Jasper City Council Tables JEDCO Board Appointments Pending Workshop Discussion

All members of the Jasper City Council were present during Monday evening’s meeting on May 12, 2025, as discussions surrounding JEDCO board appointments were postponed for further review. Photo by Rita Shipp.

The Jasper City Council met Monday evening for a special called meeting to discuss potential changes to the board of the Jasper Economic Development Corporation (JEDCO). However, after extended discussion and procedural questions, the council voted to postpone any decisions until a future workshop can be held.

All council members were in attendance.

The agenda included consideration of both removing current JEDCO board members and appointing new members. Mayor Clark McClane proposed allowing each council member to recommend one new appointee to the board. This approach drew immediate questions from District 4 Councilwoman Angel McCroskey, who asked for clarification on why that method was being used and whether it aligned with proper procedure.

District 1 Councilwoman Mamie Horn, newly appointed to the council, expressed concern about moving forward without more information and proposed a motion to postpone the decision until the next regular council meeting on June 9. She also recommended that the council hold a workshop beforehand to allow for discussion among members and public input. The motion was seconded and passed without objection.

District 1 Councilwoman Mamie Horn, newly appointed to the council, expressed concern about moving forward without more information and proposed a motion to postpone the decision until the next regular council meeting on June 9.

During the meeting, two residents spoke during public comment, both expressing concerns about the direction and leadership of JEDCO. One speaker criticized what they described as a lack of accountability and influence by longstanding power structures. The second speaker compared Jasper’s current economic climate to neighboring communities, stating that the city has seen increased business closures while others have grown.

Also during the meeting, District 2 Councilman Bob Mayhar suggested adding three non-voting ex officio members to the JEDCO board: Jasper County Judge Mark Allen, City Manager Greg Kelly, and Beverly Holley, Director of the Jasper-Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce. No action was taken on that proposal.

While the meeting did not result in immediate board changes, it underscored rising public interest in JEDCO’s role and the need for clarity around appointment processes. The upcoming workshop, to be scheduled before the June 9 meeting, will give council members an opportunity to review the board’s structure and appointment procedures and allow the public to provide input.