Minutes 01-25-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Commissioner Gordon about some direction on the strategic plan. He said that there seems to be a disconnect. He thought that the County Commissioners wanted to see a strategic plan that includes internal and external, not just the Manager speaking about it off the top of his head. The Board needs to know where to put capital — promoting broadband, economic development capabilities, how to reach out to the public, how to promote Emergency Services, etc. He said that part of the frustration with the strategic plan a couple of years ago was that it did not give priorities and it was so focused on internal IT and it did not connect the capital needs to cutting edge technology. Frank Clifton said that everything they have done has been done internally since the County is a service-based organization. He does not feel comfortable giving guesstimates on costs for different things. He said that he could come up with a bullet list. Some things he does not feel comfortable with and he would suggest bringing in a consultant. Chair Pelissier asked for something to be brought to the Board before budget discussions and Frank Clifton said that he would try to prioritize the list. 2. Discussion of Day-Time Meetinqs Chair Pelissier said that in 2009, the County Commissioners decided not to have daytime work sessions but the composition of the Board has changed and the question is coming up again. Commissioner Hemminger asked if there was a strategy for scheduling. Clerk to the Board Donna Baker said that it usually follows the calendar year before. It has changed over the years, depending on who is serving at that time. Commissioner Hemminger said that budget work sessions could be blended in with work sessions. She suggested reducing the number of work sessions. She suggested having one work session a quarter in the daytime and possibly using Granicus. It could be worked around a noon meal. She acknowledged that it takes a lot of staff time for these night meetings. Commissioner McKee said that at first he was opposed to this, but if they are talking about only work sessions, then he could change. He has a concern that a lot of daytime meetings will adversely affect someone that is interested in running for County Commissioner. The second issue is the public and their ability to attend. He said that if the meetings had been during the day, he would not have been able to run for office because he runs a business. If it is only a couple of work sessions here and there, he would be ok with it. Commissioner Jacobs said that he agreed with Commissioner McKee and he has always wanted to have day meetings on a limited basis. He said that there are only 7 non- budget work sessions a year and he suggested keeping those and using them more efficiently. Frank Clifton said that from a staff viewpoint, it does not matter when they hold meetings other than the timing of other issues going on. He said that there could be more web streaming of ineetings, but there is a cost issue. He said that there are items that are addressed in the work session that could have been addressed in a regular meeting. Commissioner Foushee agreed with everything and said that no meeting should be scheduled during the day when any Commissioner cannot attend. There have been two meetings that were scheduled during the day that conflicted with her job, so she could not attend. She wants to also be inclusive of the County Commissioners and the public. Commissioner Hemminger suggested picking two work sessions this fiscal year and not budget work sessions.