Title
Chief Administrative Office, based on the Board's direction on March 10, 2026 (Legistar file 26-0330), recommending the Board:
1) Approve revisions to Board Policy A-3 - Ordinances - New or Amended, updating language regarding conceptual approval for minor amendments to current ordinances; and
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 068-2025, giving authority to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Assistant CAO to execute Right of Entry Agreements and Agreements for the Use of County Facilities.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
At the Board’s Good Governance Workshop on September 26, 2025 (Legistar file 25-0795), the Board requested that staff return with a discussion identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, transparency, and public engagement. On November 18, 2025 (Legistar file 25-1864), the Clerk of the Board and the Chief Administrative Office brought an item to discuss the above and the Board directed the Chief Administrative Office to return to the Board with additional recommendations for adjustments that may improve efficiency at regular Board meetings. The Chief Administrative Office returned with that discussion on March 10, 2026 (Legistar file 26-0330). That discussion included potential revisions that could be made to Board Policy A-1 - Development and Distribution of Board of Supervisors Policies, Board Policy A-3 - Ordinances-New or Amended, Board Policy B-1 - Budget Control and Responsibility, and Board Policy B-16 - Budget Policies. The Board directed staff to move forward with the revisions to all recommended changes besides revising Board Policy A-1.
Today’s item brings forward the recommended changes to Board Policy A-3 - Ordinances-New or Amended. The Policy, as it currently stands, requires conceptual review and Board authorization prior to the development of any new or amended ordinance. While this process ensures transparency and alignment with Board priorities, it can also delay the implementation of minor or technical amendments that do not substantively alter the intent or function of an existing ordinance. Staff have incorporated the changes directed by the Board on Policy A-3 to include an exemption from conceptual review and authorization for minor amendments to existing ordinances. This change allows staff to proceed directly to ordinance drafting for routine updates, such as correcting references, clarifying language, or making non-substantive adjustments. All ordinance amendments must still come to the Board for final approval.
On that March 10, 2026, Board meeting, staff also brought forward a Resolution to authorize the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Assistant CAO to execute Right of Entry Agreements and Agreements for the Use of County Facilities on behalf of the County. At that time, the Board directed staff to make changes to the drafted Resolution to include language that states that all agreements executed under this delegated authority shall be brought forward to the Board annually. Staff have made the changes and are bringing it forward with this item.
The Board’s recommended changes to the two budget-related policies (Board Policy B-1 - Budget Control and Responsibility and Board Policy B-16 - Budget Policies) are still being revised and will be brought to the Board at a later date.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to adopt and authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution, and the Board could choose not to approve the revisions to Board Policy A-3 - Ordinances - New or Amended.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar file 25-0795 - September 26, 2025 - Good Governance Workshop
Legistar file 25-1864 - November 18, 2025 - The Board directed staff to return to the Board with efficiency adjustment recommendations.
Legistar file 26-0330 - March 10, 2026 - Staff recommended that signature delegation for access agreements and changes to Board Policy A-1 - Development and Distribution of Board of Supervisors Policies, Board Policy A-3 - Ordinances-New or Amended, Board Policy B-1 - Budget Control and Responsibility, and Board Policy B-16 - Budget Policies could provide efficiencies at regular Board meetings.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain the Chair’s signature on the Resolution and post the updated Policy A-3 to the Board of Supervisors webpage.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Grant Webber, Acting Principal Management Analyst