Committee approves change letting sponsoring committees amend established policies

The Rules and Strategic Planning Standing Committee voted to recommend a resolution to the Richland County Board to amend the county's policy-establishment document to add authority for sponsoring committees, boards and commissions to amend established policies and to expand responsibilities for policy custodians.

The change, presented by staff member Peter Langrick, would allow a sponsoring committee to amend some types of established county policy without returning the change to the full county board for a separate resolution. Langrick said the draft adds "expanded responsibilities to the administrative custodian" and "expanded authorities to the sponsoring committee, board or commission." He described the change as allowing committees to make non-substantial changes such as correcting typos and formatting, while reserving major, purpose-changing amendments for the county board.

The committee discussed limits on that delegated authority. Supervisor Gentis asked for examples and clarifications about what the custodian could change without board action. Langrick said custodial changes would include posting and disseminating the changes, and providing administrative interpretation when questions arise. "If we caught a word typo," he said, "then we can go ahead and change that in the next meeting." He added that amendments "beyond the purpose of the original policy" or beyond the sponsoring committee's authority would be deferred back to the county board.

Supervisor Frank moved to recommend the resolution to the county board; the motion carried by voice vote.

Committee members emphasized that initial adoption of a new policy would still require county board action, and that the custodian's role includes notifying departments and posting changes so departments are aware of policy updates.