HOMER — Brad Day will return as economic development director for Banks County following a vote by the Banks County Commission Tuesday.
"Coming out of executive session, we have a situation where Brad Day, economic development director, has been under contract," said Commission Chairman Jimmy Hooper.
Day's contract with the county was set to expire Friday, March 31, 2017.
"With that being said, I am making the following recommendation," Hooper said. "I make a motion that Brad Day be hired as a Banks County employee, as head of economic development.
That motion included setting an annual salary for Day and making him eligible for the same benefits afforded to any other county employee.
His motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Danny Maxwell. Hooper, Maxwell, Commissioner David Duckett and Commissioner Sammy Reece voted in favor, while Commissioner Charles Turk voted against.
Following the meeting, Turk explained that a situation involving Day at a recent chamber of commerce/convention and visitors bureau event led to his no vote against hiring Day.
"I believe in economic development, but what's transpired in the last week or so, the way he's treated a couple of citizens of the county and an employee, I just don't support that," Turk said. "I don't support any employee doing what he did, so that was the main reason I voted against."
Turk stressed his vote specifically pertained to Day, not the position.
"I'm not against economic development," Turk said. "We need an economic developer, but I think we need one that is an employee that carries themselves at all times. That's what I think we need to have."
Hooper said after the meeting he preferred not to comment on a personnel matter.
