Minutes 10-08-2020 Virtual Work Session

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5 the Board to have more authority, and enable the BOCC to have representation in ABC financial and personnel decisions. Commissioner McKee said he does not hear of any concerns with the current ABC board members, and the BOCC goes to great lengths to get the community involved. He said he has served as the liaison to the ABC Board twice, and found the members to be very responsive to any input that he gave. He said he is not sure how this change would help the BOCC. Commissioner Price said when she served on the Board she thought about this change, but realized that the BOCC appoints the other five members and the Chair of the ABC Board. She said those appointees represent the BOCC, and it is okay if the Commissioner liaison does not have a vote. Commissioner Dorosin said it is important for the BOCC to have a vote on the Board. He said having a direct voice in decision-making is critical. He said there has always been heavy representation from law enforcement on the ABC Board. He said the ABC Board generates a lot of revenue, and is involved with social services programs about which the BOCC is concerned. He said having an equal vote is important. Commissioner Rich said there are also other boards on which the BOCC has a vote, such as the Visitors Bureau, Home Trust, GoTriangle, etc. Commissioner Bedford said both she and Commissioner Greene were on a seminar today about community engagement, and the timing was perfect for this agenda item. She said the discussion focused on the value of broad community participation, with which she strongly agrees. She said leadership should be spread out, diluted, and shared with the community. She said prior to becoming a Commissioner, she served on the ABC Board. She said she could have continued serving, but felt it was very much a conflict of interest and thus resigned once elected a Commissioner. She referred to the chart on Table 2, and said 17% is spent on law enforcement, but also 26% on non-profits. She said the ABC Board pays a living wage, which reduces its profit, and gives 64% of profit away. She said this could be higher, but given COVID, there may not have been as much revenue as normal, and it is wise to be conservative. She said the ABC Board has a rigorous capital improvement plan in place. She said if a funding request is needed, it should be made, but otherwise she would prefer to leave this board alone. Commissioner Greene asked if the conflict of interest could be clarified. Chair Rich said the possible conflict of interest is because the ABC Board members receive a stipend, and BOCC members should not vote of adjusting the stipend. Commissioner Price said she could go either way. She said the difference with the ABC Board is that the Commissioners appoint each member to the ABC Board, as well as the chair, as opposed to other boards where Commissioners serve and have a vote, but do not select the other board members. She said there must be five members, and she does not want to remove any of the current ABC Board members. Commissioner Dorosin said having one seat as a voting member would not eliminate participatory democracy. He said he does not see any issues of malfeasance, but does find the ABC Board to be very dependent on the staff. He said he heard a lot of grievances from ABC employees. He said having a Commissioner, as a voting member, is important as the liaison only has a power of persuasion. He said he would not recommend removing the current incumbent, but following John Roberts' comments to replace a member once their term is over. Chair Rich agreed with Commissioner Dorosin. She said this item can come to a business meeting for a vote. Commissioner Bedford asked if the ABC Board's opinion on this matter could be sought. Commissioner Price agreed with Commissioner Bedford. Commissioner Marcoplos said he supports voting yes to having a voting member on the ABC Board. He said influence in the votes is one thing, but the BOCC must also be fully informed on all matters of this board.