Charter review committee adds Building and Standards Commission to charter

The Lago Vista Charter Review Committee voted to add Section 7.05 to the city charter establishing a Building and Standards Commission (BSC).

Committee members acted after reviewing a written response from the city attorney’s office noting that state law and local ordinances treat the BSC as a quasi‑judicial body in some respects. Committee members said the wording is intended to flag the issue for the city attorney and city council to resolve details such as the extent of the BSC’s decision‑making authority and appeal paths.

Committee chair Linda Ayers said the first agenda item was adding section 7.05 and noted the change followed legal guidance. Committee member Robert Owen moved to add the section; the motion said, in part, "a building and standards commission is established to perform the duties and functions as required or authorized by state law, this charter in enabling ordinance." The motion was seconded and approved unanimously by the committee.

Members said the amendment is intentionally simple: it establishes the commission in the charter and leaves finer points about authority and appeals to the city attorney and, ultimately, the city council. Several members noted the city’s ordinances grant atypical authority to the BSC and that the charter language would allow counsel to clarify whether that authority is consistent with state law.

The committee did not draft detailed implementing language at the meeting; members agreed to have the city attorney provide recommended charter wording or enabling ordinance language for council consideration.

The action moves the item to the council/legal review stage, where the attorney will advise whether additional charter language or ordinance changes are required.