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Glenn named Williamson's first female board chairman

BY JOHN D. HOMAN, THE SOUTHERN

Monday, December 1, 2008 10:25 PM CST

MARION - When Tracey Glenn accepted the nomination for Williamson County Board chairwoman from Brent Gentry on Monday, she made history.

Glenn is the first female to hold the position.

"I'm honored," she said. "I've grown up in an era where women did things. It's hard for me to comprehend that I am making history in Williamson County. I had to stop myself and say, 'Yeah, I guess I am.'"

Glenn said she doesn't fancy herself as a pioneer blazing a new trail for women.

"I'd like to think I bring experience to the table and am an asset to this board," she said.

Gentry said he's proud of what the board accomplished the last two years while serving as chairman, including decreasing workers' compensation claims, as well as creating an anti-nepotism policy, a county-wide cleanup effort and an early retirement health insurance plan.

The board also approved an $11.4 million budget for the 2009 fiscal year. Glenn said salary increases and a partial bailout of the domestic violence program, which lost federal funding, accounted for a slight increase in the budget.

"Williamson County ranks fourth in the state in the number of domestic violence claims," Glenn said. "We couldn't afford to see the program dropped."

The board also approved a motion from new commissioner Ron Ellis to order an audit of the Public Building Commission for the last two years. The Marion accounting firm of Powless, Meyer and Hudgens will conduct the audit.

State's Attorney Charles Garnati, who represents the board, said he is not aware of the county board ever before ordering an audit of the PBC.

"The board can do so at its discretion," he said.

Gentry said he had already established communication with PBC Chairman John Goss in regard to an audit last summer and fully expects the commission to comply with the county's request.

john.homan@thesouthern.com / 351-5805