Stafford council rescinds drainage committee appointments, will reopen process and require applications

The Stafford City Council voted to rescind earlier appointments to the Drainage, Flood Mitigation and Subsidence Committee and to re‑open the selection process to the public, requiring applications and resumes for council‑appointed committees.

The move followed public comment and council debate over whether the initial appointments had followed an expected, standardized process. Some council members and residents said the original list had been presented without the resumes or letters of interest that other city committees had required, and they raised concerns about ‘‘stacking’’ and the optics of a single council member presenting a complete slate of appointees.

Council also approved an amendment to committee bylaws to allow an expanded membership (the resolution reflected changes that would increase the membership cap to 12). After discussion, council voted to rescind the previously approved appointees and instructed the city’s multimedia director to advertise the openings and accept applications and resumes. The council invited eligible residents to appear at the first April council meeting to answer questions.

City staff and members of the public urged a standardized citywide volunteer application so future appointments follow a consistent form and process. Council members said the intention was not to criticize individual volunteers but to ensure transparency and public trust in the appointments process.

The mayor read the names of the appointees who had been removed and council encouraged them to reapply through the new standardized process. Council directed staff to publish the volunteer application and resume requirement for all council‑appointed bodies and to return with a conforming form for future use.