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La Plata council adopts resolution shifting board and commission interviews to council-level review
Summary
Council adopted Resolution 26-33 to centralize interviews for boards, commissions and committees at the council level (closed-session interviews by the five elected officials). Supporters said it ensures alignment with strategic plans; some members warned it might deter volunteers and urged retaining ex officio or committee input.
The La Plata Town Council voted May 26, 2026 to adopt Resolution 26-33, which establishes a formal process for board, commission and committee interview and selection by the five-member council.
Councilman Johnson presented staff's draft resolution and said the document captures what Council discussed at an April 14 meeting. Proponents argued council-level interviews would ensure volunteer members align with the town's strategic plan and allow elected officials to have consistent input on appointments. "Having the five folks that represent the town on this is important," one supporter said, arguing the change mirrors practices used in other jurisdictions.
Opponents and some council members cautioned that having the five elected officials conduct interviews could intimidate volunteers and create a barrier to participation. Councilman Sampson said the current practice—where boards and commissions conduct interviews and then vote publicly—gives committee chairs and ex officio members a role; he warned that cutting them out could cause friction. "I have no problem taking somebody's application and reviewing that, but I do have a problem sitting in front of a volunteer... It's not a job," Sampson said.
Council discussed a possible format (interviews in a conference room, quorum present, ex officio members participating informally) and asked staff to clarify operational details. After discussion, Councilman Guttenberg moved to adopt Resolution 26-33 and Councilman Johnson seconded; the resolution passed on a voice vote with one 'nay' recorded (the public record did not name the dissenting member).
What comes next: The resolution requires staff to implement the council-level interview process and produce procedural details; staff will bring a clear process and notice language for applicants so they understand the council interview format.
Reporting note: Vote was by voice; the meeting record shows the motion carried and records one opposed voice but does not record a roll-call tally or name.
