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Clay McBride asks Vinton City Council to allow nonresident property owners on Parks and Recreation Board
Summary
Resident Clay McBride told the council his application to serve on the Parks and Recreation Board was rejected because the code requires board members to be city citizens; he asked the council to amend City Code Title 4, Chapter 116, Section 2 to allow qualified non-residents who own property or businesses in Vinton to serve and vote.
Clay McBride, a Vinton-area resident who identified himself by name and address at the June 26 Vinton City Council meeting, asked the council to review City Code Title 4, Chapter 116, Section 2 so that non-resident property owners or business owners can serve on the Parks and Recreation Board.
"My name is Clay McBride. . .I recently applied to volunteer on this board as I believe that my experience and insights can add significant value to this board and its efforts. However, my application was rejected due to the current code stating, 'the board shall consist of seven members all citizens of the city,'" McBride said. He told the council he owns commercial property and a business inside Vinton and that a portion of the property taxes and local option sales tax he pays support the parks.
McBride asked the council to consider amending the code to permit "other qualified applicants to serve and help lead our great town," and said he would like voting authority if appointed. He noted past arrangements in which ad hoc county representatives participated but did not have voting power.
Council members and staff discussed options after McBride's remarks. Members noted the council has discretion to rewrite the ordinance to change eligibility or to specify that a non-resident may be a preferred candidate based on qualifications; they also said existing ad hoc county representatives have participated without being formal voting members. Council members indicated they would "take a look" at potential code language to allow non-resident appointments or to clarify voting status if the code is amended.
The council did not take formal action on the request at the meeting; members agreed to review the code and consider drafting an amendment and next steps at a later date.
