County Council Settles Dispute 'Amicably'

A private meeting of three Berkeley County Council members and two lawyers appears to have resolved the issue of appointing a clerk of council. 

The agreement was described as "amicable" by County Supervisor Dan Davis.

County Council sparred publicly over the authority of appointing a clerk of council, resulting in a hastily called special meeting Monday followed by the ediation Tuesday. County Supervisor and Council Chairman Dan Davis met with Councilman Tim Callanan and Councilman Ken Gunn.

The agreement retains the authority of the County Council to appoint a Clerk of Council by positive majority vote, and will create a new position to serve as a liaison between the Clerk of Council and the County Supervisor's office. 

A press release was issued late Wednesday by Berkeley County calling the issue resolved.

“After extensive discussions, I am very pleased that an agreement has been reached that is in the best interests of Berkeley County," Davis said in the release. "I appreciate the efforts made by members of council to set aside our differences and resolve this issue. I look forward to continuing to work with council members to build a better future for Berkeley County."

Callanan said in the release he was pleased with the resolution that was reached and believes his concerns over council’s authority were recognized and protected.

Gunn, who participated in the meeting and resolution, added he was “pleased that council and the supervisor found common ground in a prompt manner to eliminate this issue.”

Council will likely appoint a clerk at a meeting later this month. Previously, Council’s Committee on Human Resources and Purchasing unanimously approved Interim Clerk Catherine R. Windham to be the Clerk to Council.