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Commissioner Davis had found the COPO very beneficial in the past particularly <br /> when he was on the School Board . <br /> From his experience , however, Vice Chairman Neuberger felt that COPO was just <br /> a nice social get-together . <br /> Commissioner Bowden thought the COPO was outstanding when chaired by <br /> former Commissioner Caroline Ginn . She suggested that staffing could come from the <br /> committee Chairman ' s organization . <br /> Commissioner Wheeler expressed concern about the Sunshine Law when serving <br /> on a committee and the prohibitions of speaking with others on the committee about issues that <br /> might come before the committee . <br /> County Attorney Will Collins explained restrictions under the Sunshine Law with <br /> regard to members of committees . <br /> Vice Chairman Neuberger noted that the biggest problem with the Sunshine Law is <br /> that the legislators can do whatever they want . <br /> Discussion was held as to staffing requirements of the committees . <br /> Joe Barczyk, Vice Mayor of Sebastian, supported retention of COPO . <br /> Commissioner Davis agreed that staffing could come from the COPO ' s <br /> Chairman ' s office to alleviate some of the work that the County ' s staff is doing, but this would <br /> not address the Sunshine Law concerns . <br /> Chairman Lowther understood that City of Vero Beach Mayor Tom White is now <br /> the Chairman of COPO and his office could take the minutes . <br /> County Administrator Baird noted that the Utilities Advisory Committee required <br /> the most staff time ; it was constituted to make rate increase recommendations and has served its <br /> purpose . Also , he pointed out that the County is the only member on the Health Committee that <br /> is not in the health business and the Sunshine Law precludes their members from speaking <br /> outside their meetings with Commissioner Bowden . <br /> February 1 , 2005 23 <br />