Agenda - 03-17-2015 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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13 1 Chair McKee asked the Manager address this. He feels that every Commissioner has a 2 right to state their position;however there is a fine line between County endorsement and 3 minority statements. 4 Bonnie Hammersley said this is a discussion for the Boardto have in order to address 5 this. She thinks that a media relations document, which has not been developed yet, will be a 6 good place to address this. She does not have a strong feeling on this, as she thinks it is a 7 Board issue. 8 Commissioner Rich said she hasnever written anything on letter head; instead she 9 replies to citizens by email, and she almost always starts by stating that she is representing her 10 own opinion. 11 Commissioner Jacobs saidthere was an issue related to this several years ago. He 12 said aCommissioner used County letter head,and someone took it as the view of the entire 13 Board.He said it is important to have an understanding that when letters are written, it is made 14 clear that the opinion isbeing expressed by an individual and is not an endorsement from the 15 entire Board. 16 Commissioner Price said she can go either way as long as a standard is set. She can 17 see an issue with using letterhead or email with a Board signature. She said people know each 18 of them are Commissioners, and if it just needs to be clear if their statements are personal. 19 Commissioner Dorosin said there was discussion earlier about formalizing a policy that 20 the Chair (or the Vice Chair) is the only formal spokespersonfor the Board, unless the Chair 21 designates someone else in his/her absence. 22 Commissioner Rich said it is important to make provision to designate another 23 spokesperson in the event that the Chair cannot make it to a meeting or event. 24 Chair McKee said he has been careful to make it clear when he is stating his opinion, 25 and he feels this is an obligation for the Commissioners. 26 Commissioner Price clarified that it is okay to use your title and to use County email. 27 Commissioner Richsaid she feels you should always use your County email when 28 responding to a citizen’s email. 29 Commissioner Price asked about the policy when responding to general events, or 30 letters to the editor. 31 Commissioner Rich said if you are not using your capacity as a County Commissioner, 32 then that is up for interpretation. 33 Chair McKeesaid it is important to look after what is best for the Board. 34 Commissioner Rich said this is more important in the Chair’s position, because you are 35 the voice of the Board, and it is more importantto clarify when a statement is your personal 36 opinion. 37 Chair McKeesaid he would likely not feel comfortable writing an opinion or argument 38 now that he is in the Chair position. 39 Commissioner Rich said she would recommend taking the manager’s recommendation 40 on this as well, and this can be developed as things move along. 41 Bonnie Hammersley said there may be an addition to clarify that the Board is the 42 spokesperson. She said the Commissioners have a right to speak as individual regarding 43 issues. 44 Chair McKee said he sees consensus to take the manager’s recommendation and 45 further fill this out. 46 Commissioner Jacobs asked about the next steps in this process. 47 Bonnie Hammersley said this has been reviewed, and an implementation team will be 48 put togetherto identify the low hanging fruit that can be addressed immediately. She said a 49 governance team will also be put together, and reports will come back to the Board on a