Perry County Commission votes Albert Turner Jr. out of chairman position

Perry County Commission Chairman Albert Turner Jr. was voted out of the chairman’s seat Tuesday night as commissioners said it was time for the board to select new leadership for the coming year.

Turner was replaced as chair by Commissioner Carlton Lewis and Commissioner Anthony Long was selected as vice chair. 

Following the leadership vote, commissioners also approved removing Turner from all county financial accounts. After a brief exchange in which commissioners agreed that the chairman and vice chairman should be the authorized signers and that Turner would no longer be included. One commissioner said the accounts needed to reflect “the current leadership of the commission,” and the board proceeded without objection.

The meeting then moved into a series of disputes over personnel, including a prolonged argument about whether Turner had the authority to terminate an employee earlier in the year. County attorney Prince Chestnut told commissioners that under county policy, department heads supervise day to day work but the commission itself must decide whether to retain or dismiss probationary employees. 

“The determination to retain or to let a person go on probationary status, that comes back to the board of commissioners,” he said, adding that a supervisor acting alone does not have the authority to issue a termination letter. Turner insisted he acted properly, but other commissioners disagreed, but no further action was taken.

Another personnel matter surfaced when a department head notified the commission that an employee had completed probation and should be moved to full-time status. Commissioners read aloud the county’s policy, which states that department heads, not the commission, determine when probationary employees become classified employees. The commission accepted the department head’s action.

More from this section

8-foot sheep big enough to make 50 fleece jumpers

Astronauts to wear Prada-designed garment on the moon

Glass of wine, beer daily enough to raise cancer, heart disease risk: study

The commission ratified emergency air conditioning repairs at the courthouse after days without cooling in several offices. The work included two compressors and a blower, costing about $25,000. Commissioners were told the parts carried a three-year warranty.

A $1,200 quote from Denmark Tree Service was approved to clear vegetation from a retaining wall so engineers can assess its condition. Commissioners debated whether the highway department could do the work but ultimately voted to hire the contractor and require a formal contract and insurance documentation.

The most contentious portion of the meeting centered on the closed county jail. The fire marshal has required a structural engineer’s report before the administrative section can reopen. Commissioners debated whether to proceed with C&D Engineering’s $3,500 proposal or wait for a second group working with a nonprofit organization. After extended disagreement, a motion to table both the civil engineering and electrical engineering contracts passed over two no votes. 

Commissioners also accepted a bid from Yellowhammer Roofing for work on the Barnett-King Building, part of a $500,000 grant project. The roof will receive a silicone coating with a 25-year warranty.

The meeting closed with action on the Highway 183 North waterline project. Commissioners voted to send a letter asking the water authority to waive the $225 hookup fee for residents, arguing the county had already contributed several hundred thousand dollars in COVID relief matching funds. The commission then adopted a resolution authorizing the chairman to sign right of entry permits and temporary construction easements needed for the project.