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Access and Opportunity staff recommend appointments to Advisory Council on Racial Equity; members’ onboarding and staggered terms discussed
Summary
The Access and Opportunity director summarized seven openings on the Advisory Council on Racial Equity (ACRE), the subcommittee screening process used written responses in place of interviews, and commissioners raised questions about staggered terms and onboarding for members with limited government experience.
A county director briefed commissioners on seven openings and a round of recommended appointments for the Advisory Council on Racial Equity, and commissioners discussed onboarding, member experience and the council’s staggered‑term schedule.
Alicia Sojourner, director of Access and Opportunity, told the board the 15‑member council advises on racial justice and equity within county programs and that members typically have lived experience of racial injustice or professional experience serving communities affected by racial inequity. The county’s membership subcommittee reviewed applicants and, because the committee met frequently while the council was busy, asked applicants to answer three interview questions by written response, telephone oral response or video. The subcommittee scored applicants and forwarded the top four for consideration; three additional members sought reappointment.
Sojourner said the term structure for the new appointees is three years. Commissioners raised concerns that several seats would expire in 2027, producing a large turnover at once, and asked about plans to stagger renewals to provide continuity.
Commissioners also asked how staff would assess applicants’ government experience and whether ACRE should prioritize people with prior government or policy advising experience. Sojourner and other staff said ACRE can serve as an onboarding pathway for residents who lack government experience but bring community knowledge; staff and existing members can provide onboarding support and mentorship. Commissioner comments emphasized the difference between community advocacy and advising government on policy implementation and suggested refining application questions to evaluate candidates’ experience advising on policy and program implementation.
No formal appointment vote occurred at the meeting; staff said they would move recommended reappointments and new members forward for the board to consider at the scheduled appointment meeting.
