HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03271984 - IO.1 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS (�(y'�+
FROM: Internal Operations Committee Contra
Costa
DATE: March 20, 1984 County
SUBJECT: Citizens Budget Review Committee
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
1 . We suggest that the Board consider instead of forming a Citizens Budget Review
Committee that the Board consider the formation of a new Governmental Review
Committee to update the recommendations made several years ago by the former
Government Review Committee, as well as to study and make recommendations on
such organizational issues as ways to improve the control the County Administrator
has over departmental operations; whether the County should form a Central
Collections Department; where Data Processing services should more appropriately
be placed organizationally, and other similar types of issues relating to the
organization of county government.
2. If the Board is in agreement with the formation of such a committee, refer this
matter to the County Administrator to formulate recommendations to the Board
of Supervisors on the size and composition of such a committee and the specific
charge which should be given to the committee and report his recommendations
to the Board as soon as possible after adoption of the county budget for
1984-1985.
3. Remove thisitem as a referral to our Committee.
BACKGROUND:
On March 6, 1984, the Board referred to our Committee a recommendation from the
Finance Committee that the Board approve the appointment of a Citizens Budget
Review Committee along the lines of the committee established in the 1983-1984
fiscal year.
Our Committee met with the County Administrator on March 19, 1984. While our
Committee recognizes that the formation of a Budget Review Committee provides an
opportunity for some citizens to learn more about county government and, to that
extent, has a positive value, such committees also require a substantial amount
of staff time and effort on behalf of the County Administrator's Office.
Our Interim County Administrator, Mr. Dixon, advises us that while he would be
happy to staff such a committee if directed to do. so by the Board, it was his feeling
that the first priority over the next several months is to ensure that the 1983-1984
county budget is balanced and that he is able to present a sound proposed budget
for 1984-85 in a timely manner. We agree with the concerns expressed by Mr. Dixon
and believe that the County Administrator's Office should devote as much of their
staff resources as are necessary to the formulation of the 1984-1985 budget.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
X APPROVE ER _
SIGNATURE(S) Tom 'P ers Nancy C. Fanden i1 ..
-2-
Our Committee notes that several issues have been raised in the past relative
to the organization of county government which might best be studied as a
relatively long-term project by a citizens'- committee. Thesetinclude :recommends-
tions made by Supervisor Schroder relating to the authority of the County
Administrator and the fact that the County-Administrator in-a--General Law .county
cannot be the appointing authority for most department heads. In addition, issues
have been raised regarding the advisability of forming a Central Collections
Department. Also, issues have been raised about the advisability of removing
some or all of the data processing responsibilities from the Auditor-Controller
and placing them elsewhere organizationally in county government.
We believe that the formation of a Governmental Review Committee similar to the one
formed following the passage of Proposition 13 would provide valuable input to the
Board of Supervisors in dealing with several of these organizational issues. This
effort should not, however, be undertaken until after the adoption of the 1984-1985
budget at the end of August.
ACTION OF BOARD ON Marc , APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
The Board approved Recommendation No. 1 and requested the County
Administrator to review the cost of staff time, structure of the
committee and its functions and responsibilities .
In its discussion on the proposal for a Citizens Budget Review
Committee , the Board also requested the County Administrator to
report to the Board on the cost of staff time relative to the
establishment and indoctrination of such a committee .
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT TTT ) 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
County Administrator ATTESTED March 27, 1984
Cc: Auditor-Controller
J.R. OLSSON. COUNTY CLERK
AND EX OFFICIO CLERK OF THE BOARD
M382/7-e3 BYDEPUTY
Jeanne 0. Ma io
000214