Board agrees to form ad hoc committee to review Diversity Advisory Coalition charter

Stafford County — The Board of Supervisors directed staff to move forward with establishing an ad hoc committee to review and recommend changes to the charter and bylaws of the county’s Diversity Advisory Coalition (DAC).

Donna Krause, deputy county administrator and liaison to the DAC, briefed the Board and said the packet included the DAC’s current charter and bylaws and background from 2020. The board previously discussed forming an ad hoc committee but had not finalized appointments.

Why it matters: The DAC’s charter governs what the coalition can do; supervisors said the coalition at times lacked clarity about permitted activities and whether it could carry a budget for community events. Updating the charter was described as a way to refocus the DAC on community engagement and clarify limits on authority.

Federal guidance concerns and staffing constraints Several supervisors advised caution because federal agencies and the Office of Management and Budget were expected to issue new guidance that could affect funding tied to DEI‑related programs. Supervisor Vanouch said federal guidance could arrive in 90–120 days and urged patience so the committee’s proposed charter amendments would not conflict with new federal conditions for grants.

Staffing constraints were another recurring concern. Deputy County Administrator Donna Krause and other supervisors noted the county is short‑staffed; multiple supervisors asked that the board not push heavy operational oversight onto a stretched staff team. Some supervisors suggested a short pause to allow procurement/staffing changes to settle before the ad hoc committee begins substantive work.

Board direction - Establish the ad hoc committee and appoint three supervisors to serve as members; staff was asked to bring the establishment and appointments back on a future consent agenda and to draft a charge for the committee.

- Staff were asked to notify DAC members and volunteer applicants of the board’s action and to thank unsuccessful applicants.

- Supervisors asked the ad hoc committee to review the charter with an eye to clarifying permitted activities, reporting lines and whether the DAC should have the ability to raise funds or request budget support; the committee should also consider how to avoid overlapping authority with constitutional offices.

Quotes “I would really like to just give the 3 members of this board who are willing to serve an opportunity that we would create this ad hoc committee, give you an opportunity to try and rework some sort of charter,” Donna Krause said.

“I'm not opposed to setting up the ad hoc committee but I would really like for their work to start after those agencies have put out the directives,” Supervisor Vanouch said, referring to forthcoming federal guidance.

Ending Staff will place an item on a future consent agenda to establish the ad hoc committee, propose appointments and bring back a draft charge; staff will also notify DAC volunteers and members of the board’s direction.