by Ron Gregory
MADISON — The Boone County Commission will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, January 21, at the courthouse in Madison.
Among the subjects to be considered, according to the commissioners, is the fate of Chief Deputy Assessor Susan Baisden. The Deputy Assessor was apparently terminated on the first working day of January by new Assessor Scott Cook.
Baisden is an experienced Assessor employee, often representing the office over the years in Commission meetings and other work-related sessions. When her former boss, Jennings Miller, ran for Sheriff in the 2016 election, Baisden filed for Assessor. She lost the May Democrat primary to Cook.
Rumors had circulated after election day that Cook would terminate Baisden which he attempted to do January 3. But the County Commission majority of Eddie Hendricks and Craig Bratcher passed a motion to keep her employed and said there were sufficient funds to do so. Commissioner Mickey Brown was absent from the meeting where this vote took place.
Cook has reportedly refused to reinstate or pay Baisden and apparently has legal counsel who will advise the Commission that they cannot place Baisden in his office without his approval. Brown said last week that the County Commission has also consulted their attorney.
An item on the agenda for Tuesday lists Cook and it is assumed the Baisden employment will be the subject of discussion. Baisden said late last week that she plans to attend the meeting.
Meetings of the Boone County Commission, aside from specific exceptions permitted by the state Open Meetings act, are open to the public. The Chronicle intends to be present and will report the outcome, if any.