Cookeville City Council has adopted a new procedure so citizens can apply for appointment to various city boards and commissions.
City Manager James Mills said the city has not had a formal procedure for involving residents. Mills said the new policy will consist of a single standard application to be used for all boards and commissions. A separate application form will be required for each board that the citizen is interested in serving for. Mills said the city will keep applications on file for seven years.
“This will provide a pool for the council to choose from, but you are not mandated from that pool,” Mills said. “As you know, it’s often difficult to find people to serve on some of the boards and commissions that we have.”
The city’s goal with the procedure is to be transparent with the public and give the council guidance on the submission, review, and retention of applicants.
“I also want to acknowledge Councilman Walker’s role on this,” Mills said. “He spent quite a bit of time helping prepare the policies and procedures that are existing to be adopted tonight.”