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19 <br /> • Formation of new levels of accountability, which includes development of an equitable set <br /> of processes, seeking to gain further community trust. <br /> In the fall of 2021, the study team invited the BOCC, as well as others serving on other transit <br /> plan governing boards (GoTriangle & DCHC MPO) and staff, to participate in initial small-group <br /> interviews. From those interviews, the team learned about overall needs, and the study process <br /> continued to allow for a facilitated workshop with elected officials from each of the transit plan <br /> governing boards (GoTriangle & DCHC MPO). These needs were defined through five overall <br /> elements to be incorporated into a new governance framework: Representative, Equitable, <br /> Collaborative, Transparent, and Accessible. <br /> From these five elements, the elected officials further helped to weigh-in on how much change <br /> was necessary to primary elements of the existing framework. This feedback provided leadership <br /> and guidance to develop draft alternatives for consideration in a new governance framework. <br /> Staff from all three parties to the existing governance framework attended joint workshops in <br /> March and April 2022. These workshops focused on critical elements that informed the foundation <br /> of what a new ILA could offer to all parties. Discussion focused on multiple alternatives of critical <br /> elements that comprise the following four areas: Membership, Voting Structures, Financial <br /> Planning, and Program & Plan Development. Outcomes of this workshop indicated: <br /> 1. Formalizing greater involvement from multiple jurisdictions and entities at the Staff <br /> Working Group (SWG) level and associated representative voting structures (the SWG is <br /> the technical recommending body for plan implementation elements). <br /> 2. Clearly defining roles & responsibilities for each signatory to the updated interlocal <br /> agreement. <br /> 3. Solidifying the County's role in annual work program/budget development with the tax <br /> district administrator. <br /> 4. Defining terminology and language consistently to ensure clarity and transparency for all <br /> parties who will use this updated governance framework for plan implementation in the <br /> future. <br /> 5. While referencing State Statutes, the updated ILA and supporting documentation will <br /> further define equity as it relates to utilization of tax revenues throughout the county, as <br /> well as accounting for regional transit needs. <br /> In parallel with the Interlocal Agreement development, discussions with all three parties to the <br /> agreement discussed critical elements that would require further definition or supportive guidance <br /> through supplemental policies & procedures and not be specifically codified in the ILA. These <br /> items include updated SWG Bylaws and Financial Policies, as well as incorporating plan <br /> implementation administration/management elements throughout. Throughout the summer of <br /> 2022, several multi-agency staff meetings were held to work through some of the finer details of <br /> the ILA. The result is a final Transit Governance Interlocal Agreement that reflects the study <br /> process goals and the five critical elements identified above. <br /> Following is a summary of key study outcomes that are encapsulated within the draft ILA: <br /> 1. Greater municipal involvement in Transit Plan/Annual Work Program <br /> development/implementation and representation on the SWG. <br /> 2. BOCC now a governing body, with authority to approve Annual Work Program/Transit <br /> Plan. <br /> 3. Parties endeavor to streamline project agreements. <br />