Agenda - 09-10-20; Item 3 - Discussion Regarding the Membership Composition of the Planned Committee to Examine the Election Method for Members of the Orange County Board of Commissioners

Browse Search

23 Commissioner McKee said this discussion should occur in conjunction with the census data. He said he will vote against this motion, as it is important to have public, face to face discussion and then proceed with the formation of a committee. Commissioner Marcoplos said he disagreed, and there is a lot of interest in changing the way that commissioners are elected. He said waiting for face to face discussions with the public will only lead to residents voicing opinions on the way they want to be represented, not whether or not the BOCC should look into the issue in the first place. He said having a date certain is important. Commissioner Bedford said it is bad governance to have a motion on an issue that was not on the agenda and to pass it tonight. She said Commissioner Dorosin could write it up and bring it back at another time. She said if there will be a survey about the district tax, then a question on this topic could also be included. She said if a date certain is preferred, then she would recommend December 10th, so new BOCC members could participate. She said she cannot vote for this motion tonight. Commissioner McKee said having the public speak about what they want is exactly what the BOCC needs to hear. He said the public's interest in this topic is not going to wane by waiting for face-to-face meetings. Commissioner Price asked Commissioner Dorosin if he would mind delaying this vote and coming back with a more spelled out plan before the BOCC goes on summer break. She said she is still unsure about the committee, how to select it, and who should make these decisions. She said she does support the overall idea, but does not want to rush. Commissioner Greene said the BOCC would be better served if this motion were made at a later meeting, before the summer break. She said this motion should not clarify who would be on the committee. She said the BOCC does not know what will happen with this pandemic, and if online meetings continue in the fall, then this is not a good platform for this type of discussion. Commissioner Dorosin amended his motion, which Commissioner Greene seconded for purposes of discussion: a. Establish a committee to consider alternatives methods to elect the Orange County Board of Commissioners. b. The Orange County Board of Commissioners will select members for this committee by January 31, 2021; c. The committee will meet to discuss alternative options and will bring their recommendations to the Orange County Board of Commissioners by July 31, 2021; d. The Orange County Board of Commissioners will review the recommendations, conduct public hearings, seek public input, and, if need be, to make a decision in time to be included in a referendum on the March 2022 primary. Commissioner McKee asked John Roberts if one can amend one's own motions. John Roberts said yes. Commissioner Greene said she liked the second motion much more, but suggested changing "if needed" to "if possible". Commissioner Dorosin said the BOCC could revise it at a later time, if need be. John Roberts said the rules of procedure only allow two amendments, so Commissioner Greene's amendment is moot. VOTE: Ayes, 6; Nays, 1 (Commissioner Bedford) 7.Reports NONE 10