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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 05141996 - D3 To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORSL-- t rl Contra FROM: SUPERVISOR MARK DeSAULNIER �� s Costa DATE: May 10, 1996 County`°:srq -= SUBJECT: AUTHORITY TO EXPLORE PLACING A CHARTER COMMISSION PROPOSAL ON THE NOVEMBER 5, 1996 BALLOT SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. AUTHORIZE Supervisor DeSaulnier and County staff to make presentations to the City-County Relations Committee, Public Managers' Association, Contra Costa Mayors' Conference, Special District Association, and School District Superintendents, seeking the support of these organizations for an advisory ballot measure suggesting the appointment of a Charter Commission which would develop a County Charter to be returned to the voters for approval in 1998. 2, AUTHORIZE Supervisor DeSaulnier and County staff to meet with appropriate members of this County's legislative delegation, private sector business leaders, labor organizations and other appropriate individuals and organizations to review the ballot proposal and seek their support for it as well as to explore the feasibility of legislation which provide this County with selected pilot status to test out some measures which would allow the County to deliver services more effectively. 3. REQUEST Supervisor DeSaulnier to report back to the Board of Supervisors , during the month of June, 1996 on the results of his meetings, at which time he should provide proposed ballot language and an expansion of the concept he has in mind for a County Charter. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: _kYES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): Mark i eSQ Rlniar ACTION OF BOARD ONMay 141996 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER , VOTE OF SUPERVISORS 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE X UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. ATTESTED May 14 , 1996 Contact: Supervisor DeSaulnier PHIL HELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF CC: County Administrator PER RSAND COUNTY ADMI TRATOR Y County Counsel B D. 3 BACKGROUND: Contra Costa County is one of two large urban counties in California which does not already have a charter or is seriously considering placing a charter proposal on the ballot for voter consideration. A charter has several advantages for a county because it allows the voters, by approving a charter, to override some State laws which a general law (non-charter) county must observe. At the same time a charter, perhaps with accompanying State legislation to establish some pilot projects, can provide a county an opportunity to find new ways to streamline local government, operate programs more effectively, focus more on outcomes and less on process, save money which can be put back into needed programs for families and children, and generally to make the County more accountable to the taxpayers for the resources they provide to the County. In November, 1993, San Diego County's voters overwhelmingly approved a measure which directed the Board of Supervisors to establish a Commission to examine issues related to local government efficiency and restructuring for the purpose of making government more cost efficient and effective and to make recommendations to the Board for possible submission to local voters at a subsequent election. As a result of the approval by the voters, San Diego County went through an extensive process of appointing a 21 member Commission and drafting up a document which would allow their County to streamline and make their local government more effective in delivering services. The possibility of establishing a charter for Contra Costa County has been studied on at least three occasions in the past forty years, the last time in 1979. At the time the Board decided not to pursue a charter in 1979, it was also suggested that the matter be considered again in three years. As nearly as we can determine the matter has not been seriously studied since 1979. In that period of time, the population of Contra Costa County has increased by over 34%, from 657,252 in 1980 to over 883,000 today. There are literally dozens of local governmental agencies in the County which together spend some $875 million a year in property taxes. Altogether, these local governments spend at least $2.5 billion annually. We owe it to the taxpayers of the County to insure that they are getting the best possible value for the taxes they pay. I have been meeting informally with the County Administrator, County Counsel and members of their staffs for the past few months to explore the idea of proposing a charter for Contra Costa County. We have met with the staff person who supported San Diego County's efforts and we have reviewed the document which they produced. To get the process started it appears that it would be wise to get voter approval for the appointment of a broadly based Charter Commission which would be charged with actually drafting a charter to present to the voters. To make this effective, it is clearly important to get buy-in from as many interested and affected parties as possible before even proposing a ballot measure. Attached is a brief listing of some of the goals that might be appropriate to pursue in discussing a charter for Contra Costa County. -2- Therefore, I am requesting approval from the Board of Supervisors to hold meetings on the Board's behalf with the groups outlined above, as well as other interested parties who should be briefed on this proposal. I will plan to return to the Board next month with a more fully outlined proposal for a Charter Commission and for the charge which we might give to the Commission. Friday, August 9, 1996 is the deadline for placing a measure on the November 5, 1996 ballot. Therefore, the Board of Supervisors would have to act absolutely no later than Tuesday, August 6, 1996. Hopefully we can make a decision on this well before the deadline, perhaps in June or early July. -3- 9. 3 POSSIBLE COMMUNITY CHARTER GOALS 1 . The focus should be to have the freedom to improve the effectiveness of local government in order to save money and then be able to utilize the savings for local priorities such as children's services. 2. Allow local governments to suggest that what should be mandated by the State and Federal governments is the outcome, not the program or the process and enter into a partnership to accomplish this. 3. Focus on prevention services rather than the crisis management of symptoms. 4. Focus on the need for interdependence among units of local government and seek.to eliminate duplication by encouraging joint operations among municipalities where appropriate. 5. Focus on making government more customer-oriented/service-oriented. 6. Develop appropriate incentives that will encourage high quality production on the part of individuals. 7. Encourage risk taking in order to improve creativity and performance. 8. Our goal should be identifying and implementing "Win-Win" solutions. DATE; REQUEST TO SPEAK FORM D (THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT) / Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers" rostrum before addressing the Board. NAME: h �/,�' P €�x �E: 223- 10 ADDRESS: 920 A114,IA-) �/�lt�� C=. R/V I am speaking formyself OR organization: 6sc�� y� ��•an,� iNAmE QF ( Px--mi7.-%1-Lo,%) Check one: . X I wish to speak on Agenda Item # DZ My comments will be: general x for against I wish to speak on the subject of I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider.