It is interview season for La Plata County boards and commissions – 52 terms are expiring, and another 28 are vacant.

Spots will be open on anything from the Board of Health – responsible for oversight of the public health director – to the Long Term Finance Committee, which advises county commissioners on making savvy financial decisions.

And of course, there are spots available for experts in undesirable plants and rodents, as well as those who wish to participate in the preservation of historic buildings.

The boards and commissions, 30 in total, advise the Board of County Commissioners in some cases, or are directly responsible for oversight of certain operations in other cases.

Applicants will be interviewed by the BOCC before appointments are made.

Admittedly, it’s a big ask of citizens. Serving on a board can take up several hours each month and the volunteers are not compensated.

“This is government by the people, of the people, for the people, right? I certainly want to invite as many folks to participate as possible – it's a great way to do so,” said County Spokesman Ted Holteen, who himself serves on the Historic Preservation Review Commission.

Despite the fact that some boards have a third of their rosters empty, Holteen said all of the groups are still functional and able to complete their assigned tasks. Some roles are geographically restricted because only residents of a given district are eligible to serve on its oversight board.

Interested residents can find a full list of vacancies and apply for county boards and commissions on the La Plata County website.

rschafir@durangoherald.com