Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Teton County Commissioner Hank Phibbs last week took over chairmanship of the board of county commissioners, marking the departure of Commissioner Andy Schwartz from the post. 

This is the first time Phibbs, a longtime valley attorney elected a county commissioner in 2006, has chaired the county  board. While commissioners usually select a new chair at the start of every calendar year, Schwartz’s most recent term lasted two years. 

The chairman of the board is supposed to conduct meetings in accordance to rules and protocol, and also guides agenda setting, said Jan Friedlund, the county administrator. 

But while the board chair is charged in part with setting the pace and controlling the tone of a public meeting, including allowing or limiting public comments, the title does not lend the seat real power over the board, as is the case with the so-called strong-mayor form of municipal government.

“The operation of county government takes all five of them,” Friedlund said. “It’s a bigger administrative workload, but as it relates to power there isn’t any real difference.”

The chairman traditionally weighs in on an issue only after the other four commissioners speak, and usually is less outspoken by some degrees while in the role. 

“Part of the job when you’re running the meeting is you don’t participate as much,” Phibbs said following his first meeting as chair last week. “It’s very much a different perspective. I’m happy to do it.”

Schwartz, meanwhile, said county watchers may “notice a difference in [his] approach” at county meetings.

Commissioner Ben Ellis was elected vice-chair, taking over the position from Leland Christensen, himself a former board chairman. PJH