The Murphy City Council appreciates your interest in serving your community by volunteering your time to serve on one of the City's Boards or Commissions. We realize the commitment that is involved in serving in this capacity. Each Board or Commission plays a very important role in the development of your City. The City's boards are established at the desire of the City Council to carry out the functions and obligations of the City by making recommendations to Council.

City of Murphy Charter, Article VIII Boards and Commissions, Section 8.01

• Individuals who are qualified voters in the City may be appointed by the Council to serve on one or more boards, commissions, or committees.

• Appointees shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed at the discretion of the City Council, except for the members of the Board of Adjustment, who may be removed only for cause.

• Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, members of any such board, commission, or committee shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual expenses as approved by City Council.

• No officer or employee of the City or any person who holds a compensated appointive position with the City shall be appointed to any board, commission or committee created or established by state law or this Charter other than in an advisory capacity.
• Any member of a board, commission or committee who is absent from three (3) consecutive regular meetings, or twenty-five percent (25%) of regularly scheduled meetings during the twelve (12)-month period immediately preceding and including the absence in question, without explanation acceptable to a majority of the other members, shall, upon approval of the City Council, forfeit his or her position on the board, commission or committee.

For more information on the composition, duties, and powers of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment, please see the following links to the City of Murphy Charter.
City of Murphy Charter, Article IX, Planning and Zoning Commission
City of Murphy Charter, Article IX, Section 9.05 Board of Adjustment

In addition to the required qualifications, the City Council encourages Board and Commission applicants to:

• Be active voters specifically with regard to local issues
• Become familiar with the issues and understand what your role may be by attending meetings of the board you are interested in serving.

Board and Commission Appointment Process
The Board and Commission appointment process normally begins in April/May with notifying current board members whose terms are expiring and advertising for new applicants. The City Council conducts interviews in late May or June with appointments being made in June/July. The appointed board members will begin their term at the first scheduled following their appointment. Board member terms are generally staggered for two years unless you are filling an unexpired term; or at the desire of Council.

Board applications are accepted year round but applicants are encouraged to submit applications for the current appointment process prior to May 31st. Applications are kept on file in the City Secretary's Office for one year and may be submitted to Council throughout the year to fill vacancies that may occur.

Certain information submitted on the Board and Commission Application is subject to the Texas Public Information Act and may be disclosed to anyone requesting this information. The Act does allow a board member of a governmental body to choose whether to allow public access to the information in the custody of the City that relates to the home address, home phone number social security number, or that reveals whether the board member has family members. This designation can be made on the Board and Commission Application.

Board Applicants will be notified of the interview schedule as determined by City Council. Questions may be directed to the City Secretary's Office at 972/468-4011 or anemer@murphytx.org.

Board and Commission Application

Applications may be submitted to the City Secretary's Office at:

Board and Commissions Application

Board and Commission Descriptions and Meeting Times
Please carefully consider your obligation before choosing which board you would like to serve. A description of each board is included below. Please note that in addition to the regular scheduled board meetings, members may be required to attend training, work sessions, and joint meetings. It is important to have board members who are able to attend the necessary meetings to conduct business.

4A Economic Development Corporation
Five board members are appointed by the City Council in alternate years for two year terms. The Board plans and initiates projects on the City's behalf that promote new and expanded business development. The 4A Board meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Additional meetings may be necessary from time to time and will be scheduled in accordance to the Texas Open Meetings Act.

4B Community Development Corporation
Seven board members are appointed by the City Council in alternate years for two year terms. The Board plans and initiates projects on the City's behalf that promote community enhancements such as parks, related open space improvements and economic development. The 4B Board meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Additional meetings may be necessary from time to time and will be scheduled in accordance to the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Board of Adjustments
This board is comprised of seven members and four alternates who are appointed by Council for two year terms. The Board authorizes requests for variances from the zoning ordinance when it is not contrary to the public interest. Meetings are held as necessary on the third Thursday of the month with a pre-meeting work session beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the regular meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. All meetings are scheduled in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Building and Fire Code Appeals Board
The Building and Fire Code Appeals Board shall consist of five qualified members appointed by Council for two-year terms. The Board has the power to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the Building Official or Fire Official relative to the application and interpretation of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, International Energy Code, International Gas Code, International Fire Code, International Electrical Code, International Property Maintenance Code and National Electrical Code. This board will meet as needed in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. It is recommended that the Board shall consist of individual's from the following professions/disciplines and all members shall be a qualified voter of the city:

• Registered design professional with architectural experience or a builder or superintendent of building construction.
• Registered design professional with structural engineering experience or a builder or superintendent of building construction.
• Registered design professional with mechanical and plumbing engineering experience or a mechanical/plumbing contractor.
• Registered design professional with electrical engineering experience or an electrical contractor.
• Registered design professional with fire protection engineering experience or a fire protection contractor or state Fire Commission certified fire personnel.

Capital Projects Advisory Committee
The Capital Projects Advisory Committee shall consist of seven qualified members appointed by Council for two year terms. This committee will act as an advisory committee to the City Council for the purpose of reviewing priorities of existing capital projects, reviewing and prioritizing future capital projects, make recommendations to City Council on the priorities of existing and future projects, and make recommendations to City Council on future bond programs and grant applications. This board meets on the second Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Additional meetings may be necessary from time to time and will be scheduled in accordance to the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Park and Recreation Board  
Five board members are appointed by the City Council in alternate years for two year terms. The Board acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council, reviewing and making recommendations on maintenance, operation and development of the City's park and recreation services. The Park Board meets on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Additional meetings may be necessary from time to time and will be scheduled in accordance to the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Planning & Zoning Commission
Seven commissioners and two alternates are appointed by the City Council to review the Master (Future Land Use Plan) Plan and the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of the City, and to analyze matters that affect the development of the City. They are responsible to advise prospective developers as to procedures to follow and ensuring that new developments follow the Land Use Plan and the Subdivision Ordinance. Members work closely with the City Planner to guide the direction of City development. The Planning and Zoning Commission meets on the fourth Monday of each month with a pre-meeting work session at 6:30 pm. and the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Additional meetings may be necessary from time to time and will be scheduled in accordance to the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Public Events Advisory Committee
The Public Events Advisory Committee shall consist of seven qualified members appointed by Council for two-year terms. This committee will act as an advisory committee to the City Council for the purpose of making recommendations to the City Council on future City-supported public events, provide such assistance as may be directed by the City Council or City Manager towards City-supported events, and hold at least one meeting every three months and as many meetings as it deems necessary to transact the business of the committee. This board meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm. Additional meetings may be necessary from time to time and will be scheduled in accordance to the Texas Open Meetings Act.