Title
Discussion and Possible Action of the Council Charter Review of Utilities Profit Transfer; Council Procedures for Filling Partial Terms of Elected Officials; and Party Affiliation Requirements for Boards and Commission Members
Recommended Action
I move that Council direct the County Manager to draft an ordinance to formally propose the following change(s) to the Charter: ____________.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
The Charter Council Working Group recommends changing the Charter language concerning party affiliation requirements for all Boards/Commission except Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Public Utilities, and Personnel Board.
Body
The County Council have recently discussed possible changes to the Charter. Chair Randall Ryti formed a Council Working Group consisting of Councilors Theresa Cull, Melanee Hand, and David Reagor. The Council Working Group met and discussed the following Charter changes.
Section 305.3 Composition of Standing Boards and Commissions
Currently reads, “No more than a simple majority of the voting members of any standing board or commission shall be members of the same political party.
Comments: Board/commission might feel that they need to appoint someone who is less qualified just because of party affiliation or leave a position vacant because they can’t find a qualified candidate of the “correct” party. Most boards/commissions are strictly advisory (except for Planning and Zoning, Board of Public Utilities, or Personnel Board); final decisions are made by Council. Chapter 8 of the County Code could be modified to encourage party balance when achievable.
Recommended change, “No more than a simple majority of the voting members of Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Public Utilities, or Personnel Board shall be members of the same political party.”
Section 504 Rates and Charges
Fourth Sentence currently reads, “The Department of Utilities shall be operated on a compensatory basis.”
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