Julia Pierce | August 19, 2026

On January 13, 2026, the Marion County Board of Commissioners held a county meeting that started at 5:15 PM.

Had I not requested the handwritten notes by the county clerk of the meeting minutes, none of us would have known what was discussed in the executive meeting that was called by Marshall Fontaine, Marion County Commissioner of the Board of Commissioners.

On May 7, 2026, I performed an open records request with the Marion County Manager’s clerk, Heather Wright, asking for handwritten notes from the meeting for January through March of 2026, and for the notarized affidavit for each executive session that was called.

Heather Wright provided them to me on May 8, 2026.

What I found interesting is that George Neal signed the meeting minutes indicating that he swore that what was covered was true to the best of his knowledge, the day they were returned to me, which was May 8, 2026; not on the day that the executive session was called.

Does that mean they violated the Open Records Act by creating documentation that wasn’t in existence to fulfill my request?

What is further interesting is that County Manager, Connie Harris also signed these documents, which means that both she and George Neal were aware that they signed an affidavit that stated that the executive session was called for personnel reasons and that they worked together to create this document the day after I requested it.

I personally think that personnel matters should be handled publicly since those personnel are appointed or hired by our commissioners with our authority and I don’t know why they would need to discuss these things outside of the hearing and visibility of the Marion County taxpayers.

The handwritten notes by Heather Wright reveal what was allegely discussed in the executive session.

Pay attention to how the things discussed in the executive session were noted by Heather Wright as follows:

• Julio spoke on Rec and sports
• *Look into Election year – if Georgina can serve out term

This executive session to discuss two items, took one and a half hours – from 5:32 PM to 7:03 PM. Why did Julio report about Rec and Sports in a closed-door meeting? Why would they need an executive session to discuss if Georgina could serve out Phyllis’ term?

Additionally, pay attention to the agenda with Heather’s handwritten notes. The BOC discussed multiple things that were not on the official meeting minutes that would be viewable by the public. Those topics are as follows:

• Mr. Gene Allen – the county’s auditor – and Mr. David Benefield spoke on moving forward, but the lined notes page indicates that this was in regard to the audit that was behind for 2023 and 2024 that I had brought to light. Those notes indicate that he would let the BOC know if he needed anything.
• Increasing the amount to be paid for qualification fees by those seeking office to increase to 3$ of the salary they would be making.
• Election board personnel of which no election board personnel issues were discussed.
• Tax Commissioner personnel, which discussing if Georgina can serve as the next tax commissioner is not personnel related to the Tax Commissioner, which was Phyllis Blocker at the time and discussing what could be shoeing in an employee to an electable position would not be personnel based.

Are the commissioners operating a smoke and mirrors operation? Why are they not being transparent with what they actually speak about in the meeting? Why are the discussing things that should be made public in closed-door meetings? What else are they discussing behind our backs?

What are your thoughts?

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