Union County Supervisor Dennis Brown was named chair of the Board of Supervisors during Tuesday’s meeting, replacing Ron Riley, and Supervisor Lois Monday was named vice chair, replacing Brown.
The decision to go around the group came about four years ago, when Brown, Monday and Riley all decided to give every board member a chance at the position.
“I think it spreads the leadership around because the chair does take on some more responsibilities and, you know, answers more questions. I feel the change in leadership gives everyone a chance,” Riley said.
Riley, the previous chair, no longer has the additional chair responsibilities he was given in January 2016.
“It’s good for all of us three,” Brown said. “We all believe it’s gone quite well and it’s really a good way to do it.”
Being chair means additional duties. The chair helps set the weekly agenda, runs meetings and bring items to a head and vote while still allowing an appropriate amount of discussion. The chair also has other, behind-the-scene duties to attend to, such as fielding more phone calls from constituents, attending other meetings and discussing budgets.
“You really have to be the spokesperson for the board,” Brown said. “You have an idea of what the other guys think, and when everyone comes to a consensus, you need one person to funnel everything through. ... I enjoy the whole job, so this is just a part of it,” Brown said. “I have to do my part just like the other guys do.”