The Enid City Commission and the City of Enid have created the Enid Youth Council
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"The youth council has been a project I've worked on with Assistant City Manager Joan Riley and wanted to put in place for quite some time," said Ward 5 Commissioner, Tammy Wilson. "Civic responsibility is important to me and I believe instilling that in our younger generations will create an atmosphere of civically responsible adults in the future. I know Enid has several bright kids that can maybe bring a new perspective to the City Commission."
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The youth council will get suggestions for projects from City staff and will have the opportunity to make suggestions as well. "We intend to use their insight and take it seriously in regard to making Enid a better place to live," Wilson said. "I have no doubt they will deliver some thoughtful and aggressive ideas."
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Commissioner Brownlee stated, "The youth council will be a great opportunity for some of the city’s brightest students to play a role in shaping the future of the city through providing input on a variety of issues and suggestions on how to address issues we are currently facing. The City of Enid will certainly benefit from the youth council’s fresh perspective, energy and creativity."
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Current city commissioners will each appoint one youth member from their ward with the Mayor appointing a youth member at large. Appointees may be students at Enid High School, Chisholm High School, Pioneer High School, or Oklahoma Bible Academy and must be at least a sophomore or older during the 2015-2016 school year and live within the ward they will represent. The youth council will be seated at the second Enid City Commission meeting in May and will serve a one year term. If a member cannot complete their term, a subsequent member will be appointed by their respective Commission member. Meeting frequency and times will be determined by the commission and the youth council will be overseen primarily by Commissioners Wilson and Brownlee with assistance as needed from City staff.
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City Manager Jerald Gilbert said, "The Youth Council is a great idea by Commissioners Wilson and Brownlee that I wholeheartedly support. It is a wonderful opportunity to educate the youth of our City in local government and work with them on meaningful projects. It is also a chance to promote active civic involvement and future careers in municipal government."
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