Fayette County Commissioners have named Harold Bost their chairman for 1999, with newly elected Commissioner Greg Dunn vice chairman.

Following swearing-in ceremonies for Dunn and Linda Wells, both of whom were elected to the commission this past November, the county's governing body began organizing itself for the new year.

After accepting the chairman's seat, Bost set the tone for the coming year. "We have a lot of work to do, so let's get down to business and move forward," he said.

The chairmanship is mostly a ceremonial position, Bost said, carrying no more authority than any other commissioner's post. "We have five commissioners of equal stature," he said. "I look forward to working with each and every one of the individual commissioners and the staff."

Bost took under advisement a proposed list of committee appointments, promising to make his own selections and then submit the nominations to the full board for a decision.

The group decided on Feb. 12 and 13 as dates for its annual planning retreat to set goals for the year. Commissioners will discuss proposed locations for the retreat during their next meeting, tomorrow at 7 p.m.

In other business during their first meeting of 1999, commissioners:

Voted to ask the county Planning Commission to send a member to each County Commission zoning hearing. Bost said he would like more communication from the planning panel when making rezoning decisions, and suggested joint meetings, but Dunn said that might compromise the Planning Commission's autonomy.

The Planning Commission is a recommending body where rezoning requests are concerned. Its recommendation, along with those of the planning staff, are passed onto the commission, which makes the final decision. "Whatever we do, I think it's important that the planning and zoning board be completely independent," said Dunn.

Increased the fee for septic tank inspections from $175 to $275, and increased the fee for inspections of the replacement after a septic system fails from $75 to $100.

The old fees didn't reflect the county's cost to conduct the inspections, said Dunn. "Our current residents are paying to hook up the sewers for the people coming in, and I don't think that's right," he said.