COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager

DATE:

December 2, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 14, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

David S. Boesch, County Manager

SUBJECT:

Process For Periodic Review of San Mateo County Boards and Commissions

RECOMMENDATION:

Refer to Finance and Operations Committee for recommendation for a process to periodically review boards and commissions.

BACKGROUND:

Government Code section 31000.1 authorizes the Board of Supervisors to “appoint commissions or committees of citizens to study problems of general or special interest to the board and to make reports and recommendations to the board.” These recommendations assist the Board in its decision making process. In addition, participating as an appointed member of a board or commission provides County residents the opportunities to engage in matters of countywide concern.

Throughout the years, the Board has created over 40 boards and commissions. Some boards and commissions are mandated by state statute (e.g. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery Commission), some are established by the Charter (Civil Service), the ordinance code (Planning Commission) or by resolution. They vary in legal status in that some make legally binding decisions (e.g. Assessment Appeals Board, Licensing Board, Board of Building Permit Appeals, Civil Service Commission) while others have purely an advisory capacity to either the Board or county department (e.g. Agricultural Advisory Committee, Arts Commission).

DISCUSSION:

Last summer, the Charter Review Committee reviewed Charter section 414 which provides that County boards and commissions are those required by law and those established by ordinance. The Committee reviewed the list of existing boards and commissions and understood that the staff support and budget needed to assist all of these boards and commissions can be substantial. In addition, for some boards and commissions it can be difficult to attract citizens to serve.

In its June 29, 2010, report to the Board of Supervisors, the Committee recommended that the Charter be amended to mandate that the Board of Supervisors periodically review the existing board and commissions to determine which, if any, should be eliminated. The Board agreed with the Charter Review Committee that there should be such a review of the boards and commissions, but determined that the Charter did not need to be amended to mandate such a review. The Board would perform such a review on its own without a mandate contained in the Charter.

Because the list of boards and commissions is not only lengthy, but also diverse in subject matter, one potential method of performing the periodic review is to divide up the list of the advisory boards and commissions among the five standing committees: Criminal Justice Committee, Legislative Committee, Environmental Quality Committee, Housing, Health, and Human Services Committee and the Finance and Operations Committee. The five standing committees could periodically review the advisory boards within each of their subject areas, and then make recommendations to the full Board.

One method of triggering the review is to have a sunset provision for existing and future boards and commissions. This method was recently adopted by Marin County. In Marin County, the Board either continues these boards or commissions or allows them to automatically sunset after four (4) years. The primary points of consideration for the Marin Board in its decision to continue or sunset a board or commission include: (a) recent level of activity, (b) adherence to original mandate, (c) utilization of County resources and (d) overall effectiveness as an advisory body.

Staff recommends that the Board refer this matter to the Finance and Operations Committee to recommend to the Board a proposed methodology for the periodic review of boards and commissions.

Approval of this action will contribute to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Collaborative Community by engaging residents in participating on boards and commissions that are efficient and effective.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact associated with referring this matter to the Finance and Operations Committee.