Oldsmar veterans board votes to recommend residency and veteran requirement for members

A majority of the Oldsmar Veterans Advisory Board voted unanimously Thursday to recommend that City Council amend Resolution 2024‑24 to require that members of the Veterans Advisory Board be both residents of Oldsmar and veterans.

Board members said the change is intended to ensure the advisory group represents people who live in the city and who have military experience. The board’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council; Council must approve any change to the resolution before it takes effect.

Board members discussed recent applicants who lived outside Oldsmar, including at least one from Palm Harbor and several from unincorporated neighborhoods such as Eastlake Woodlands and Forest Lakes. A board member said the review of recent applications prompted the proposal because the governing language of the current resolution does not require residency. The resolution packet, as described at the meeting, states the advisory board is composed of five regular members and two alternates but did not specify a residency requirement.

A board member moved to amend the eligibility language so that applicants must be both veterans and residents of Oldsmar; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The board chair said the board will draft the recommended amendment and forward it to City Council for consideration.

During discussion members also noted recruitment challenges: the board has received several recent applications from people who were not veterans but who are active with veterans’ causes. Members urged the community to encourage veteran residents to apply.

No precise timeline for City Council consideration was provided at the meeting.