August 15, 2023 |
Photo – WY Association of Municipalities Logo – Courtesy wyomuni.org
The mayor of Saratoga wants to limit the power of town council members on boards and committees.
In Saratoga, the town’s various boards are staffed with volunteers chosen by the town council. To ensure the town knows what is going on with the boards a council member is selected to act as a liaison. Council liaisons sit on the boards and have a say in policy discussion. The liaison can also cast tiebreaking votes.
During the August 1st Saratoga town council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis said he was working with Town Attorney Kylie Waldrip on an ordinance change. Mayor Davis said the Wyoming Association of Municipalities recommends that council members not have a say in board decisions.
Mayor Davis made it clear that he wasn’t singling out Councilwoman Kathy Beck and the town’s Recreation Commission. Earlier in the same August 1st meeting, a member of the public accused Councilwoman Beck of abusing her power on the recreation board by approving purchases without council approval.
Mayor Davis said removing the ability to vote from the council liaison may eliminate the appearance of impropriety. The mayor said the ordinance change will require the council liaison to be treated like any other member of the public.
Mayor Davis said each board will elect a member from among themselves to provide reports to the town council. The mayor said having a board member update the town will take the responsibility of attending every meeting off of the council liaison. Mayor Davis said he’s still working with Attorney Waldrip on the ordinance.
Mayor Davis said his ordinance change isn’t in response to a particular complaint or incident. The mayor said it is meant to bring the town into compliance with WAM recommendations. Mayor Davis said he’ll present the council with the completed ordinance when Attorney Waldrip has finished her review.
