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MAY I I IPQI <br />BOOK 89 Fmu.495 <br />Commissioner Macht explained that the purpose of this <br />ordinance is to prohibit Commissioners from voting on advisory <br />boards and committees on which they are chairmen. He felt that the <br />chairman of a public advisory board should simply direct meetings <br />and obtain input from the public. Also, this would avoid the <br />embarrassment of a Commissioner voting one way based on the <br />information that is presented at the advisory board meeting, and <br />then discovering later at the public hearings that the situation <br />demands a different vote. Commissioner Macht emphasized that <br />having a vote implies a disproportionate amount of power on the <br />part of Commissioners. He pointed out that the Chairman of the BCC <br />votes but does not generally make motions or second them. <br />Commissioner Tippin felt that Commissioner Macht should have <br />had an open discussion with his fellow Commissioners before <br />directing staff to perform research and prepare a draft ordinance. <br />Although he did not object to this particular ordinance, he did not <br />see any evidence that the Commissioners have abused their roles as <br />committee chairmen. His concern with adopting an ordinance like <br />this is that it creates the appearance of a problem where no <br />problem exists. <br />Chairman Bird did not recall ever serving on an advisory <br />committee or board where the chairman did not have the ability to <br />vote. He felt that Commissioners can exert their influence <br />regardless of whether they are permitted to vote. He did not see <br />a problem with voting one way at an advisory board meeting and a <br />different way at a BCC meeting. For example, he might vote one way <br />as chairman of the Parks & Recreation Committee. When the Parks & <br />Recreation Committee presents a request to the Board for approval, <br />the Commissioners must weigh it against numerous other requests. <br />This might result in a different vote, particularly on budget <br />requests. <br />Chairman Eggert doubted that not having a vote takes away <br />influence. <br />Commissioner Adams felt that Commissioners should be more than <br />facilitators. They should play a leadership role and let other <br />committee members know where they stand on issues. The chairman of <br />a committee is expected to assume some responsibility, which <br />includes voting. Further, she did not believe that ethics can•be <br />legislated.- She pointed out that advisory boards and committees <br />have five to seven members and a Commissioner can be outvoted at <br />any time. <br />Commissioner Macht clarified that it was not his intent to <br />legislate ethics, but he felt that standards of acceptable conduct <br />should be established. <br />30 <br />