answered. He did go on to state that the liaisons would take directions from their respective governing bodies.
After Daeke expressed discomfort with taking a vote on the issue without members Coffey and Mike Inscoe present, the council voted to table the motion until the council’s retreat.