Murphy's Historic Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC) considered a recommendation Oct. 26 to double its members' terms from one year to two years.

The proposal, prepared by Planning Manager Stephanie Scott-Sims, would amend both Section 2.02.084(a) of the Murphy Code of Ordinances and Article II, Section 3 of the HRAC Bylaws, according to the committee's meeting agenda. If approved by the committee, the change would still need City Council sign-off.

The term-length question surfaced at the committee's Sept. 8 meeting. A staff report prepared for the Oct. 26 meeting outlined three concerns members raised:

  • A one-year term does not give members enough time to get acclimated before their term expires.
  • Reapplying and going through the Council interview process so soon after appointment is time-consuming and redundant.
  • Because the HRAC is newly established, all current members' terms expire at the same time. That could leave the committee without experienced members.

Most Murphy boards and commissions already use two-year terms, the staff report noted. The HRAC was created by ordinance adopted June 3, 2025, making it one of the city's newest advisory bodies.

Under the committee's bylaws, changing the term length requires at least five affirmative votes at a regular meeting, plus City Council approval.

The Oct. 26 agenda also listed a separate item for Chair Kendra Walden to lead discussion on developing a 2027 recommendation list. The outcomes of both agenda items were not available in public records as of publication.

The seven-member committee operates three standing subcommittees. The Cemetery Subcommittee has been working on a plan to update informational signage at Murphy-maintained cemeteries, a project the board agreed to move forward on at its July 27 meeting. The Historic Display Subcommittee manages rotating displays in city facilities, and the Research and Records Subcommittee handles archiving historic documents.

The HRAC meets quarterly on the fourth Monday of January, April, July and October at Murphy City Hall, 206 North Murphy Road.