City officials can't do — or know — everything. That's why Crestview's assorted city committees, staffed by generally unpaid volunteer experts, advise the mayor, city clerk, department heads and councilmen.
CRESTVIEW — Before Okaloosa County commissioners settled on an exterior façade for the new courthouse, Crestview’s Historic Preservation Board vetted the designs.
While the board may not make policy or create ordinances, its members’ knowledge in regional historic architecture and community design is respected, and its input is valued.
Crestview’s 11 boards and committees provide city and — occasionally, county — officials with technical expertise in specific subject areas with which city staff may need assistance.
“It’s so important that our citizens get involved, and we’re so appreciative of those who step up to lend their professional experience to the city,” Mayor David Cadle said.
FORMING PARTNERSHIPS
In some instances, cooperative partnerships with citizen or business organizations provide specialized public services without taking resources from hard-pressed city departments and officials.
One example is the city’s ongoing centennial celebration, Cadle said, in which resident and business volunteers, headed by retired Supervisor of Elections Pat Hollarn, are producing a year-long program of events.
“That is a volunteer group, along with the Main Street Association, that is pulling off great events,” Cadle said. “The (April 16) city birthday event was truly impressive. County officials told me later they were impressed with our city’s organizational skills and community involvement.”
Similar partner organizations include the Main Street Crestview Association and the Crestview Area Sister City Program for its educational and cultural events.
ADVISORY CAPACITY
Few of the city’s committees and boards actually make policy or official decisions, City Clerk Betsy Roy said, but all provide expert advice to the mayor, City Council and department heads.
“They’re for specific reasons, so they’re pretty much their own thing,” Roy said. “They’re in an advisory capacity.”
Two of the boards, the Technical Review Committee and the Planning and Zoning Board — also known as the Local Planning Agency — have limited powers to implement decisions, Roy said.
“They can deny applications, and the Technical Review Board, in particular, makes sure plans are in compliance before they come to the council,” she said. “Some things, like small project plans, just go to the LPA. They don’t have to go to the council.”
Technical Review is the only advisory board comprised entirely of city officials, including department heads.
Committees generally comprise mayoral and City Council appointees, whose professional knowledge and experience is vetted before appointment.
“We put people on boards that have expertise in the areas the board covers,” Cadle said.
GLAD TO SERVE
Serving on city committees allows residents to contribute to their community, board members and officials say.
Historic Preservation Board member Cal Zethmayr said the committee members’ rewards are tangible, visible in landmarks such as the new courthouse to be built in two years.
“Just in knowing we’re going to be able walk up Main Street and see that new building in two years, and we were involved in it, is rewarding,” he said.
One of the board’s biggest battles, saving the historic Alatex Building from demolition, has paid dividends for the city as the home of a Florida A&M University satellite pharmacy school, Zethmayr said.
“Our volunteer citizen board and committee members bring more energy and understanding to the governmental process,” Cadle said. “The city couldn’t operate affectively without them.”
“We’re doing things that are good for the community,” Zethmayr said. “And we enjoy doing it.”
City of Crestview boards and committees, mostly comprising citizen volunteers, advise officials in a variety of areas. Current committees and their meeting dates are:
●Board of Adjustment: meets as needed
●Code Enforcement Board: as needed; second Tuesdays
●Crestview Housing Authority: fourth Mondays
●Downtown Development Committee: as needed
●General Employees Retirement Board: quarterly; first Tuesdays
●Historic Preservation Board: quarterly; fourth Thursdays
●Planning and Zoning (Local Planning Agency) Board: third Tuesdays
●Police/Firefighters Retirement Board: quarterly; first Tuesdays
●Recreation Advisory Committee: as needed
●Technical Review Committee: comprises city department heads; first Tuesdays
●Veterans' Affairs Committee: as needed
CITY COMMITTEES
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview citizen committees provide specialized expertise