Gwinnett commissioners repeal Community Outreach Advisory Board ordinance, cite staff consolidation

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 4 approved a resolution repealing the ordinance that established the county’s Community Outreach Advisory Board in December 2018.

County Attorney Michael Legmasak told commissioners the advisory board was created in 2018 to advise on volunteer opportunities, engage diverse community stakeholders and help connect residents to county services through festivals, forums and other programs. He said the county’s outreach and volunteer programs have since been consolidated under the Civic Engagement and Social Impact Division of the Department of Community Services and are now staffed to perform those duties administratively.

“This approach would not have the additional requirements associated with convening a formal board, allowing for more timely action by our employees and the ability to engage directly with a broader segment of the local community beyond the members of the advisory board,” Legmasak said on the record.

Commissioners moved to approve the resolution (agenda item 20 25 1 13) and approved it by voice vote; no opposition was recorded on the transcript. The repeal means the formal advisory board created in December 2018 will no longer exist by ordinance, and the county intends to use less formal or more flexible means to seek public input on outreach and volunteer programs going forward.

The presentation did not identify any required follow-up reports, transition timeline, or specific alternatives for public input; those details were not specified on the record.