Title
a. Consider adoption of a resolution authorizing Monterey County’s membership in the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC); and
b. Appoint one (1) member of the Board of Supervisors to serve as the Monterey County Delegate Supervisor and one (1) member of the Board of Supervisors to serve as Alternate Supervisor to the RCRC Board of Directors.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Consider adoption of a resolution authorizing Monterey County’s membership in the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC); and
b. Appoint one (1) member of the Board of Supervisors to serve as the Monterey County Delegate Supervisor and one (1) member of the Board of Supervisors to serve as Alternate Supervisor to the RCRC Board of Directors.
SUMMARY
The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is a 36-member county service organization that advocates at the state and federal levels on behalf of California’s rural counties. Membership in RCRC will strengthen Monterey County’s ability to advocate on rural area issues that are aligned with the County’s Legislative Program.
To become a member of RCRC, the Board must adopt a resolution authorizing membership and appoint members to serve as member and alternate on the RCRC Board of Directors. If the Board approves these actions today the RCRC Executive Committee will consider a recommendation to allow Monterey County to join RCRC at their meeting on July 10, 2019; and the RCRC Board of Directors will vote to approve Monterey County’s admission into RCRC at their meeting on August 14, 2019.
The cost of membership in RCRC is $15,000 per fiscal year for Monterey County. If Monterey County is accepted into RCRC that amount will be pro-rated (August 14, 2019 to June 30, 2020).
In order to ensure Brown Act compliance, County Counsel recommends that neither the member or alternate appointed to the RCRC Board of Directors currently serve on the Board’s Legislative Committee - or - that both the member and alternate serve on the Legislative Committee. Counsel further cautions against members of the Board’s Legislative Committee and representatives to RCRC communicating on matters which come before the Legislative Committee.
DISCUSSION
RCRC was founded over 40 years ago to advocate on behalf of its membership on rural issues at the state and federal levels. RCRC provides the rural county perspective on a myriad of issues during the legislative and regulatory process, including land use, water and natural resources, housing, transportation, wildfire protection policies, and health and human services. The core of RCRC’s mission is to improve the ability of small, rural California county governments to provide services by reducing the burden of state and federal mandates, and promoting a greater understanding among policy makers about the unique challenges that face California’s small population counties.
Although RCRC's thirty-six member counties comprise more than 50 percent of California’s land mass, slightly less than eleven percent of California’s population resides in these counties. Low population, geography, and distance present California’s rural counties with unique challenges in providing county services. Consequently, requirements imposed by the state on county operations can have a significant or disproportionate impact on rural counties. Given the many functions of counties, RCRC strives to inform and educate policymakers about how these responsibilities will be executed in RCRC member counties.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
The County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs Division prepared this report in coordination with the Office of County Counsel and with information provided by RCRC.
FINANCING
The annual cost of membership for Monterey County in RCRC is $15,000. The cost will be prorated to the date that the RCRC Board approves Monterey County’s membership. The cost of membership in RCRC is $15,000 per fiscal year for Monterey County. If Monterey County is accepted into RCRC that amount will be pro-rated (August 14, 2019 to June 30, 2020). Funding for membership in RCRC will be considered by the Board on June 25, 2019 as part of the FY 2019-20 Budget Adoption.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Membership in RCRC will enhance the County’s ability to execute the 2019-20 Legislative Program which covers all of the Board’s Strategic Initiatives.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
þ Economic Development
þ Administration
þ Health & Human Services
þ Infrastructure
þ Public Safety
Prepared by: Annette D’Adamo, Management Analyst III
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant CAO
Date: June 14, 2019
___________________________________________ ____________________
Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer Date
Attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board
Attachment: Resolution