Minutes 10-03-2019 Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 The Board discussed the length of the terms that members of the Board of County Commissioners serve on Advisory Boards and Commissions. BACKGROUND: At the BOCC Special Meeting on December 18, 2018, the Board began a discussion on the length of terms that BOCC members serve on the various County Boards and Commissions. Based on a desire for further discussion, the topic was scheduled for a late- 2019 work session. Chair Rich said the Board tried to change up the policy about not allowing people to stay on boards for an indefinite time period, and this seems to be understood in different ways by different people. She said there needs to be some clarification about whether one chooses the same board two or four years in a row, or if one chooses a board and keeps it for 2 or 4 years. Commissioner Dorosin said his intent was that every board gets picked every year, and after picking the same board 2 or 4 years in a row, one cannot save that board again; but one could choose it again if no one else does. He said this practice encourages Commissioners to take on different roles. Chair Rich said one can only choose one save each year, and can stay on it for four years. Commissioner Marcoplos said his perspective is slightly different. He said, when picking intergovernmental boards, it takes longer to be effective. He said it is not about limiting the time, but it is the time that is needed to have an effective representative on a board. He said if the Board says one needs two years to become effective, there is a value being placed on the tenure; but if only one board can be saved then it does not work. He said it needs to be a team effort, and the Board should determine the best approach to dealing with this in the County. He asked if it should it be like a fantasy draft, or should there be limitations and expectations to be on that board for two years. He said there should be some way to make sure people are on the same boards long enough to be effective. Commissioner Price asked if there is a way to determine effectiveness. Commissioner Marcoplos said, for example, GoTriangle has a lot going on at the board, and if someone else grabs it next year, it may not help the overall concern. Commissioner Price asked if there is a way to decide which person should be on a board. Commissioner Marcoplos said one should be able to pick a board when the time limit is up. Commissioner Price said she thought the intent is for all to experience being on different boards, and to prevent any one person for staying on one board for 10 years. She said reports are good, but rotating the roles creates the opportunity for others to experience it. Commissioner Dorosin said all Commissioners should be somewhat familiar with all areas of the County. He said he does not agree that one needs to be in the position for 4 years to be effective. He said if a Commissioner is in a 4-year role, but is doing a bad job after year one, he feels that he should be able to have the opportunity to be on that board, if he thinks he can do a better job. He said another downside of serving too long is it encourages other Commissioners to check out on issues. He said he can accept that there is a learning curve, but people get tracked into their preferred areas and become experts, and that does not keep everyone engaged. He said, with this approach, one still has a save, but it puts pressure on the rest of the Board to be involved in some aspect. He said he does not think anything is too complicated for any Commissioner to learn, and all should