Title
Conduct an annual review of outstanding Board of Supervisors Referrals.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Conduct its first annual review of outstanding Board Referrals;
b. Provide direction to
i. Make no changes to any referral or the process;
ii. Modify a specific referral; or,
iii. Withdraw a specific referral
c. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
SUMMARY:
An amended Board Referral Process was approved by the Board of Supervisors on April 27, 2021. Section 9c of the revised process calls for the annual review of outstanding items listed on the Board's referral matrix. In accordance with the amended process, the Board is asked to evaluate pending referrals and consider options to continue, modify, or withdraw said referrals.
DISCUSSION:
The Board of Supervisors (Board) referral process is a mechanism for the Board to acquire more information on a topic to assist with its policy decision making responsibilities or to request substantive action by County staff on an initiative. Because the County Code requires the Board to request administrative services through the County Administrative Officer, a Board member referral serves as a tool to seek such services.
In July 2009, a formal Board Referral Process was developed to provide the Board and County departments with a written roadmap/guide of the County's referral procedure from inception of the referral through its completion. Several revisions were made to the process in the ensuing years to address organizational changes.
In July 2020, Board Referral No. 2020.22 was issued to address potential process deficiencies, including the need for further clarification and guidance, and requiring referral recipients to return to the Board (prior to commencing work) with an initial response outlining a description of the proposed project, estimated staff effort, departmental challenges and anticipated cost. On April 27, 2021, staff responded to the refer...
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