West End Opportunity Partnership’s Interim CEO and Board Leadership UrgeGeneral Assembly to Reaffirm Its Support of SB259
LOUISVILLE, KY April 9, 2024 – Kentucky's General Assembly created the West End Opportunity Partnership in 2021 to support economic revitalization in West Louisville. The Board is composed of institutional representatives and representatives from each of the nine neighborhoods in West Louisville. All Board members are peers – with the same duties and obligations. Since The Partnership’s inception, the twenty-one (21) member board has dedicated itself to accomplishing its objectives by working cooperatively, on the principle of peer equality.
In September 2023, the Board Development Committee proposed a revised process for identifying new members listed under KRS 65.503(f)(1). Our governing statute’s (KRS 65.503(4) requirement for “self -perpetuation” of Board appointments necessitated the proposal. That is, after the terms of service of the first round of appointees in the subject category, some of whom were appointed to the Board by the Governor, the Board must design a process by describing how such appointments will be made going forward. By a vote of ten (10) to two (2), the full Board adopted the revised process put forward by the Board Development Committee, and this new process was inserted into The Partnership’s Bylaws pursuant to the Board’s vote and were revised accordingly
This new board process mirrors the process adopted by the Board for determining how neighborhood representatives would be selected, requiring at least two nominees for the appropriate categories of institutional designees. Having a process that is equitable and honors the decision-making authority of the Board regarding nominations and elections is fundamentally necessary in maintaining equity, confidence, the integrity of the decision-making process, and it ensures a consistently high-performing and credible organization.
As in any other organization grounded by governing bylaws, no member is exempt from compliance. That would be inequitable, inconsistent, and undermine the integrity of the board. All member’s primary responsibility is to abide by the organization’s bylaws and rules. The inaccurate assertion of privilege by any board member not only is inconsistent with board policy, but diverts the Board's attention from the Partnership's mission. If not addressed, it will establish a privileged subset of Board members, undermining the original intent of a peer-based Board structure outlined in the statute. This, if established as a precedent, compromises the Partnership’s credibility and effectiveness. If unaddressed, it leaves the Board vulnerable to the influence of a few members, thereby compromising its peer-based integrity.
We appreciate the confidence the General Assembly has placed in West Louisville and the West End Opportunity Partnership Board by voting to codify this board-approved policy. We encourage the House and Senate to affirm their vote for SB 259.
About The West End Opportunity Partnership:
The West End Opportunity Partnership is a nonprofit, public entity established in 2021 by the Kentucky General Assembly to operate with 21 voting members who will manage financial resources for a newly created West Louisville Tax Increment Financing district.
Press Contacts:
Laura Douglas
President and CEO, West End Opportunity Partnership
Laura@westendpartners.org