UPDATE: Stanislaus County leaders nix election process for Denair, south Modesto MACs
Stanislaus County supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday evening to approve an appointment process for placing members on the South Modesto and Denair municipal advisory councils.
The nine municipal advisory councils in the county are the eyes and ears for county government in unincorporated communities and neighborhood areas. The councils may also offer opinions about development projects, city growth or the quality of public services.
Council members have been chosen by election, and some councils struggle to find people to serve, so county leaders have now changed the bylaws of four MACs in favor of a simple appointment process.
Rebecca Harrington, a South Modesto MAC member, said Tuesday evening appointments will help ensure south Modesto has a functioning advisory body.
Some people serving on the councils have said the members should be elected or else the council seats could be filled by political allies of county supervisors.
The county will use the appointment process for four MACS — South Modesto, Denair, Valley Home and Knights Ferry.
Salida, Wood Colony, Empire, Hickman and Keyes will still have elected council members.
This story was originally published November 16, 2021 at 5:32 AM.
