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Council delays permanent AEDC appointments, opts to keep temporary board through search process
Summary
After debate about election timing and continuity for selecting an AEDC director, councilmembers agreed to maintain the current temporary Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) board and defer permanent appointments until the search-firm selection or post-election action can be completed.
The Amarillo City Council discussed whether to appoint permanent members to the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) board or keep the current temporary membership through the search process and upcoming municipal elections.
City Secretary Mrs. Coggins reviewed applicable municipal code requirements, noting that board members generally serve staggered three-year terms and that applicants should be residents of Potter or Randall County and registered voters.
Councilman Josh Craft said he was ready to step down from the AEDC board but supported remaining temporarily to complete the committee's work to select a search firm. "I'm ready to come off," he said, "but I think continuity on the search-firm selection would be beneficial."
Other councilmembers voiced the opposite view, urging a full permanent board placement to avoid a temporary arrangement during a political season. After discussion about the May 3 election and the timeline to select a search firm and hire a director, council decided to take no action at this meeting and to keep the temporary board in place until either the search firm selection is complete or the newly seated council chooses to act.
The city staff reported there were 54 applicants for AEDC openings; the city confirmed voter registration for applicants and noted a small number had been ruled ineligible for residence or registration requirements.
The mayor asked that groups of former AEDC members who wish to speak first bring concerns to the chair of the AEDC and allow the board to consider them before requesting a special council presentation. Councilmembers also said staff should return with any timing details required to finalize appointments when the search-firm process concludes.
Outcome: Council took no action on permanent AEDC appointments at the meeting and maintained the temporary board status quo pending further work by the search committee and the election cycle.
