Agenda - 08-24-2005- - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

representatives specifically requested, as stated in the petition, that the Board "alter the method and manner by which Orange County Commissioners are elected to afford equal and fair representation to the residents of the county by adopting NCGS 153- 58(3)b, permitting the voters of Orange County to choose commissioners by electoral districts with each district being as nearly equal in population as practicable," The petition continued, "Further, that the qualified voters of each district nominate candidates and elect members who reside in the district for seats apportioned to that district and that some of the commissioners, but not more than half of the board, be allocated to the county as a whole, to be nominated and voted upon by the qualified voters of the entire county." Neither those making the request nor the petition submitted included any explanatory information or detailed any specific proposal regarding the format or implementation of the requested district representation for the Board.. Upon hearing the request, the Board of Commissioners asked that the Orange County Manager and County staff review the issue and the petition submitted and provide a report to the Board, Staff subsequently provided that report at the Board's May 5, 2005 work session. The report included information on the following: 1) the legal framework for structure of boards of county commissioners; 2) the various methods of at -large election, district election, and combination of at- large /district election utilized for boards of commissioners in the 99 other North Carolina counties; 3) a history of past discussions by the Orange County Board of Commissioners in regard Board representation and election; 4) some limited boundaries and statistics information showing the population distribution as it may relate to the consideration/ formulation of district representation for Orange County, The report was not intended to be an investigation of the benefits, costs, opportunities, hurdles, or timelines that may be associated with the consideration and possible implementation of district representation for the Board of Commissioners, It was intended to provide an initial framework of information upon which the Board of Commissioners could deliberate and determine as appropriate any further steps in evaluating this issue and responding to the request and petition submitted. Following staffs presentation of the report, the Board scheduled tonight's public hearing as well as the public hearing on August 31, 2005 in Hillsborough, The Board also requested additional information on several issues as noted in the minutes of May 5, 2005 work session, which are included at Attachment 1. Staff has provided information at Attachments 2 through 8 that responds to the Board's discussion at the May 5, 2005 work session, and will be available at the public hearing to provide any additional information on these materials. Attachment 9 to this abstract includes three options developed by Chair Moses Carey that provide different concepts for nominating county commissioners by residential district. These options may perhaps serve as a basis for public comments at the meeting. It should be noted that the concepts detailed in these options have not been assessed or number - tested, and following the public hearing and any direction from the Board, will likely require assessment and refinement for additional review and discussion by the Board.