HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-20-1993 - VIII-E 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Action Agenda
Item No.
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: APRIL 20, 1993
SUBJECT: TASK FORCE ON THE PROCESS FOR ELECTING ORANGE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
DEPARTMENT: COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC HEARING YES: NO: X
ATTACHMENT(S) : YES INFORMATION CONTACT: MOSES CAREY
TELEPHONE NUMBER -
Hillsborough - 732-8181
Chapel Hill - 968-5401
Durham - 688-7331
Mebane - 227-2031
PURPOSE: To approve appointing a task force on the process for electing
Orange County Commissioners
BACKGROUND: A public information meeting was held in September, 1992 .
Since that time citizens have expressed an interest in looking at the
different methods for electing County Commissioners. This task force will
look at the present process to determine if it is fair and equitable and
if not to recommend changes which are necessary in order to achieve fair
and equitable representation. The charge, task force composition and
process is attached to this agenda abstract.
RECOMMENDATION(S) : Approve the charge, task force composition and process
as presented.
2
TASK FORCE ON THE PROCESS
FOR
ELECTING ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CHARGE:
1. To determine if the present process for electing
Commissioners provides fair and equitable representation
for the citizens of Orange County.
2 . If the answer to #1 is no, then what changes are
necessary to achieve fair and equitable representation?
3 . To report to the Orange County Board of Commissioners no
later than June 30, 1993 on the subject of the charge.
TASK FORCE COMPOSITION:
1. one member of the Northern Orange County NAACP
2 . one member of the Southern Orange County NAACP
3 . one member of the Orange County Commission For Women
4 . one member of the local chapter of the National
Organization For Women
5. one member of the Orange County Democratic Party
recommended by the chair person
6. one member of the Orange County Republican Party
recommended by the chair person
7 one at-large member
All members will be appointed by the Orange County Board of
Commissioners. Members must be registered to vote in Orange
County. Staff support will be provided by the County Manager's
office.
PROCESS:
1. The Task Force would be expected to hold two public
hearings in geographical convenient Orange County
locations to receive public comments on issues of fair
and equitable representation.
2 . The Task Force may consult with the staff of the
Institute of Government for legal advice on election laws
in the state and the U.S.
3 . The Task Force will produce a written report of their
findings for presentation to the BOCC by June 30, 1993 .
The Coalition for Fair Represeitation
Statement to commissioners concerning representation task force proposal
April 20, 1993
We are pleased that the commissioners are finally responding to the public's concerns
about fair representation in Orange County. We look forward to a thorough analysis of the
inequities in our current system and the opportunities that such a process will provide for
reform.
We regret that the commissioners are acting hastily in creating this task force and
thus preventing substantial citizen input concerning the make-up of the committee. It is
extremely important that this process get off on the right foot or the issue will become
even more divisive than it already is.
The committee as it is now proposed virtually ensures further frustration and
disenfranchisement. The major source of inequality in our current system is the lack of
institutionalized representation for the minority rural population. The task force proposal
gives no indication of this political reality. We have no problem with the members
proposed, but it is far from representative of the views of those who have been active on
this issue.
The issue of fair representation deserves to be dealt with in the most inclusive and
sensitive manner. We have a wonderful opportunity to build bridges among the diverse
citizenry of our county by reinventing and strengthening our government. It would be a
shame to allow hidden agendas or petty politics to fuel antagonism at this point.
Therefore we are requesting that you authorize the formation of a task force to
examine representation issues. Additionally, we ask that you invite the broad range of
community leaders involved in this issue to a meeting in order to agree on the make-up of
the task force. Let's work together to make this process as smooth as possible.
For further info:
Mark Marcoplos 933-5562
Phil Jacobson 929-3833
Betty Ibrahim 942-7898
Lee Mortimer 489-7028
Helen Urquardt 929-2651