Here is a sample of some of the proposed changes to the Haywood County Manager Jack Horton’s job description:

Old: Manager directs county operations.

New: Manager directs county operations “under the direction and control of the board of county commissioners.”

Old: Manager develops policy and position papers.

New: Manager develops policy “recommendations” and position papers “for submission to the board of commissioners.”

Here are some proposed additions to the job description:

Addition: Media releases referencing county commissioners should be shared with commissioners prior to dissemination.

Why: A press release on a controversial issue last year reflected Horton’s view but misrepresented the commissioners’ position.

Addition: Information presented to the board should be “impartial and even-handed, and include pros and cons of each option.”

Why: Horton, according to some commissioners, would steer the board by editing the information they received on an issue.

Addition: Manager must make commissioners aware of matters that may come before the board or be the subject of media or public interest.

Why: Commissioners two years ago were blindsided by a volunteer board showing up at a commissioners meeting upset that Horton forgave $76,000 of the board’s funds that had been misappropriated. The matter had been brewing for several months but Horton had not told the board, only the chairman at the time Bill Noland.

Addition: Information presented to the board must be accurate, relevant and timely.

Why: When commissioners wanted to extend tax relief to flooded business, Horton warned them the county’s fund balance was low, scaring at least one fiscally conservative commissioner. It turned out the fund balance was actually higher than it had been in past years.