Board formalizes standing reparations committee, ad hoc role declared complete

During the retreat staff and county counsel clarified the status of the reparations work. County counsel reported that the ad hoc committee that produced a draft plan has effectively completed its task and "sunset," and the board has directed that the work continue through a standing committee. The board president will name members to that standing committee by Sept. 15 so the group can transition to monitoring and implementing selected recommendations.

County counsel told the board: "The committee on reparations, the ad hoc committee has sunset because its task was to receive reports on the creation of the draft plan which has been done." Supervisors said the next phase will be to inventory which recommendations are already being implemented by county programs, which need new action, and which require additional funding or policy choices. The board did not adopt or commit to all recommendations at the retreat; it asked that the standing committee develop a work plan and report back.