Previews - upcoming items - and Reviews - a wrap up - of the last Board meeting posted every Thursday
The following provides a list of selected highlights from the Board agenda, and is not meant to be an exhaustive list of the entire agenda. Please check out the Cyberagenda for copies of these reports and others.
Previews
Upcoming Items for the Board meeting on August 14th
- Update on County Innovation Programs
- Appointments to be Made for Law Library & Workforce Investment Board
- Employee of the Month to be Honored
Reviews
Wrap up of the last Board meeting on August 7th
- Volunteers Program Grand Jury Response Adopted
- Community Plan Update Strategy Considered
- Parks Funding Measure Set for November ballot
- Immunization Feed Changed
- Appointments Made for Disaster Council and Library Commission
Previews
1. Update on County Innovation Programs
Last year, the County launched several pilot programs designed to promote and reward innovative ideas with the goal of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of Marin County government services, lowering ongoing costs, and creating staffing efficiencies. The Board will hear an update on the second round of the Innovation Grants Program, which awarded $73,157 in one-time funds for three separate projects that are estimated to achieve $100,000 in annual on-going savings as well as considerable amounts of staff time. Projects included a new electronic ticketing system for Marin Center events, a new records management and training system for the Fire Department, and electronic poll books for the Elections Department.
Need more info? See the Full Report on the Innovations Programs
Contact: Mike Aycock, County Administrator’s Office at maycock@marincounty.org
2. Appointments to be Made for Law Library & Workforce Investment Board
Need more info?
Contact: Clerk of the Board staff at BOS@marincounty.org
3. Employee of the Month to be Honored
At 1:30 pm, the Board will honor Victoria Gould with the Employee of the Month award. Victoria has worked in the District Attorney’s Office for the past 17 years. Whether heading up the records department, subpoenaing witnesses, or running files to court, Victoria has consistently proven her ability to resolve problems calmly, quickly, and competently.
Need more info?
Contact: Geoffrey Iida, Deputy District Attorney at giida@marincounty.org
Reviews
4. Volunteers Program Grand Jury Response Adopted
On May 29th, the Marin County Civil Grand Jury published a report entitled: “Civic Center Volunteers Program – The Goose That Lays the Golden Egg”, which included a number of findings and recommendations related to how the County manages its volunteers program. Per the requirements of state law, the Board adopted a formal response to the report.
Need more info? See the Staff Report to the Grand Jury Report or Draft Board Response to the Grand Jury Report
Contact: Diane Ooms, Human Resources Department at dooms@marincounty.org
5. Community Plan Update Strategy Considered
Sixteen communities in Marin County are presently guided by community plans containing area-specific policies related to issues like land use, design, and environmental quality. Due to current budget and staffing constraints, the Board authorized a strategic approach to efficiently developing or updating these plans. Particular emphasis would be placed on those communities demonstrating interest and commitment to such a process.
Need more info? See the Full Report on the Community Plan Update Strategy
Contact: Jack Liebster, Principal Planner at jliebster@marincounty.org
6. Parks Funding Measure Set for November ballot
On Wednesday, July 25th, the Board held a special meeting and okayed revisions to an ordinance and spending plan that will place a countywide ¼ cent sales tax increase on the November 6th ballot to fund parks, open space and agricultural land preservation in Marin County. After conducting a final hearing, the Board gave the final go-ahead in order to bring the measure to Marin voters in November.
Need more info? See the Full Report on the Parks Funding Measure
Contact: Katherine Jones, External Affairs Coordinator of Marin County Parks at kmjones@marincounty.org
7. Immunization Fee Changed
On July 24th, the Board took the first step in authorizing a change in the fee that is charged for immunizations to ensure they are consistent with Medi-Cal reimbursement rates. Federal law prohibits clinics from charging clients less than the amount paid by Medi-Cal for that service. The current fee to administer a vaccine to those with an ability to pay is $10, and staff proposes to increase that fee to $17. After conducting a final hearing, the Board authorized the fee change.
Need more info? See the Full Report on Revised Immunization Fee Schedule
Contact: Karen Wuopio, Public Health Program Manager at kwupio@marincounty.org
8. Appointments Made for Disaster Council and Library Commission
Need more info?
Contact: Clerk of the Board staff at BOS@marincounty.org
Here is how the county can save a few bucks. Take away the Supervisors personal "Slush fund". The Supervisors have voted themselves a "slush fund" of $350,000 that they can spend however they wish, with no need for approval by no one but themselves. Below is a paragraph from the Marin IJ, with the website of the whole article, stating the Grand Jury opinion of the "slush fund". "The $350,000 discretionary account, criticized by the civil grand jury as "political patronage," survived in the budget as a perk used by individual supervisors to fund charities, nonprofit organizations and other programs." http://www.marinij.com/sanrafael/ci_20884524/marin-supervisors-set-approve-budget-wednesday
The Marin IJ published the following May 27, 2012 "The county board's personal grant program benefiting civic programs, charity efforts and educational endeavors — called a community service by supervisors but condemned as a political "slush fund" by critics — totaled $74,685 during March, April and May. (For the record this is the 3 months before the election.) No other county board in the Bay Area has such a taxpayer-funded account, which enables supervisors to spend as they wish. They routinely approve a list of account expenses without public discussion on a "consent calendar" of business. The board has allocated more than $4 million through the fund over the past decade. The Marin civil grand jury has criticized the perk as "political patronage" designed to nurture political favor, and former assemblywoman Kerry Mazzoni joined others in calling it a "slush fund." "Alliances are created and favors curried by reason of such payments," the 2001 grand jury concluded after a probe."
If the slush fund is not being abolished, each check given to the special interest group and/or nonprofit from the Supevisor, the Supervisor needs to state, "This is the people's money (your tax dollars) that we are allocating to you. This is not from my personal checkbook." If the $350,000 were given to the Public Schools, that would be the end of that AND be a great cause. If we don't put proper funding into our public schools we will be in trouble, not that we aren't already.
Abolish the slush funds! Boot the Board!