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Douglas County proposes mandatory 8‑hour training for advisory boards, staff proposes new organizational development specialist
Summary
County administration recommended a standardized eight‑hour training program for appointed advisory board and committee members, with an accountability deadline and a proposed organizational development specialist to manage training and related organizational development work; commissioners requested clarifications about applicability and curriculum.
County administration presented a plan to standardize training for all advisory boards and committees, proposing an eight‑hour workshop (four pillars: government structure; legal and ethical duties; meeting procedures; board‑specific operations) and deadlines for current and newly appointed members.
Tiffany Stewart Stanley (county administration) said the program would include guidance on the Open Meetings Act, conflicts of interest, parliamentary procedure and public engagement, and that the county would provide a training handbook and multiple session dates (May 21, July 23, Oct. 29 and Dec. 14) for 2026. The proposal includes an accountability mechanism that could lead to suspension or non‑reappointment of members who do not complete required training unless a reasonable exemption is granted.
Staff also recommended creating an organizational development specialist role to run the training program and support leadership development across county departments. Stanley said the proposed salary range under discussion was roughly $70,000 to $80,000, excluding benefits, and described the role as providing coaching, onboarding, curriculum development and facilitation.
Board reaction and questions: Several commissioners supported the training but asked for clarifying edits and for explicit inclusion of bodies such as the Personnel Review Board. Commissioners proposed adding term limits for committee chairs (suggested two‑year maximums to encourage rotation) and requested the ability to review the training curriculum and a clear list of covered boards. Commissioners also asked that at least one training session be scheduled on a weekend to accommodate working volunteers.
Next steps: Staff said they would refine the curriculum and applicability language, include explicit references to key boards on the list, and return with the position approval and final curriculum for board review.
