Okaloosa County BOCC — December 1, 2015 — Commissioner Appointment Process Review — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: December 1, 2015 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Rick Owen SUBJECT: Commissioner Appointment Process Review DEPARTMENT: County Administrator BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Consider methodology for commissioner appointments. BACKGROUND: There are various boards, committees, councils, and authorities [hereinafter referred to in general terms as “boards”] which require the appointment of one or more county commission representatives. In some instances, these appointments are statutorily driven; others are based on charters; and others are based on requests from various community groups. In addition, Commissioners are annually designated to serve as liaisons to various county departments, agencies and constitutional offices. The role of a liaison Commissioner is not well defined, but generally provides an advocate and a more-informed Commissioner point of contact for the media regarding operations and initiatives. Currently and in the past, liaison designations are made by the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. Through various informal means, input regarding preferences has been sought from the Commissioners prior to making the designations. Tables are provided as an attachment outlining the current representative and liaison positions. A more formalized procedure could be established in order to provide continuity for the process each year. With input from various internal and external sources staff has outlined some options for consideration. OPTION 1 - No change. Continue having appointments made each year at the discretion of the Chairman. OPTION 2 - At the first meeting in January each year, the incoming Chairman would present a list of designated liaisons for consideration, amendment as appropriate and approval. If this option is selected, the commissioner and/or County Administrator could identify a staff position responsible for annual coordination of the appointment process. OPTION 3 - Designate the County Administrator to coordinate the appointment process as follows: In November each year, the County Administrator would provide a list to each Commissioner of all current appointments, requesting each Commissioner to respond with their interest in appointments for the next calendar year. The County Administrator would create an agenda item for the first meeting in December, listing each liaison and representative position, the Commissioner currently holding the appointment, and the names of all Commissioners who would be willing to serve in that position. The Commission would by motion and second, nominate, and by vote, approve, each appointment on the list. Regardless of the option selected, designating a more formalized procedure for liaison appointments will improve consistency and continuity in the appointment process. A formalized procedure may also include a more defined guideline for liaison commissioners, such as, “each Commissioner appointee shall endeavor to keep the Board of County Commissioners advised of those significant actions taken within their area of appointment.” RECOMMENDATIONS: Provide guidance to staff regarding the Commission's preferred method to formalize the appointment procedure. If a change is desired, staff could then bring back a policy and procedure for approval. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator