Bearden named next Chairperson for Shelby County Commission

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The Shelby County Commission has a new Chairperson. During Monday night’s meeting, a resolution was approved to appoint Commissioner Elwyn Bearden as the next Chairperson effective Nov. 12 and Commissioner Robbie Hayes will continue as as Vice Chairperson. 

Bearden is Commissioner for District 5 and was appointed to the Commission in 2012 to fill the vacancy left after his uncle Joel Bearden passed away. 

Commissioner Jon Parker has served as Chairperson for the past three years. 

Some of the responsibilities of the role include signing all documents and checks, attending functions and being on various boards. 

“You have to do a good bit more as chairman,” Parker said. “You’re responsible for a lot more. Elwyn is going to do a great job and is very level headed and a businessman.” 

The commission voluntarily rotates who will be chairperson every few years, but must have served a full term before being appointed to the position. 

“There are so many moving parts to Shelby County, there’s no way someone could come in their first term and be chairperson,” Parker said.

In some counties, the Probate Judge serves as the Chairperson, and Shelby County was once that way, but a legislative act changed that many years ago.

Parker has served on the commission since 2004, and is the second senior member behind Lindsey Allison. When he was elected at age 32, he was the youngest member on the commission. He said he has enjoyed his time as Chairperson and said it was a great experience. 

Also during the meeting, Randy Cole shared in the county engineer’s report that the county received a good report from the state’s audit of the county’s bridges and commended Tommy Jones for the job that he does as Shelby County Bridge Inspector. 

Resolutions approved include:

  • A wood chipping bid to Con-Site services. 
  • Two bids to purchase ballistic vests and stab resistant vests for the Shelby County Sheriff’s office
  • A transfer of beer and wine licenses for Carter’s Convenience Group 

The next Shelby County Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 8:30 a.m. since Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day.