TUSCUMBIA — Colbert County Commissioner David Black said he hopes a proposed policy for appointing board members will lead to more people offering their services to the county.

Black has provided commissioners with copies of a proposed policy that establishes more formal guidelines for board appointments.

Black approached the commission late last year after expressing concern about how the commission selects board members.

"I think it will be more inclusive and more representative across the county," Black said.

Black said the policy also would help commissioners know whom they are appointing.

His proposed guidelines include a form that requires prospective board members to provide information such as qualifications, potential conflicts of interest, and the names and relationships of immediate and extended family members employed by the county or local agencies.

Prospective board members also would be asked to list three references, excluding relatives.

Black's policy would require board vacancies to be announced and posted 60 calendar days before the current term's expiration date. Anyone interested in serving or being reappointed would have to submit an application 30 days before a board or commission term's expiration.

Following the application period, commissioners would review the applications, select the top three candidates by voice vote, then interview those three candidates.

Applicants must reside in Colbert County and depending on the board or commission, applicants cannot have any immediate family members employed under the jurisdiction of that board or commission.

Immediate family members are defined as spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter.

Under Black's policy, no person can hold a position on more than one board. If appointed to a new position, the individual would have to resign his previous appointment.

Attendance at board meetings is required and excessive absences from regularly scheduled meetings would result in removal by the commission.

Members also would be required to report annually to the commission.

"I haven't examined it in depth, but in theory it seems to make sense," District 5 Commissioner Roger Creekmore said.

Creekmore said he likes the guideline that prohibits people from serving on multiple boards. He also said it's good to inform more people about board openings.

Russ Corey can be reached at 256-740-5738 or russ.corey@TimesDaily.com.