Council preparing to select board members
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

After taking applications for the first time, El Campo City Council is expected to decide on board and commission appointments during its upcoming meeting.

A total of 64 slots on 17 volunteer boards will expire at the end of June.

"The P&Z (Planning & Zoning Commission) and BOA (Board of Adjustment) are the most active boards," City Manager John Steelman told Council. "Some of these boards haven't met in years."

He told Council they have the option of combining some of the construction trades boards into a single oversight group should it choose to.

The application process has generated a lot of public interest with 14 requests to serve on the CDC board alone.

In past years, Steelman told Council last week, finding people willing to serve on the unpaid boards has been difficult.

Currently, the city is accepting applications for boards on its Website: www.cityofelcampo. org.

During its last session, Council also heard a request that any and all appointed members be required to complete state-mandated Open Meetings training.

State law requires all elected officials or appointed board members to complete a free two-hour training session on Open Meetings laws within 90 days of appointment. It is a one-time requirement.

Although there is no state penalty, Council could adopt a higher standard.

"We could adopt a resolution (requiring it)," Steelman said.

Eight of the prospective returning board members have yet to complete required state Open Meetings training. This means they have failed to comply with state law for the one to three years of their expiring term.