Who says you can’t turn the clock back?

Feb. 10, 2009

Recognizing that the new County Commission meeting schedule reduces public access, Commissioner Kitty Jung requested that County Manager Katy Simon provide data showing how the new 10:00 a.m. meeting schedule compares to the previous 2:00 p.m. schedule in terms of efficiency and cost. Jung further requested data comparing a twice a month meeting schedule with the long standing three a month, recognizing this would also reduce public access.

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Who says you can’t turn the clock back?

January 27, 2009

Washoe County Board of Commissioners proved that you can turn the clock back. With a 5 to 0-vote, the Commissioners voted to return to the BAD old days. Their 5 to 0 vote returns the Commission’s meeting time to regular business hours. Ignoring their counsel’s report that the current hours were put into effect to make the meetings more accessible to the public.

In the bad old days, the meeting schedule was a complaint frequently heard from many people. In 1993, initiated by Commissioner Steve Bradhurst, the Commission made the schedule more accommodating to the public.

This agenda item was initiated at the Commission's most recent Retreat.

Commissioner Kitty Jung stated that she is “always happy to experiment!”

Commissioner Bonnie Weber stated; “I think starting at 10:00 a.m. is a good thing” and “I think we need to come up with a plan today.”

Washoe County Manager, Katy Simon pointed out that a Commission meeting cost approximately $7,500.00 and that cost certainly adds up over a year.
The $7,500.00 cost included herself, Special Counsel, Clerk, Deputy Sheriff, staff and lights.

Commissioner David Humke pointed out that Manager Katy Simon had been discussing with him for some time and others consolidating the three meetings and having just two.
Though most commissioners briefly expressed some interest in reducing meetings to accommodate Manager Katy Simon, the commissioners quickly went in another direction.

One stated reason offered for these changes was that there would be a cost savings in overtime. Commissioner Kitty Jung pointed out; any cost savings would be minimal, since most overtime is paid to planners from the Planning Department. Under this new meeting schedule, overtime will still be paid to the planners.

One accomplishment is the reduction of evening hours for the commissioners and possibly a few members of staff.

The new, perhaps temporary, schedule

That portion of the meeting officially considered, as “Public Hearings” will start at 6:00p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays. The Third Tuesday is designed for apperances and presentations only, and will generally not have any regular agenda items during the meeting.

The Commission’s newest member, John Breternitz expressed interest in the last meeting having aspects of a Workshop.

Future meeting schedules may again be modified after further evaluation.

Is this actually a return to the BAD old days? Only time will tell. There is a slight reduction in public access and now that they are tinkering there are only two directions they can go, return the starting times to 2:00 p.m. or reduce public access more.

© 2009 Barry Bouchard

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Retreat:
retreat n. 1. The act or process of withdrawing, especially from something hazardous, formidable, or unpleasant. 2. A place affording peace, quiet, privacy. 3. A period of seclusion, retirement, or solitude. 4. A period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, and study.

When Elected Office Holders hold meetings somewhere other than their normal location and away from the public they call it a RETREAT.

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