County staff told commissioners it is preparing a review of more than a dozen advisory boards and committees that provide volunteer oversight or advice to county government and recommended updating the chartering resolutions for several long-standing bodies.
Staff said the review aims to clarify purpose, membership and staff roles, and to ensure committees are focused on activities that best use volunteers' time and expertise. Boards and committees identified for possible revision include:
- Airport Board (chartered 1979): staff proposed refocusing some membership toward strategic and business planning rather than day-to-day operational matters.
- Marijuana Excise Tax Advisory Board (charter not updated since 2017): staff recommended revising the board's role now that excise revenues are smaller and the grant/distribution model has evolved.
- Visitors Bureau (chartered 1991): municipalities have requested greater representation and staff suggested locating the original charter and updating bylaws and membership to reflect current regional tourism partnerships.
- Common Ground Advisory Board (chartered 2019), Chaffee Heritage Area Advisory Board (2004), and Transportation Advisory Board (2008): staff noted many of the duties historically assigned to volunteers are now supported by professional staff in planning, natural resources and economic development. The recommendation is to clarify where boards provide strategic direction versus where staff operationalize projects.
Staff also raised the potential to create a sustainability committee to help implement county and regional sustainability initiatives and to provide public advisement as grant-funded programs transition into regular operations.
Staff asked for direction and signaled intent to return with specific proposed updates and draft charter language so the board could consider recruiting for seats in the upcoming appointment cycle.
Ending: Commissioners expressed support for a methodical review, asked for staff to bring specific proposed resolution edits and recruitment plans to a future meeting, and emphasized the need to coordinate municipal and county priorities when updating representation on regional boards.