The Polk County Board of Commissioners is considering changing its planning board ordinance to include that members serve two-year terms instead of three-year terms and to make a better effort of getting members from each of its six townships.

Commissioners met Aug. 19 and set a public hearing for the proposed changes for Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.

Commissioners said they want to ensure the current planning board had time to review the proposed changes prior to hearing from the public.

To make the transition, the proposal is for the terms to change from Nov. 1 through Oct. 31 to Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. Seats from Tryon and Green Creek would be appointed for one-year terms next year (beginning Jan. 1, 2014 and ending Dec. 31, 2014) with seats from Coopers Gap, Saluda, Columbus, White Oak, an at-large seat and an at-large alternate seat being appointed for two-year terms.

Members appointed for a one-year term next year will be allowed to serve two consecutive two-year terms or up to five years. All others can serve two-year terms then have to wait at least one year before reapplying.

Polk’s planning board consists of seven members and one alternate. The proposed wording of the amendment to the ordinance says to the extent possible, six of the seven seats shall be held by one resident of each of the county’s townships and the remaining member seat and alternate seat shall be an at-large member.

The current planning board consists of three members from Columbus, one member from Green Creek, two from White Oak, one from Saluda and the alternate from Columbus. There is currently no representation from Tryon or Coopers Gap.