Mayor Frank Van Buer is calling on the residents of DeKalb to help prevent future flooding.

Applications are being taken for volunteers who are interested in becoming members of DeKalb’s Storm Water Task Force (SWTF). The SWTF will focus on finding ways to prevent future flooding in DeKalb.

“The important thing is to get a task force with skills,” Van Buer said.

“The skills and experience that I refer to are members of the commission who will represent the different public agencies such as our public works director, the city engineer, representatives from the sanitary district, the park district, the county, the university and individuals in the community that have special training and experience in the broad area of water runoff.”

Van Buer is also looking for residents impacted by the flooding in DeKalb in past years. These people will give a human perspective to the deliberations, Van Buer said.

The SWTF will serve as an advisory board to the city council, meaning that any decisions the board would make will have to go in front of the city council for approval.

“I [would] prefer that the task force continue indefinitely,” Van Buer said. “I would entertain a recommendation from the task force in this regard, however.”

Although there has been no set number of members announced, Van Buer believes the number will be somewhere between 11 to 13 members to “ensure a broad representation of skills and experience.”

Applications for the Storm Water Task Force of DeKalb can be found online at www.cityofdekalb.com. The application deadline is Friday. All applications are to be returned to the Mayor’s office, 200 S. Fourth St., Room 203.