The Gunter City Council discussed creating a Municipal Management District and agreed to bring proposed bylaws and board composition back for a decision at the next meeting.

City officials said the state comptroller’s office is pressing for the district map and paperwork: “They want it two weeks ago,” a council member said, adding the first deposit to the MDD’s account is expected in April. Council members and staff discussed converting the existing Economic Development Corporation (EDC) board into the initial MDD board so the district could begin operating immediately, with the option to amend membership or size later.

The discussion focused on board composition and legal requirements. A staff member said state law requires a minimum of four members and that board members must live inside a taxing area — either the city limits or the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Council members debated whether to include an elected official or a staff member on the board and whether those members could serve as officers.

Council members asked for a clear timeline and materials to review before the next meeting. A staff member said she would distribute the current EDC bylaws and sample bylaws from other entities to use as a base for the council to consider. “I can send you guys some proposed bylaws to be looking at before your next meeting,” she said.

At least one resident questioned whether council members on the MDD would be voting members; a council member replied the position would be voting if the council so chose. The council did not record a formal vote on forming the MDD during the discussion but set a near-term schedule to finalize bylaws and appoint an initial board.

The council’s next steps, as stated in the meeting, are receipt of EDC bylaws and sample documents from staff, council review before the next meeting, and a planned vote at that meeting to adopt bylaws and appoint the initial MDD board if the council so chooses.

The matter remains under active preparation for a formal vote at the council’s upcoming meeting.