The Brown County Water Improvement District #1 (BCWID) recently received the resignation of long-time director Stuart Coleman and is now facing the challenge of appointing a replacement. Coleman’s resignation was officially accepted by the board of directors “with great regret” at a special called meeting Friday.
Coleman had served a total of 40 years, which according to BCWID General Manger Dennis Spinks were not continuous years due to having served on the state’s Water Development Board for several years.
“We probably wouldn’t be where we are without Stuart Coleman as a director,” said Spinks during Friday’s meeting of the BCWID board of directors.
Spinks explained that the board has 60 days from the acceptance of Coleman’s resignation to appoint a replacement, and five candidates have approached the board for consideration. In the past, the board has had to develop a list of possible candidates and then go and personally ask, and “sometimes beg” them to serve, according to Spinks.
“We have had five candidates that came to the board and the problem is that each and every one of them are good candidates. It has become a problem for the board to pick one, it’s not easy in any way,” said Spinks.
Spinks stated that the five candidates include former Brownwood Mayor Bert Massey, Jimmy Jones, Dr. Chris Stephens, Steven Wilson, and Vanessa Stewart Gordon.
Board President Mark Campbell agreed that replacing Coleman is not an easy task.
“He’s irreplaceable. It’s sure been an honor to serve with him the past 12 years,” said Campbell. “I’ve learned a lot from him – how to lead and how to conduct yourself. I’ve got a lot of respect for him.”
Campbell also stated that choosing a replacement is difficult, not only because of how much Coleman has meant to the board, but because there are so many good candidates to choose from.
All 5 were given a short interview and according to Campbell, the board has discussed the five and is still in the position to take someone new, but they have not made a decision.
Spinks explained that if the board does not appoint someone within 60 days, the members of the district can petition the board to appoint someone. If an appointment is still not made within 90 days, then the Texas Water Code gives the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) power to appoint a replacement board member. Also because BCWID has five outstanding bonds issued by the state’s Water Development Board, it is required that the BCWID have a full board of five directors.
“If TCEQ appoints a director, that may not be the best choice because they are not familiar with the citizens of Brown County, of who is legally able to and qualified to serve on the board,” said Spinks. He stated that he expects the board to come to a decision sometime soon.
“There’s no way to fill his (Coleman’s) shoes, but with these five candidates I think we can find someone who at least will not have to walk in his shadow,” said Spinks.
Spinks explained that the five candidates all have a big interest in the future of Brown County and any one of them will bring someone beneficial to the district that is interested in securing a long-term water supply to Brown County.
Two board members, Mark Campbell and Ted Simpson will be up for re-election in May 2014. Spinks stated that no matter who the board appoints to Coleman’s position, the other candidates “should not despair, but campaign for election in May.”
