SRBA

Sandefur should be given a chance to solve board’s problems

It was pretty much a given that changes would be happening with the Sulphur River Basin Authority's Board of Directors. But to what degree may be a bit much. The Sunset Advisory Commission is authorized by the Legislature to review all the state's 18 water districts on a regular basis. Their recent review of SRBA cited a lack of transparency, poor communications and questionable competency that led to a lack of trust by stakeholders in the district's water rights.

Following the scathing review, SRBA Board President Mike Russell stepped down. He was replaced as board chief with Texarkana businessman Mike Sandefur, who had stepped in and helped bring Texarkana College back from the brink just a couple of years before.

Two other members joined the board in 2016 as well, and are not responsible for the controversy that has plagued the body in recent years.

On Monday, the Sunset commission adopted several recommendations for SRBA. They include hiring an executive director, seeking local investment, seeking bids on the next phase of a feasibility study and taking steps to improve transparency.

The commission adopted another of their recommendations—that all current members of the SRBA board be replaced by 2017.

We agree that veteran members should step down—voluntarily or otherwise. But we think Sandefur and the two other members who joined the board this year should get a chance to work on solving the issues facing SRBA.

Sandefur has a fine track record. We saw the work he and TC President James Henry Russell did at the college. They did a great job.

We think Sandefur's dedication, hard work and expertise could do a lot for the SRBA, as well. His current term is up in 2021. Even if he has to step down with the others next year, he can still be reappointed.

The Legislature still has to approve the Sunset commission's recommendations. We expect that will happen, but we hope Sandefur is given the chance to continue service with SRBA.