Out of 16 applicants for the open Union County Board of Supervisors position, nine will receive interviews.
“There’s a lot of good applicants. When you’ve got a lot of good applicants and have to narrow it down to the best pick, that’s difficult,” said Sandy Hysell, Union County auditor and member of the appointment committee.
Hysell is joined by Union County Treasurer Kelly Busch and Union County Recorder Paula White on the committee. The three met 4:30 p.m. Monday to discuss the applicants and narrow them down. They are now in the process of contacting the applicants to schedule interviews the afternoon of May 24.
Names of applicants will be released once they have been notified and interviews are scheduled.
Union County Attorney Tim Kenyon, who is currently the recording secretary for the committee, said the committee did not have to choose applicants based on any state rules and regulations concerning things like race, gender or, in this specific instance, political party.
“I don’t believe there are any specific party components. ... I can indicate, as the attorney, folks may have some idea that in state government there are some newer rules and regulations that indicate you need to balance groups,” Kenyon said. “This is not necessarily one of those appointments.”
Kenyon said the committee based their decision on who they felt would be best for the county.
“I think we want somebody who wants to work as a team with the current board of supervisors, somebody who may bring some good ideas to the board, you know, fresh ideas, new ideas,” Hysell said, “someone who has the good of the county in their thoughts on why they want to be part of the supervisors.”