Over the past several weeks, the El Dorado City Council has been busy making appointments and reappointments to various city boards and commissions that help tend to city business.
However, there are still several positions open and city officials are encouraging local residents to apply for the seats to help serve their community.
Last month, the city council reappointed Gary Harrell to the El Dorado Airport Commission, which oversees operations at South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field.
Harrell served as airport manager for 30 years and FBO for 25 years before retiring in 2010.
He joined the EAC in 2016.
Also in January, council members reappointed Janice Long and Devin Patterson to the El Dorado Planning and Zoning Commission and appointed Jennifer Norwood the El Dorado Historic District Commission.
The EPZC assures that the city's zoning codes are enforced and periodically reviews and revises the codes.
Likewise, the EHDC helps to protect the historic and architectural integrity of and enforce the city ordinance that regulates the El Dorado Commercial Historic District, which covers most of downtown El Dorado.
Linda Rathbun, Sara Coffman and Diane Murfee were reappointed to the EHDC earlier this month.
On Feb. 9, the council voted to reappoint Ken Goudy, chairman of the El Dorado Parks and Playgrounds Commission, was reappointed to his post and Phoebe Sellers to her position on the City Library Board.
Andre Singleton was also reassigned to his seat on the El Dorado Works Board.
The EWB administers the city's one-cent sales tax initiative, also called El Dorado Works, that is dedicated to economic development, municipal infrastructure and quality-of-life projects.
The EWB vets proposed projects and if the board approves funding for a project, the funding request is then forwarded to the city council for consideration.
The council may accept or override a recommendation from the EWB.
During an El Dorado Water and Public Works Board meeting last week, council members appointed Jonathan Eric Moree to the Water Advisory Board, which acts as a liaison between the El Dorado Water Utilities, the Department of Public Works and the city council in regard to EWU operations.
Robert Edmonds, director of public works, said the advisory board had been looking to fill the spot for several months, adding that the five-member group has experienced difficulty convening a quorum for its monthly meetings since last August.
Water Advisory Board members are not required to live within El Dorado city limits, since EWU services extend up to approximately five miles outside the city.
Several seats remain open for local residents who are looking to volunteer for a city board or commission.
Groups that are looking to fill vacancies include the:
• El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex Commission.
• El Dorado Works Board.
• El Dorado Historic District Commission.
• El Dorado Parks and Playgrounds Commission.
• El Dorado Planning and Zoning Commission.
Mayor Paul Choate also doled out commission assignments for city council members.
• Council members Dianne Hammond and Buddy McAdams will represent the council on the El Dorado Advertising and Promotion Commission. Hammond is an existing member and former chairman of the A&P commission.
The A&P commission has seven positions that are open to four members in the tourism industry (three must be owners or managers of hotels, motels or restaurants); two members of the El Dorado City Council; and one member of the public-at-large.
• Council Member George Calloway will serve on the El Dorado Parks and Playgrounds Commission.
• Council Member David Hurst was appointed to the El Dorado Airport Commission, along with existing EAC member Council Member Vance Williamson.
• Council Member Willie McGhee will retain his positions as city liaison for the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce.
• Council Member Judy Ward will retain her spot as coordinator/moderator of the El Dorado Water and Public Works Board.
• Council Member Frank Hash will serve on the El Dorado/Union County Recreation Complex Commission.
For more information about city boards and commissions -- including term lengths, vacancies and monthly meeting schedules -- or to apply to serve, call City Clerk Heather McVay at 870-881-4877; 870-870-814-9179; or send an email to [email protected].