HomeMy WebLinkAbout720743.tiff i f
May 23 , 1972
FINDINGS IN RESPONSE TO CHARGE BY
COUNTY COMMISS1oNERS BY TILE HOME RULE STUDY COMMITTEE
Firstly, we have addressed ourselves to the following
charge given us on January 17 , 1972 by the Board of Commis
sioners: that we were to undertake the task of determining
whether or not there was a need for a change of our form
of government, and if there was a need, would adoption of
County Home Rule be beneficial to Boulder County at this
time. In assessing the need , we were to consider the pre-
sent cost of government and the cost of government under
County Home Rule, and we were charged with determining
whether or not the present form of government was responsive
and efficient. Necessarily, we were told that if there are
deficiencies in the present form of government, we were to
inquire as to whether or not we could make any changes to '
meet those deficiencies under the present structure. With
these charges in mind the Committee reports as follows :
1. The Committee does not think that there are suf-
ficient benefits under County Home Rule to make it desir-
able for the citizens of Boulder County at this time.
2. The Committee recommends the establishment of a
standing citizen' s committee appointed by the County Com-
missioners to study and make recommendations in the area
of state legislation and constitutional reform and to
periodically review the operations of county government
and recommend improvements.
3 . The existing form of county government appears to
be satisfactory at this time, and is capable of accomodating
adjustments and improvements.
We recommend that the following improvements be made
at this time:
(a) That the Commissioners publish an agenda a reason-
able time in advance of their meetings and generally communicate
the fact that they are readily available to the citizens;
(b) That certain county offices should be open some
,r evenings and Saturdays;
(c) That the county clerk appoint a deputy clerk to
fully deal with election matters and procedures;
(d) That the budget provide for adequate legal ser-
vices for all county departments and county. officials as may be required. 4
4 . It in tho belief of a majority of the Committee that
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Findings in response to charge by
county commissioners by the home
rule study committee
Page 2
May 23, 1972
County Home Rule could substantially increase the cost of
county government.
5. We feel that the Commissioners have adequate powers
to deal with the present and immediately foreseeable problems
of county government.
6. County Home Rule could lead to substantial changes
in county government. Among these are the following :
(a) The traditional election process could be changed
in many ways. For example, under Home Rule, elections could
be partisan or non-partisan, there could be district or at-
large election of commissioners, and the date of the election
could be altered.
(b) The number of commissioners could be increased.
Any substantial increase in the number of county commissioners
would, in all likelihood, require a county manager or other
executive officer, either appointed or elected.
(c) County Home Rule would permit appointment of officials
who are now elected. It is the consensus of the Committee
that appointment of these officials would probably require a
county civil service system.
Respectfully Submitted:
Jo ephC\French, `Chairma
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