Community Development District 1 chairman Bill Mapel has resigned, apparently due to health reasons, and the board began Friday to seek a replacement.
Applications must be submitted by March 3 and the board will review the applicants at its March 13 meeting. The board decided not to advertise in the newspaper, but to rely on publicity and notices at postal stations.
District manager Janet Tutt said in the past districts would allow the departing supervisor to choose a successor who shared their political philosophy. She said the board also simply could appoint the new supervisor.
But Ellen Cora, who was elected chairwoman at the meeting, said she wanted to pursue a more democratic approach to find a successor to fill the two years remaining on Mapel’s term. Supervisor Kathy Porter was elected vice chairwoman.
“I personally think we should open it up to the district and let anyone who’s interested apply,” Porter said.
Cora said two people have asked her about serving on the board and there were two unsuccessful candidates in the November election who may be interested.
In other business:
- District property manager Sam Wartinbee announced 13 villa neighborhoods throughout the community will receive road resurfacing this spring.
- The district and other district boards meeting Friday approved a public participation policy that allows them to limit audience speakers to three minutes and to ask groups to designate a spokesperson.
- The board received its financial report for the last fiscal year ending Sept. 30, which showed assets of $17.9 million, a combined fund balance of $1.3 million and $745,174 available to spend.
