The Decatur County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted for Tynese L. Jones to replace DeFrance Gurley on the Recreation Authority at a special called meeting Thursday.

Jones was chosen to replace Gurley after the board concluded Gurley was not eligible to serve because he does not fulfill the requirement of being a resident of the county for at least two years.

“She has four boys and is heavily invested in their life in terms of sports,” Brinson said about Jones. “She’s been a part of their life in that regard, so I think it will be a great, great blend.”

Last Tuesday, the board voted to appoint Gurley to serve through Dec. 31, 2016, along with Jeff Lynn to serve through Dec. 31, 2017, and Brandon Conley to serve through Dec. 31, 2018.

Questions on Gurley’s residence were not brought up until after he was appointed to the Recreation Authority.

Before voting to rescind the motion to have Gurley on the Recreation Authority, Brinson apologized to the board for the mistake of appointing a non-Decatur County resident.

Brinson, who owns Classic Designs Barber and Beauty Salon, said Gurley came to his shop on a weekly basis. Though records indicate he lives in Powder Springs, a suburb of Atlanta, Brinson said Gurley was in the process of moving to Decatur County to be with his family.

Jones is an audit officer at First National Bank of Decatur County and has been a resident of Decatur County for six years. Her term on the Recreation Authority will last through Dec. 31, 2016.

Commissioner Russell Smith said the Recreation Authority was just as important as the Hospital Authority and the Industrial Development Authority, and he preferred members of the authority have children involved in the recreation system.

“I want to make the right people on there,” Smith said, making Jones the right fit.

The Recreation Authority is a result of a new service delivery agreement written in March. Three members chosen by the Bainbridge City Council and three chosen by the Decatur County Board of Commissioners will be responsible for providing recreational services throughout Decatur County, providing park services throughout Decatur County, developing, providing, maintaining and operating projects and developing and providing athletic and recreational programs, activities and services.

The Recreation Authority’s first meeting will be Tuesday, July 7, at noon at the Potter Street Community Center.