For about nine months, the Council has worked through creating a new Utility Advisory Committee. The board was approved on March 18, but it has taken longer to determine how the applicants would be chosen and what forms they would need to complete. Follow that link to learn more of the UAB's history.
 
Unlike any other city board or commission, UAB members will serve three-year terms and be selected by the Council as a whole. While the initial members will be selected for staggered terms, future members will probably serve longer than the council members that chose them.
 
The anticipation is that the Board will always be protected from politics and will have the time to develop the expertise needed to serve the Council, the city, and the citizens in this vital role.
 
There will be four classes of board members:

• A residential GP&L customer
• A commercial GP&L customer
• Three professionals from engineering, law, business, or similar field
• Two members with power-generating industry experience

Applicants can apply for one or more classes. I wouldn't be surprised if there aren't a few Garland residents that qualify for all four.
 
Applications must be received by July 1, with terms probably starting in August, possibly sooner.
 
For more information or to apply, follow the instructions on this page at the city's website.
 
If this sounds like a role that you could fill and you want to be of service to the citizens of Garland, I heartily encourage you to apply!