A new board appointment policy for the city of Yazoo City’s numerous committees and boards will be implemented within the end of the year.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen presented the new policy, which will go into effect Dec. 1, to the public during its open meeting Monday afternoon.
The city council holds the right to make board appointments and may provide annual training to citizens who would like to be considered a nomination to a specific board.
“We seek to make all boards, committees and commissions representative of the city population,” said Mayor Diane Delaware. “We may remove a member who does not comply with board appointment provisions.”
The city’s new policy also states that all members of any board must be a resident of Yazoo City and not be an employee or elected official for the city of Yazoo City. Applicants must be a registered voter and must submit a completed application. All information is required to be updated regularly with the city clerk.
“A resume must be attached to the application,” Delaware said. “An applicant must be willing to undergo a background check. Applicants unwilling to participate in the interview process shall not be considered for appointment to any municipal board.”
Vacancies will be advertised six months in advance with a cut-off application date 45 days prior to the appointment.
The new policy also amends the length of service to any city board or committee. Where a term is four to six years in length, a member may only serve two consecutive terms. Where a term is three years or less, a member may only serve three consecutive terms unless otherwise established by law.
Members of any city board or committee must also follow all codes, ordinances and regulations.
“The Board of Mayor and Aldermen may remove a member from his or her board, committee or commission for failure to comply with this provision,” Delaware said.
Within the new policy, it is also required that all boards keep minutes of meetings and provide to the city clerk a copy of the official signed minutes within 15 days after the next meeting of the board.
A quarterly report must also be submitted to the city council at a regularly scheduled city board meeting.
