Thursday's Internet Edition, March 11, 2010.

“I hope to continue the success of the current commission,” Rodney Cox said. “I think we’ve done a good job of handling the business of the county, and we have a good group of elected officials. I hope folks think we’re doing a good job.”

Cox was chosen Tuesday during the commission’s annual organizational meeting. John Greathouse nominated Cox, with former president David Boothe adding the second.

Cox said his goals for 2010 included continuing improvements at Camp Sheppard, cooperating with the city of Spencer on a plan to promote tourism and beginning to lease county-owned property in Reedy that was part of a flood buyout.

A 38-year-old Walton resident, Cox works in Charleston as a financial officer for an energy company. The Democrat was re-elected to a second six-year term on the commission in 2008 and has previously served two one-year terms as president.

Fiscal responsibility will be a major priority this year, Cox said.

“With the recession and everything, we haven’t had to cut any positions or reduce anyone’s budget, and that’s a blessing,” he said. “We’ve always had a carryover and never had a deficit.”

Continuing that record will be increasingly difficult, he predicted.

“I think we’re going to be facing a shrinking budget, if not this year, as soon as next year,” Cox sa