Minutes 12-13-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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In November, you asked the county to draft the charge, composition and timeline for the workgroup -for public comment today. We reviewed the draft and suggest the following changes to the proposed charge and composition. First -the workgroup's charge should be more specific and proactive. You asked for tangible solutions to the problems we are facing. We expected the work group to work cooperatively on issues and recommendations -not simply review the work of the county or its consultants. For your consideration, we drafted a charge for your review and for consideration by the workgroup. • Second, we support the county's role to coordinate and administer the workgroup -but ' we ask that one or two commissioners agree to lead it - in order to assure that your priorities and objectives are met. If they are willing, please ask that commissioners McKee and Foushee be designated as co-chairs -since they have strong hands-on experience which should expedite our efforts. • Third, please consider inviting the county medical director to be an active -not advisory member of the workgroup. And include UNC's School of Government in an advisory capacity • Fourth, please allow 1 to 2 citizens to openly participate, openly engage in subjects that are of .interest to them. Finally, please do not approve any consulting projects -including those listed in tonight's agenda items 8D and 8E unless they have the full support of the workgroup. Thank you. Commissioner Foushee made reference to having Board of County Commissioners' participation on the work group and said that she thinks it might be beneficial to have citizens who are part of the County in this group. Commissioner McKee agreed with Commissioner Foushee. She said that there should be Commissioner participation as well as citizen participation from two citizens -one from the rural area and one from the towns. Commissioner Jacobs said that he thinks it could be good to have the Medical Director on this group. Commissioner Gordon agreed that it would be beneficial to have Commissioner participation. She also agreed with having two citizens and the Medical Director. She suggested changing the wording and instead of the scope of services, she would prefer that this wording be changed to a "charge" She said Item #2 of the charge (Review the preliminary findings of Solutions for Local Government, Inc. and provide input) would put the work group in more of an advisory role for the consultant and she would prefer that they have more defined duties. She said she would also like the group to provide a specified timeline. Chair Pelissier said that she agreed with adding a Commissioner or two, but she questioned the role of citizens on this group since there is a lot of technical work. Commissioner McKee said that the reason he suggested adding two citizens to this group is not because of technical expertise but from a taxpayer's perspective. Commissioner Foushee concurred. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to the notion of changing the charge and timeframe and he suggested that the first order of business be to synthesize the two charges and suggest a reasonable timeframe to report back to the County Commissioners for information and not necessarily for approval Commissioner Yuhasz said that Mr. Waddell had suggested delaying the next two items on the agenda until the workgroup has reviewed these. He asked if the Board wants to delay these and add this review in the charge and a specific timeframe to get a report back.