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Commissioners debate structure, terms and chair for consolidated human services advisory board
Summary
Commissioners discussed forming a consolidated human services advisory committee that would combine health board and DSS roles; staff proposed a 16-member board, 3-year staggered terms and the consolidated director serving as chair; decisions were deferred pending hires and final framework.
County staff outlined options for a consolidated Human Services Advisory Committee that would merge the county health board and the Department of Social Services (DSS) advisory membership.
Staff recommended a 16-member committee to reflect the statutory 11-member health board plus five DSS seats. The presentation noted some health-board statutorily defined roles are currently unfilled and that, where professions are not available (for example, optometrist), the county has filled positions with public members consistent with statute.
Discussion points included term length and staggering (staff suggested three-year terms with initial staggering), meeting frequency (health requested every-other-month meetings; most advisory boards meet quarterly but staff recommended bimonthly early in consolidation), and who should serve as chair. Several commissioners and staff recommended the consolidated director (the county’s future consolidated health director) serve as chair to provide consistent meeting administration. Commissioners also discussed continuing stipends for members ($35 per meeting; $50 for a chair) and whether all advisory members should be paid if the board continues that practice.
Staff emphasized the board must finalize the framework by next month to meet an intended Nov. 1 implementation date and said the incoming consolidated director should help finalize bylaws. The board did not take a formal vote on structure or membership at this meeting but directed staff to prepare for decisions at the next meeting.
