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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 4, 2019 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 3 <br /> SUBJECT: Discussion on a Potential Framework for Intergovernmental Collaboration with <br /> Municipal Partners <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Manager's Office <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Attachment A: Proposal from the Dispute Travis Myren, 919-245-2300 <br /> Settlement Center Bonnie Hammersley, 919-245-2300 <br /> PURPOSE: To discuss a potential framework for intergovernmental collaboration with the <br /> County's municipal partners. <br /> BACKGROUND: During the Board's annual retreat, one of the themes that emerged was a <br /> desire to improve collaboration and cooperation with the municipalities within the County. This <br /> type of intergovernmental collaboration has historically been facilitated through a joint meeting <br /> process. However, some feedback to staff suggested that some elected officials believed the <br /> joint meeting framework lacked a clear purpose and few deliverables. <br /> As part of a brainstorming exercise about how to have a more deliberate collaboration process, <br /> the School Collaboration framework seemed to represent a good example of how the County <br /> and the school districts are able to identify joint issues, set goals, and reduce collaboration <br /> barriers. The School Collaboration framework consists of representatives from the County and <br /> each of the school districts, administrative leadership from each body, and other staff as <br /> required for support on specific topics. The Collaboration work group is facilitated by a <br /> professional facilitator who solicits agenda items in advance of the meeting, facilitates the work <br /> group meetings, and creates a set of minutes from those meetings that is distributed to each of <br /> the governing bodies. <br /> A similar framework could be used with municipalities where a small group of representatives <br /> from each of the governing boards meets to explore collaboration opportunities and report out <br /> results. The role of the facilitator is outlined in the proposal from the Dispute Settlement Center <br /> which is provided as Attachment A. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: No financial impact is associated with this discussion. If the Board <br /> chooses to employ a framework that involves a professional facilitator, funds would need to be <br /> budgeted to compensate the facilitator. <br />