Wednesday’s meeting took place after Temple voters approved the formation of the district in a November election, and the appointment of a seven-member board by the Temple City Council in December.
The first part of the meeting included discussion by Temple City Attorney Jonathan Graham about open meetings, conflicts of interest and other related issues.
The district is a “special district” and a political subdivision of the state, according to Graham. Its jurisdiction is the city limits, he said.
The Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act also were covered in the meeting. As a subdivision of the state, the bioscience board is subject to the Public Information Act and Open Meetings Act.
Board members were briefed on what the district and its board of directors can do. Those include property ownership (right to purchase, lease or sell property), ability to enter into contracts, establish fees for use of district property, and purchase equipment, supplies or services. The entity can also establish projects or create a non-profit corporation.
