VISTA volunteer Lynmarie Knight hosted a meeting of the Pocahontas County water resources task force on April 28 at the Hillsboro Library. Knight hoped to make progress on the organization and purpose of the group.

After a 30-minute social period, 17 area residents discussed a broad range of ideas before the group reached consensus on a purpose and structure for the group.

County coordinator Jay Miller (not in his official capacity), of Seebert, and Beth Little, of Hillsboro, helped lead the discussion.

The group reached consensus on the following purpose statement:

"The purpose of the Water Resources Task Force is to serve as an advisory group (to the county commission) toward the development of a county water resources plan.ﾠ The task force will provide input and direction to the commission, enlisting local participation of all concerned stakeholders."

The group also agreed on a proposed structure for the task force.

A water resources advisory board will consist of all interested citizens and agencies and hold authority for task force decisions. A task force coordinator, envisioned as a VISTA volunteer, will work directly for the advisory board. A steering committee will be formed, consisting of one or more members from each commission district, appointed by their respective county commissioner. Other committees will be formed, as necessary. All committees will fall under the authority of the task force coordinator.

The task force will conduct community outreach meetings to inform the public, receive public input and identify potential steering committee members. The first meeting will be conducted May 12 at 6 p.m. at the Green Bank Library. The second outreach meeting will be held May 27 at 6 p.m. at the Linwood Library.

Knight updated the county commission on task force progress on May 4.

The task force will present nominations for the steering committee to the county commission at its meeting on June 1.