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5 <br /> Proposed Process for Creating a Consolidated County-wide Plan: <br /> • Implementation Considerations <br /> At a June meeting of the Orange County Assembly of Governments, elected officials from <br /> Orange County's four local governments discussed mechanisms for achieving coordinated, long <br /> range planning. A consensus proposal was developed at the meeting, described elsewhere. <br /> There are no specifics yet as to how this process would be implemented. Following are some <br /> preliminary suggestions about how the project might be managed. <br /> Time Frame <br /> The first step would be to take this proposed process to each of the four elected boards for <br /> ratification. Possible targets: Each of the four Managers would present the proposal to his <br /> Board during October/November, 1994, with approval and appointment of representatives by <br /> the end of December. A Citizens' Task Force could be assembled in early 1995. Once work <br /> has begun (estimate Spring, 1995), it would be expected to take a full.year to complete to the <br /> point of preparing a final report. A possible target would be to have a final report presented to <br /> each of the four governing boards in early Spring, 1996. <br /> Staff Support <br /> • <br /> This will be a very staff-intensive process. One of the four governments should take the lead <br /> staff role, and assign a full-time planner for the duration of the project. Help should be <br /> provided from each of the other three Planning Departments. Management of the project should <br /> take on a team approach, under the guidance of the full-time project manager. <br /> Budget <br /> A realistic budget needs to be prepared by the Planning Department of the lead government. <br /> In addition to staff costs, the budget should reflect ample funding for logistics (meetings, <br /> advertisements, mailings. etc.), data gathering (with heavy use of GIS), and a generous printing <br /> allowance. Funding for video production would be highly desirable. Funds for professional <br /> facilitators at key points in the process may prove to be valuable. <br /> Next Steps. <br /> ► Decide on a lead entity. <br /> ► Decide on staffing plan. <br /> ► Construct a project budget. <br /> ► Arrange for appointment of an 8-member Steering Committee (all elected officials) and <br /> subsequent appointment of a Citizen's Task Force. <br />