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Cheryl Young said the final provision is regarding the protocol for communications that <br /> represent individual Commissioner viewpoints versus those representing the Board as a whole. <br /> She said the peer review stated that communications from the County should express the <br /> official stance of the County, and any individual opinions should not be expressed using <br /> County resources. <br /> Cheryl Young said the manager's recommendation was to leave the provision in the <br /> plan and allow an opportunity for protocol to be developed during implementation. She said <br /> the manager did not want to limit Commissioners from sending a letter to someone because it <br /> had not come before the entire Board. She said there are ways to identify communication as <br /> coming from the entire Board by use of signatures and the County logo. She said this can be <br /> clarified through the development of protocol. <br /> Chair McKee asked the Manager address this. He feels that every Commissioner has a <br /> right to state their position; however there is a fine line between County endorsement and <br /> minority statements. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said this is a discussion for the Board to have in order to address <br /> this. She thinks that a media relations document, which has not been developed yet, will be a <br /> good place to address this. She does not have a strong feeling on this, as she thinks it is a <br /> Board issue. <br /> Commissioner Rich said she has never written anything on letter head; instead she <br /> replies to citizens by email, and she almost always starts by stating that she is representing her <br /> own opinion. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said there was an issue related to this several years ago. He <br /> said a Commissioner used County letter head, and someone took it as the view of the entire <br /> Board. He said it is important to have an understanding that when letters are written, it is <br /> made clear that the opinion is being expressed by an individual and is not an endorsement <br /> from the entire Board. <br /> Commissioner Price said she can go either way as long as a standard is set. She can <br /> see an issue with using letterhead or email with a Board signature. She said people know <br /> each of them are Commissioners, and if it just needs to be clear if their statements are <br /> personal. <br /> Commissioner porosin said there was discussion earlier about formalizing a policy that <br /> the Chair (or the Vice Chair) is the only formal spokesperson for the Board, unless the Chair <br /> designates someone else in his/her absence. <br /> Commissioner Rich said it is important to make provision to designate another <br /> spokesperson in the event that the Chair cannot make it to a meeting or event. <br /> Chair McKee said he has been careful to make it clear when he is stating his opinion, <br /> and he feels this is an obligation for the Commissioners. <br /> Commissioner Price clarified that it is okay to use your title and to use County email. <br /> Commissioner Rich said she feels you should always use your County email when <br /> responding to a citizen's email. <br /> Commissioner Price asked about the policy when responding to general events, or <br /> letters to the editor. <br /> Commissioner Rich said if you are not using your capacity as a County Commissioner, <br /> then that is up for interpretation. <br /> Chair McKee said it is important to look after what is best for the Board. <br /> Commissioner Rich said this is more important in the Chair's position, because you are <br /> the voice of the Board, and it is more important to clarify when a statement is your personal <br /> opinion. <br /> Chair McKee said he would likely not feel comfortable writing an opinion or argument <br /> now that he is in the Chair position. <br />