Consider and take appropriate action on extending the term length of Travis County appointees to the Austin/Travis County Food Policy Board and instituting new staggered terms. (Commissioner Shea)

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;" data-pasted="true"><strong>Purpose of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board</strong></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in;">The Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board (Board) advises both the Austin City Council and the Travis County Commissioners Court about ways to improve the availability of safe, nutritious, locally-grown, affordable, and sustainable food for all residents, particularly those in need. The Board was officially established through a City of Austin Ordinance. A Travis County Commissioners Court ordinance was approved soon after. The board began meeting in the spring of 2009. The purpose of the Food Policy Board is to:</p><ul><li>Address health disparities</li><li>Increase local sustainable food production</li><li>End food injustices</li><li>Ensure the community has a voice in policy decisions that support a healthy and equitable food system</li></ul><p style="margin-bottom:0in;">Travis County has one staff member who serves as County staff liaison to the Board. Right now, the County staff liaison is the Assistant Director-Sustainability, in the Transportation & Natural Resources Department (TNR).</p><p style="margin-bottom:0in;"><strong>Board Recommendation to Extend the Term Length for County-appointed Board Members</strong></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in;">The Board is composed of thirteen members. Seven members are appointed by the Austin City Council. Six members are appointed by the Travis County Commissioners Court. City-appointed board members serve for a term of four years beginning March 1 on the year of appointment, while according to the bylaws, County-appointed board members serve for a term of two years beginning in February of the year of appointment – although in practice, the Austin City Clerk’s office starts all terms on March 1.</p><p style="margin-bottom:0in;">On July 14, 2025, the Board approved a recommendation to City Council that it approve a change to the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board bylaws to increase the term length for board members appointed by the Travis County Commissioners Court to four years.</p><p style="margin-bottom:0in;">According to the Board bylaws, a bylaw amendment is not effective unless approved by the Council Audit and Finance Committee. The City Clerk’s office has outlined to TNR staff the following process for making a change to the bylaws as regards to County appointee terms:</p><ol><li>Travis County Commissioners Court should take official action to recommend a change to the bylaws;</li><li>The Board should approve the change to the bylaws as approved by Commissioners Court;</li><li>The City Clerk’s office will coordinate with the Council Audit and Finance Committee to request its approval; and</li><li>After approval by the Committee, the bylaws amendment will go to City Council for final approval.</li></ol><p style="margin-bottom:0in;"><strong>Staff Recommendation to Stagger County Appointments to the Board Based on Court Member Election Cycle