Several members of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors blocked a motion Thursday by member Ann Snyder to create a new board officer position, agreeing the move was unnecessary.

In November, Snyder requested staff place the item to amend the board's policies to establish an immediate past chair as a board officer. The current policy recognizes the chairman, vice chairman, treasurer and secretary.

The motion to add an immediate past chair was made by Snyder and ended in a 3-3 vote with board members Cindy Heiser, Craig Eissler, and Linda Nelson for the motion. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, Richard Franks and Chairman Brad Bailey all voted no.

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Snyder abstained from the vote.

Snyder said she was surprised at how controversial the item was.

"I did not see this as cumbersome or controversial, so I apologize," Snyder said during the board's meeting. "I didn't see that it would have any responsibilities or duties. Many governmental entities recognize the past chair."

Snyder has served as a township board member since 2015 and was elected chairman in 2022 after former Chairman Gordy Bunch did not run for reelection. Snyder was elected in 2023 to continue as chairman.

However, in November, Snyder removed her name from the nominations for chairman and said "it was time for another board member to have this wonderful opportunity."

Sekula-Gibbs said creating the position could confuse the community and other board members. She said an immediate past chair is typically associated with academic boards, not governmental.

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"It (the position) has no responsibilities, then it is probably an ego stroke, so I don't know if that sits very well," Sekula-Gibbs said. "If it is essential to your wellbeing, then so be it."

Snyder balked at Sekula-Gibbs' and said the creation of the new position was for the recognition of others in the future.

Several other members said they did not understand the purpose of that person's role.

"It seems like there needs to be a little more work done on what exactly this means," Heiser said. "I think it's a nice title, but I don't really understand the duties."