Texarkana City Hall seeks residents to serve on appointed panels

(Stock image)
(Stock image)

TEXARKANA, Texas -- The city has revamped its board, committee and commission application process to encourage community members to become actively involved in local government.

The new initiative includes a web page that provides descriptions of each appointed panel, along with term dates, duties, residency requirements and meeting schedules, according to a City Hall news release.

"From the Airport Board to the University Planned Development District, the recommendations provided by many of our resident boards and commissions are a very important part of the local government process. Anyone interested is invited to apply," Mayor Bob Bruggeman said.

City Manager David Orr explained the reason for the initiative.

"To accomplish our vision and mission, it takes a network of selfless volunteers who advise the city on its boards and commissions," he said.

The city has a number of Council-appointed panels, and the Council occasionally appoints ad-hoc committees for special purposes. As a part of this year's process, the city is proposing to restart Keep Texarkana Beautiful, which was organized in 2010 to promote Texarkana beautification.

Some boards, commissions and committees have residency requirements or require special skills and knowledge, while others do not. Board, commission and committee members are required to attend regularly scheduled meetings.

The city will receive applications annually from persons interested in serving, generally during the summer months. To begin the process of filling these vacancies, an altered schedule may be necessary the first year, and applications will be accepted until July 15. Applicants to boards and commissions that are currently full will be held for City Council consideration for the next available vacancy.

(A current list of each board, committee and commission, along with current appointments and openings, can be found at ci.texarkana.tx.us/370/Boards-and-Commissions. For more information, contact City Secretary Jennifer Evans at 903-798-3930 or [email protected].)

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