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Elbert County commissioners ask staff for a clear process to advance guideline changes
Summary
Commissioners asked CDS and the county attorney for a clearer, repeatable process when individual commissioners bring regulatory ideas (example: time limits on approvals). The county attorney offered to provide Douglas County materials and other templates; commissioners discussed work sessions and a two‑thirds board threshold for staff to draft redline regulations.
Commissioners used the Nov. 20 work study to ask staff to clarify how board‑initiated regulatory ideas should move from concept to draft. Commissioner Michael Buck raised a specific example — imposing time limits on approvals such as zoning changes or plats — and asked what the board should expect staff to prepare when an individual commissioner raises an idea.
"When an individual commissioner has an idea like this, what would the board in total like from county staff?" Buck asked. Jennifer Jones, CDS director, said clearer direction would help staff prioritize and avoid bringing forward work that the board does not want pursued.
County Attorney Lance Engles suggested providing examples from other counties and noted that Douglas County maintains an extensive written policy manual, which he could circulate. Engles also cautioned that Elbert County is likely not ready for a full policy‑governance model and recommended tailoring smaller, practical policies or templates from comparable counties.
Commissioners discussed historical practice: staff would draft redline guideline changes and the Planning Commission would review them before the BOCC acted when a clear majority supported moving the change forward. Several commissioners said the prior board was more often in agreement and that the current board needs a repeatable mechanism — such as scheduled work sessions or a quarterly forum — to vet ideas before staff invests time drafting regulatory language.
Board next steps: Staff and the county attorney will gather example policy manuals and draft template processes (including the two‑thirds consideration for guideline changes) and present options at an upcoming work session. The discussion also identified the need to clarify which approvals (e.g., preliminary plat, zoning change) might be subject to time limits and the practical consequences if such time limits expire.
