The Wichita County Commissioners Court on Aug. 26 appointed three county representatives to the newly enabled homelessness advisory committee after the City of Wichita Falls approved a companion resolution.

County leaders named Commissioner Jeff Watts as the commissioners-court member, Commissioner Mark Beauchamp as the county resident representative and Steve Sparks — the county judge's designated designee — to serve on the panel. The court voted 5-0 to approve the nominations.

Why it matters: The advisory committee is intended to coordinate county and city efforts on homelessness policy and implementation; county officials said they will invite additional county offices to attend meetings as issue experts and will notify commission offices of committee meetings so County representatives may be present.

The court discussed the composition and purpose of the committee: the county's three slots were specified as a member of the commissioners court, the county judge or his designee, and a county resident. Commissioners expressed confidence in the nominees and said they will work with city and community partners on next steps.

Formal action: The judge made the motion to nominate the three individuals; the motion was seconded (recorded in the minutes as seconded by Commissioner Kincannon) and approved by unanimous voice vote, 5-0. No budget appropriation or program implementation was adopted at the time of appointment.

The county noted it will provide notice of meetings to appointees and to other county offices that the committee may request to attend as implementation experts.