South Fulton commission deadlock ends as quorum restored, new commissioner appointed after weeks of uncertainty

(Editor's Note: This story covers the South Fulton City Commission discussion meeting held June 18 and a special called meeting held June 30.)

After nearly two months of governmental gridlock, the South Fulton City Commission has regained its ability to conduct business following an unexpected development that restored a quorum and allowed the appointment of a new commissioner.
The breakthrough came during a special-called meeting at 8 a.m. Tues., June 30, when Commissioner Cody Cassacker rescinded the resignation he submitted June 9. Because his resignation had never been formally accepted by the commission due to the lack of a quorum, he remained a commissioner under Tennessee law and was legally able to return to his seat.
With Mayor Kent Greer and vice mayor Billy Williams also present, the commission reached the three-member quorum necessary to conduct official business for the first time since Commissioner Jake Clapper resigned in April.
The commission's first order of business was appointing South Fulton resident Chuck Seratt to fill the Ward 1 vacancy created by Clapper's resignation. Seratt was approved by a 2-0 vote of Greer and Williams. Cassacker was present but did not vote, this is allowed as the meeting met all quoaum requirements.
Following the meeting, Seratt was officially sworn into office, restoring the commission to four members and allowing the city to begin addressing business that had been delayed for weeks.
Cassacker left the meeting immediately after the vote. It was not immediately known whether he submitted another resignation after rescinding the previous one.
The June 30 meeting effectively resolved the issue discussed extensively during a June 25 special-called informational meeting, when city officials explained that the commission could not legally accept Cassacker's or Commissioner Tommy Pruett's resignations because there was no quorum.
During that meeting, City Attorney Kirk Moore explained Tennessee law requires both the submission and acceptance of a resignation before it becomes final.
"They cannot become complete or final, which would then allow the commission to declare a vacancy in their seats," Moore said.
Moore outlined the city's charter, explaining that once a quorum was restored, the commission could appoint one replacement commissioner before additional vacancies would require a special election.
Mayor Greer had repeatedly urged Cassacker and Pruett to attend one final meeting solely to restore a quorum and appoint Seratt.
"The only thing that will be on the agenda is appointing Mr. Surratt to fill this seat," Greer said during the June 25 meeting. "That is our number one priority right now... where we can start moving the city forward."
Greer also warned the city's inability to conduct business had placed approximately $496,493 in remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding at risk and delayed numerous city matters.
"It's tough, especially if we've got to turn the bulk of that ARPA money back," Greer said.
Moore clarified the concern, telling those in attendance, "We're at a risk of losing it."
During the June 25 meeting, Greer detailed multiple unsuccessful attempts to persuade Cassacker and Pruett to attend a meeting long enough to appoint Seratt.
"I've done everything I can to make it easy, and it's still not working," Greer said at the time.
Seratt had attended three previous commission meetings expecting to be appointed, only to see each meeting canceled.
 South Fulton resident Kathye Stem thanked city officials for their persistence during the impasse.
"I knew the past two months had been very stressful," Stem said. She thanked Greer and Williams "for doing everything they could to get the city back on track."
Stem also thanked Seratt for remaining committed throughout the prolonged process.
"I feel sure you had no idea it would be such an ordeal," she said.
With Seratt now serving as the Ward 1 commissioner, the South Fulton City Commission once again has enough members to conduct routine city business that has remained on hold for nearly two months, including financial matters and other agenda items delayed by the lack of a quorum. The commission is also expected to address the status of Pruett's resignation and continue work on obligating nearly half a million dollars in remaining ARPA funds before federal deadlines.