HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06212005 - SD2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REV
:- ... Contra
FROM. Supervisor John GioiaCosta
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DATE: June 21, 2005
SUBJECT: No Alphabet Soup (Acronyms) Practice COU County
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Adopt a voluntary practice of not using acronyms and abbreviations at Board
Meetings.
2. Require that all written materials for Board meetings fully define all acronyms and
abbreviations used therein.
BACKGROUND
We've all heard them and we all use them — EIR, RFP, JSPAC, ISO, SWAT, CCTA, LAFCO,
ABAG, CSAC, and the list goes on. The problem is that most citizens don't know what they
stand for; only the "insiders" know.
In the interests of more open and transparent government, it would be beneficial if Board
members (as well as department heads who make presentations to the Board) voluntarily
refrain from using acronyms and abbreviations when speaking at our Board meetings, and if all
written Board meeting materials fully defined acronyms and abbreviations used therein. Those
who watch our meetings from home (on TV) or from the chambers would better understand the
issues we are discussing if we don't use alphabet soup. The public can feel left out when they
do not understand the acronyms we throw around at our meetings. The issues we discuss are
often complicated enough without resorting to the use of acronyms that few people but us
understand. I believe this practice will make the workings of government easier to
understand.
This practice was adopted by the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners in the Seattle area.
At their meetings, anyone "caught" using an acronym or abbreviation in their public discussion
is "fined" a dollar, just like the practice used in Rotary clubs. The money collected goes to a
charity identified by the Board. The amount collected at their meetings has decreased since
the Board implemented this policy because they have become more conscious of their past
practice of using acronyms and abbreviations too liberally. I'd suggest adopting this "fine"
practice in Contra Costa. If we get through a meeting without using acronyms or
abbreviations, I would gladly donate ten dollars to charity.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
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RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON O o�10 APPROVE AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
_
-UNANIMOUS(ABSENTf4P AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE
AYES: NOES: SHOWN.
ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTESTED: JUNE 21,2005
CONTACT: SUPERVISOR JOHN GIOIA(510)374-32331 JOHN SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
CC: COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
CLERK OF THE BOARD
BY -,DEPUTY