By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
County commissioners will look at developing a new policy dealing with county employees seeking public office.
An outright ban may be impossible.
Chairman Carl Ford noted sheriff’s deputies frequently run for sheriff, and employees in the Register of Deeds Office may also opt to run. Employees of both offices are county employees.
Several people have urged the board not to prohibit county employees from seeking office. Instead, they urged requiring any employee who was elected to resign his or her job before taking office.
James Rollans, a west Rowan farmer, said county employees should be allowed to run for office, but he stressed officials should work to avoid conflicts of interest.
Allen Welter, a China Grove alderman, took a slightly different tact. He argued it is a conflict of interest for county employees to serve as elected officials, contending that when they serve on municipal boards, their views are clouded by the county paycheck and benefits they receive, such as health insurance.
Welter cited two government employees on the China Grove Board. Although he didn’t name them, he has previously complained about Mayor Don Bringle, who is the county parks director, and Butch Bivens, who is maintenance director for the Rowan-Salisbury Schools.
Commissioners tackled the question after Ken Deal, the county’s director of administration ran for the board of commissioners. He lost in the Republican primary and opted to stay in his job.
County Manager Gary Page provided copies of policies from two counties for information.
The Wilkes County policy allows employees to seek county office, but they cannot hold county office while an employee.
Henderson County specifies no employee may serve in elected position or be a candidate for elected position in county government.
Commissioner Chad Mitchell said he could support the Wilkes policy that would prohibit a sitting commissioner from being a county employee.
Mitchell said he could not support a policy that tells someone they can’t run.
Commissioner Raymond Coltrain agreed with Mitchell, saying it is a citizen’s right as an American to be involved and seek office. Coltrain said he can’t see taking away that right.
Commissioner Tina Hall, who brought the issue to the board, noted the Rowan-Salisbury Schools prohibit employees from running for the school board while still employed by the school system.
Vice Chairman Jon Barber said the county policy needs to be revised, but was not more specific.
Commissioners agreed Tuesday evening for a committee of Chairman Carl Ford and Commissioner Tina Hall to work with County Attorney Jay Dees to develop a policy for the full board to consider.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254.