Chairpersons Advisory Committee

DATE: Thursday, February 28, 2008
PLACE:
County Board Room
West Square Building
Baraboo

Members present: Marty Krueger, Don Stevens, Kathy Zowin, Tim Meister, Lester Wiese, Virgil Hartje, Rose White, Paul Endres, Tommy Lee Bychinski

Others present: Joan Fordham, Judy Ashford, Rob Sinklair, Kerry Beghin, Kathy Schauf, Alene Kleczek

Chairman Krueger called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Certification that the open meeting requirement was met. Motion by Stevens, second by Hartje to adopt the agenda.
Motion carried.

Public comment

None.

Communications

None.

County Government structure and roles and responsibilities.

Judy Ashford began by giving a presentation originally prepared by the UW Extension Local Government Center describing the roles and responsibilities of County Board Supervisors compared by administrative staff. The difference between policy-making and management was discussed.

Facilitated discussion on role / responsibility of committee chairs.

Responsibility for the agenda - The difference between drafting and approving was clarified.

Running the meeting/maintaining decorum.

Notification of appointments - The importance of advance notice was noted.

Notified by committee members when not available for committee meeting(s).

Facilitating policy discussions and communicating with the Board of Supervisors

1. 1. Policy document (documentation to accompany resolutions) - Background and alternatives considered for significant and major decisions.
2. 2. Asking the hard questions - Be sure that all questions have been asked and answered at the committee level prior to County Board consideration.
3. 3. Minority opinion - Report out in policy documentation for the Board.

The Committee took a five minute break at 7:35.

Report from Executive and Legislative Committee on structure and Consideration of the draft Rules of the Board.

The Committee discussed proposed changes to the Rules of the Board. It was clarified that County Board members cannot speak during County Board meetings under public comment due to conflicts with the open meetings laws. Reconsideration or renewal of a motion was discussed at length. Committee structure revisions as developed by the Executive & Legislative Committee were explained. Motion by Hartje, second by Meister to recommend to the Executive & Legislative Committee to not combine the Finance and Personnel Committees, and to leave the Risk / Safety Manager under the Property Committee report.
Motion carried - Ayes: 5, Nayes: 4.

Motion by Bychinski, second by Wiese to adjourn.
Motion carried.