A move is afoot to make the Peachtree City Tourism Association a fully-volunteer board.

Currently, the city manager and a city council member hold positions on the five-member board. But Councilwoman Judi-ann Rutherford said she’d prefer the association not have such direct political ties. Instead, she suggested the city manager and city finance director could serve on the association’s finance committee, which would allow council to keep an eye on the group’s finances.

After a 4-1 council vote Thursday night, City Attorney Ted Meeker will prepare an amendment to the association’s bylaws allowing the change. New Councilwoman Cyndi Plunkett voted against the measure.

Rutherford said there are a number of talented citizens out there who could help the association, which oversees tourism initiatives and operation of the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater and the Peachtree City Tennis Center.

All of the other boards, commissions and authorities used by the city consist entirely of volunteers, Rutherford said.

Councilman Stuart Kourajian said he and Rutherford were initially concerned about having the strong city council presence on the tourism board when council initially formed the association to operate the venues. Prior to that, the Development Authority of Peachtree City operated the venues until it exercised an option to cease operation of the tennis center and amphitheater.

Stan Phillips, a member of the Tourism Association board, said the advice of City Manager Bernie McMullen and city council members has been tremendously helpful on a variety of issues. Phillips said he would like to see them remain on the board.