At its recent study session, the Elbert Board of County
Commissioners focused on becoming more educated on major
development projects.
Up for discussion at the Feb. 9 session was the Bandera East and
West project.
The session was not a public hearing and was not recorded, but
it was open to the public to attend. The only restriction was that
members of the public could not make comments for the record.
Chairman of the board Hope Goetz said the public would have to
hold any questions regarding the subject at the session to be heard
at the actual public hearing.
“People can write down their questions during the session and
have them ready for the next public meeting,” she said.
During scheduled study sessions, the board will be educated on
major projects from all departments involved to allow for a more
informed decision when it comes time for the public hearing. The
study session also allows the commissioners to ask more
questions.
“It gives us the ability to ask questions that we might not be
able to in a public setting because of the time factor,” Goetz
said. “We are not restricted by time in the study sessions.”
Commissioner Del Schwab agreed with Goetz and said in the public
hearing setting, the board is unable to ask a variety of people
questions at once, like they can in a study session.
“The fire department, the sheriff’s office, public health and
other departments that may be impacted by the project are
accessible in the study session and are ready to answer any
questions we may have,” he said.