BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Citing the proposal as a way for residents in the Frazier mountain communities to voice their concerns to county officials, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Mountain Communities Municipal Advisory Council Tuesday morning.

After months of discussion, no one from the public was in attendance during a public hearing to comment on the proposal by Supervisor Ray Watson to create a five-member appointed board to advocate for the needs of residents on Frazier Mountain.

Watson addressed the concerns of even some of the potential appointees that there is no provision for elections, saying he would like to see what the council focuses on before allowing for elections.

Opponents had argued the council was merely a vehicle for Watson to claim public support in the area, and was not something called for by the majority of the population.

Regardless, the people in line to become appointees for the MAC are excited about the opportunity, according to Anne Weber, the head of the Frazier Park Family Resources Center and one of the provisional appointees.

The group is expected to be formally appointed when the Board of Supervisors re-convenes in January, with the first formal meeting slated for January 19.