Minutes 04-21-2026-Business Meeting

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21 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she is in support of listening sessions in the north and south of the county with two commissioners in attendance. She would want attendance to rotate between commissioners to reduce the burden on busy schedules. Commissioner Bedford said she does not think the Board should have ongoing listening sessions. She noted a housing listening session with low attendance. Commissioner McKee said there were about 10 people in attendance. Vice-Chair Fowler said she was not in favor of listening sessions, but was supportive of topic-specific sessions led by county staff. She said she had personal experience giving extended time to community members in informal settings and found that it often did not change perceptions or reach new audiences. She said she preferred having staff conduct targeted sessions and report findings back to the Board on a quarterly basis. Commissioner McKee said he's attended several community meetings that were ad hoc in nature. He did not see a significant problem with multiple commissioners attending a community session, if it was noticed appropriately, since the county already holds gatherings that attract commissioners informally. Vice-Chair Fowler asked if Commissioner McKee would like to have a formal listening session with two commissioners rotating. Commissioner McKee asked the Board what type of information they are looking for that they aren't getting now. Chair Hamilton said she was cautious about commissioners leading formal listening sessions because individual commissioners cannot speak for the full Board,and that inconsistency in how decisions are characterized could create confusion. She said the more appropriate model was for commissioners to attend community events and informal gatherings individually and bring constituent input back to the full Board and county staff. Commissioner McKee said if he is discussing policy with the public, he always prefaces it by saying it that it is his opinion. He said he did not think they needed to have formal listening sessions, but if commissioners wanted to attend, the Clerk to the Board could provide notice to the public. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she would like to provide an opportunity for people to speak who wouldn't normally contact the Board or attend business meetings. Chair Hamilton said there are two ways to provide opportunities to the public. She said they could have listening sessions in different parts of the county that any commissioner can attend, but commissioners can also meet with community members individually and bring information back to the Board. Wil Glenn suggested a coffee meeting with commissioners, which will be very informal. Commissioner McKee recalled informal meetings that he and former commissioner Renee Price held with the community. Chair Hamilton said commissioners could still do that. She said there are options to set up informal meetings without staff. She said that there did not seem to be Board support for formal listening sessions, but commissioners can meet with the public individually and share information with the rest of the Board. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said one of the most important points listed on the community survey was communication with residents.