Travis County Commissioners Court
January 30, 2007
Item A1
A1. Consider and take appropriate action on recommended process to fill county vacancy on animal advisory commission. This has been a vacancy of ours for a few months now, we got one recommendation and when I put it on the agenda, looked like we got as many e-mails in opposition as in support. And so last week I suggested that what we should do is maybe come up with a bit more open process and give others an opportunity to apply for it. And I sent a little outline to court members and in that outline basically I recommended what I think is an open process. So what I do not show here, but I think makes all of the sense in the world is that the city of Austin has an application that they use. I would suggest using the same application, on the same animal advisory commission. But basically we would advertise the vacancy, solicit applications from interested persons, get the applications and letters of support to sherri flemming, the county point person. Formulate 8 to 10 questions regarding the opportunity to serve, maybe a little bit about the animal advisory commission, what it does, the importance, et cetera. I think that I note that, I'm not sure, but I have in mind basically a small committee of three, nothing magical about this. But -- but the chair of the board of the chair's designee, this may well turn on time. David lurie of the city, or his designee, ms. Flemming representing Travis County or her designee. What I have in mind is them looking at the questions and if they want to do phone interviews or personal interviews they would do them, make a recommendation or recommendations to the court. We would basically see what the recommendation is or are. In my view if there's a unanimous recommendation, it's one thing. If it's like 2-1 we may want to take a slightly different course. We would decide after receiving the recommendation in support what action to take. I don't know that we can be more open than this.
>> yeah.
>> [multiple voices]
>> judge, any time line for us? In other words the process -- I don't know as far as the application, something needed as far as the application process. Pulling back, coming back to the court with a particular recommendation by just -- just kind of wondering what time lines will be set on. What did you have in your mind as far as time lines?
>> I we we ought to allow at least two weeks after we post the position. I'm hopefully going to take about a week to get the small committee constituted. Then if we post the position for a couple or three weeks, get the applications, hopefully that committee and in 10 days, two weeks can take the action. Hopefully we will be able to get this back to us in five to six weeks. I think most of the people involved in -- in animal health issues know about this vacancy, really it generated quite a bit of interest. And controversy I guess.
>> sure.
>> but --
>> but if the -- if the court approves this, then what I would do is suggest that we get a recommendation or recommendations in five to six weeks.
>> move approval.
>> second.
>> any more discussion? Usually the -- use knowledge the city's application okay, streamlining the process.
>> yes.
>> okay. All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. And I'm sure that -- that mr. Lurie and ms. Flemming will welcome this public service opportunity.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, January 31, 2007 6:55 AM