Honorable W. N. Watson, Esq., of Fort Payne, will preside over the mediation of the Jackson County Commission to settle a long-time controversy concerning the hiring of a county engineer. Watson, according to the Order of Referral to Mediation by Circuit Judge Jenifer Holt, is a certified mediator and has been appointed in the case.

The case stems from a dispute between members of the commission regarding the interpretation, application and enforcement of rules of procedures adopted by the commission for regular, special and emergency meetings. The standard agenda format includes a segment for discussion items. Motions made during this portion of the meeting require unanimous approval of all commissioners.

On October 13, 2009 Commission Chairwoman Sadie Bias recommended a candidate to fill the position of county engineer. A motion to approve the recommendation by District 4 Commissioner Horace Clemmons failed for the lack of a second.

During the November 9 and November 23 Commission meetings, District 2 Commissioner Jack Allen made a motion to add an item to the agenda to vote on a candidate for the position. Each time Bias placed the item under the Discussion Items category of the agenda. The item was again placed under Discussion Items during a special called meeting on January 6, 2010.

The mediator will determine if an item for discussion must be placed on the agenda in the category or during that phase of the meeting as directed or contained in the motion being made.

Mediation in the case must be completed within 30 days from the date of the order. The mediator will file a status report within seven days of the termination or settlement of the mediation.