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Parks-board appointment tabled after council learns seat must be partisan
Summary
Councilors tabled the parks-board appointment for Nancy Anderson until next month after learning the board’s ordinance requires partisan balance; members said they want to advertise openings publicly so more residents can apply.
Councilors discussed the upcoming parks-board appointment and learned from council staff that, under the parks-board ordinance and state statute language, appointments must reflect partisan balance (one Republican and one Democrat among certain seats). The council reviewed Nancy Anderson's resume (she is a Democrat and currently holds the seat) but agreed to table the appointment to give time to advertise the vacancy and allow Nancy to attend a future meeting.
"It specifically says in there that your 2 appointments, 1 has to be a Republican and 1 has to be a Democrat," one council staff member said while reading the ordinance provision, prompting members to agree that the council should open the appointment to broader public application. Several councilors said posting vacancies and using a short application process would increase public awareness and encourage more residents to apply.
A motion to table the appointment until next month was seconded and approved by roll call (one abstention recorded). Council staff said the auditor's office will keep appointment records and will work with the council to post vacancies and collect applications before the next meeting.
