Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
137 <br />N , <br />i f <br />Recommendation 1: Address issue of representation on the Board of <br />County Commissioners. <br />Action Strategies: <br />A. Convene a short -term study committee with geographical representation and <br />racial/gender /ethnic diversity <br />with the specific task of analyzing options for making the Board of County Commissioners more representative of <br />the county's rural citizens. The group should have a short (6 month) timeframe and be charged to come up with <br />recommended options for changing the elective process, (including looking at increasing the size of the <br />board if determined to be needed), for the County Commissioners to choose from and put on a referendum <br />for a County-wide vote Any such options should not dilute minority voting and representation and be consistent <br />with one person/one vote Federal mandate. The Committee should also explore the issues behind feelings of need <br />for a change in method of election, to help address any needed policy changes <br />B. Make sure that any development of new electoral system options addresses diversity <br />and looks at previous work and other types of reform voting methods. <br />Recommendation 2: Ensure adequate representation for citizens living <br />outside municipal limits, but inside municipal <br />planning jurisdictions (i.e. in Town Extra Territorial <br />Jurisdictions (ETJs)). <br />Action Strategy: <br />A. Convene a short -term study committee for each ETJ made up of diverse <br />representation (including citizens living in ETJs) to look at making Town elected <br />boards more responsive to citizens residing in ETJ or transition areas. <br />The study committee should consider options such as Town referendum/special legislation allowing limited voting <br />authority for ETJ /transition residents and /or the establishment of a liaison -type seat on the elected board for those <br />living in these areas. <br />Recommendation 3: Continue to ensure that all Town and County <br />advisory boards and commissions have broad -based <br />representation, in terms of gender, race and <br />ethnicity. <br />Recommendation 4: Continue current (and ensure in the future) a public <br />process that focuses efforts to make government an <br />open process in full public view, using tools like <br />public hearings and forums, televised meetings, the <br />Internet, and future technologies to provide vehicles <br />for citizen involvement. <br />29 <br />