Branson aldermen approve ‘at‑will’ removal language for volunteer boards after adding six‑day notice

The Branson Board of Aldermen voted to approve bill 65‑22, an ordinance clarifying that appointments to city boards, commissions and committees are served “at will” and may be ended at the discretion of the appointing body, while adding a new rule that the appointee and the body they serve on must be notified at least six days before the removal request is considered.

The change was presented in a staff report by Holly Dodge, who described the amendment as a clarification of existing practice and a way to avoid creating a “public property interest” in volunteer terms that could trigger a requirement for a for‑cause public hearing. Dodge said, “This is a requested change in regards to clarification of the ability for the board when they vote on appointments… that appointment is not for the full term. It limits it to the being at will…