The Jefferson County Commission was unable to convene for seven scheduled meetings spanning three months in the fall of 2023. The commission has 5 seats, one of which has been vacant since June 2023. In a political struggle over filling the vacant seat, two commissioners — Jennifer Krouse and Tricia Jackson — refused to attend commission meetings unless the action item to fill the vacancy was removed from the agenda.
Since a quorum (at least 3 commissioners) is required to conduct business, the commission was unable to approve new hires or sign contracts during this period. The standoff ended on November 30, when a local circuit judge ordered Commissioners Krouse and Jackson to attend the commission meeting scheduled for that afternoon.
Chronology of Events
September 7 2023 — Regular County Commission meeting, 4 commissioners attend.
September 21 2023 — Regular County Commission meeting, 2 commissioners attend (Stolipher, Tabb), 2 commissioners absent (Jackson, Krouse), no quorum to conduct business.
September 28 2023 — Special County Commission meeting, 2 commissioners attend (Stolipher, Tabb), 2 commissioners absent (Jackson, Krouse), no quorum to conduct business.
October 5 2023 — Regular County Commission meeting, 2 commissioners attend (Stolipher, Tabb), 2 commissioners abent (Jackson, Krouse), no quorum to conduct business.
October 12 2023 — Special County Commission meeting, 2 commissioners attend (Stolipher, Tabb), 2 commissioners absent (Jackson, Krouse), no quorum to conduct business.
October 19 2023 — Regular County Commission meeting, 2 commissioners attend (Stolipher, Tabb), 2 commissioners abent (Jackson, Krouse), no quorum to conduct business.
November 2 2023 — Regular County Commission meeting, 2 commissioners attend (Stolipher, Tabb), 2 commissioners abent (Jackson, Krouse), no quorum to conduct business.
November 16 2023 — Regular County Commission meeting, 2 commissioners attend (Stolipher, Tabb), 2 commissioners abent (Jackson, Krouse), no quorum to conduct business.
November 30 2023 — Special County Commission meeting, 4 commissioners attend. Pasha Majdi selected for temporary appointment to fill vacant seat.
Related Stories
County Commission Returns To Work (The Observer, Dec 5 2023)
Judge Orders Commissioners To Meet (Journal-News, Nov 30 2023)
Circuit Judge Confirms Validity of Petition to Remove Commissioners (Journal-News, Nov 29 2023)
Emergency Services IT Contract Expiring (Spirit of Jefferson, Nov 22 2023)
Deputies Sue County Commission (Spirit of Jefferson, Nov 22 2023)
Prosecuting Attorney Files Petition To Remove Jackson, Krouse (Spirit of Jefferson, Nov 15 2023)
Another County Administrator Resigns (Spirit of Jefferson, Nov 8 2023)
A Recap of Krouse, Jackson No-Show Protests (Spirit of Jefferson, Nov 3 2023)
County Commission Misses Grant Deadlines (The Observer, Oct 26 2023)
No-Quorum Commission Impacting County Business (Spirit of Jefferson, Oct 25 2023)
Lack Of Quorum Continues For Commissioners (Spirit of Jefferson, Oct 18 2023)
Impact of Jackson’s and Krouse’s No-Show Protest Continues (Spirit of Jefferson, Oct 11 2023)
No Shows By Jackson And Krouse Having A Financial Impact (Spirit of Jefferson, Oct 4 2023)
Stolipher, Jackson Square Off In Citing State Code (Spirit of Jefferson, Oct 4 2023)
Two Commissioners Refuse To Meet (The Observer, Sep 28 2023)
Stall Tactics on Jefferson County Commission (The Observer, Sep 28 2023)
Lack of Quorum Halts County Business (Journal-News, Sep 21 2023)
Commissioners Attempt to Repeal Zoning Ordinance (The Observer, Sep 8 2023, updated Oct 26, 2023)
Nine People Seeking Position To Replace Commissioner Ath (Spirit of Jefferson, Aug 2 2023)
Jefferson County Commission Deadlocks (The Observer, Jul 1 2023)
Ath Resigning From Charles Town Seat On Commission (Spirit of Jefferson, May 31 2023)
County Commission Begins 2023 With Many Disagreements (The Observer, Jan 25 2023)