Freeport council appoints Mark Parker as TIRS chairman after debate over appointment process

The Freeport City Council voted 3-2 to appoint Mark Parker as chairman of the TIRS board for a one-year term beginning Jan. 1.

Shonda Marshall, who said she has served as TIRS chair for about three years, asked the council to reappoint her and described work she and others completed preparing a packet for downtown projects. “I would like to request to remain the chairperson for the TIRS board,” Marshall said, adding she has been trying to schedule regular meetings and move projects into implementation.

City Attorney Petty told the council the appointment of the chair is a council responsibility under state law and cited the ordinance creating the zone and Texas tax code requirements. “The appointment of the chairman is, by state law, a function of city council,” Petty said. He also read the membership of the board as set in the ordinance and noted the council may clarify procedures in a future ordinance.

Councilman Matamoros moved to appoint Mark Parker as chairman for a one-year term. After discussion, the council voted 3 in favor and 2 opposed. Councilmen Davis and Pina voted no; the motion passed 3-2.

Marshall told the council she had worked with city staff and volunteers on a tourism/downtown packet and said delays in scheduling and outside events had slowed TIRS activity. She said she requested a meeting “on this upcoming Tuesday” and urged the council to allow her to continue leading the board while projects begin.

Petty said the ordinance that established the zone (ordinance number 2019-2590) requires the municipal governing body to appoint the board chair but that the council could amend local rules if it wanted the board to pick a recommended chair.

The council did not amend the ordinance at the meeting; Petty said staff could return with clarifying language if the council wished to change the selection process.

The meeting moved to other business after the vote and then to executive session for a legal consultation.