Instead, Commissioner Russ Boles, who is spearheading the committee, used the agenda item to provide an update.
“Nothing has changed from my original intent,” Boles said. “I'm not looking for a long, drawn-out conversation today from the court or anything like that. ... My sole purpose is that it is still on my agenda.”
The formation of the committee was first pitched by Boles in August after renewed cries for the statue to be relocated off the Georgetown Square, but it has since been delayed due to other pressing matters such as COVID-19 case spikes and vaccination plans, the 2020 election and the Texas winter storm, he said.
Now that much of that is under control, Boles said he would like the committee to be formed in the next 30-45 days, which would be late April to early May.
“I know the court has been busy, and we continue to be busy,” Boles said. “But I do think it is something that we need to discuss sometime.”
Boles' initial pitch for the committee was to have 15 members evaluate the history and potential options for a relocation, if the court chooses. The formation of the committee does not guarantee the statue will be removed or relocated, he said. Instead, the court will make a decision upon receiving more information provided by the committee members.
On March 23, he said he will likely reduce the committee size to 10 members.
Due to the high sensitivity of the topic, many public commenters suggested the committee be composed of local historians who can be found at area universities and colleges. Each commissioner will be expected to nominate at least two individuals for the committee from their jurisdictions when the item is brought back on the agenda, Boles said. He added the committee would be responsible for providing information and not necessarily making a recommendation.
