6.0. SR 11-09-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

7. There is some variance among County. Committees in per diem payments for attendance. The payment or the value of per diem stipends is beyond the scope of this study, but there appears to be a lack of consistency inper diem payments. The payment for attendance for most of the County committees is $30 for citizens, but there are a few at $15 and others with no payment. 8. There are some differences between the committee structure of Sherburne County and the committee structure of some of the surrounding counties In comparing Sherburne County committees with several surrounding counties, we found more similarities than anticipated. Sherburne County does use citizens for 16 significant committees, similar to Dakota's use of 13 citizen advisory committees with commissioners and staff. Theper diem range is comparable for most ($30 - $55) with the exception of the $15 paid to those in Sherburne County's Alcohol/Drug Advisory Committee. Notable differences include the degree to which citizens are on committees by commissioner appointment as opposed to satisfactory qualifications as reflected on applications. Dakota County's application for selection includes questions on whether applicants are fi-om organized labor or special interest committees, or from a large small or minority business in selecting for the committee for the work force council. Other such specific questions are raised for other committees. In Sherburne County, there is no uniform application process. Sometimes, the only questions asked are: "Would you consider serving on the (blank) committee?", and "Can you make the meetings?" According to the County Administrator, in asking a citizen to serve, the Board of County Commissioners undoubtedly explains the mission or committee charge and would select those individuals with some knowledge of the committee's agenda. Also in this County, announcements of vacancies are published in the newspapers for the Park, Trail, and Open Space Committee, but not for the other standing committees. Announcements were also published for membership on the temporary Cox Property Committee. Other counties also offer a definite member orientation with a staffliaison. Members are made well acquainted with the committee's mission, responsibilities, expectations and means for communication. Finally, accolades go to Dakota County for the most meaningful efforts to encourage citizen participation on committees. It makes available the clearest, most useful picture in print. It spells out the full picture of their county's committee work: the application, citizen advisory membership policies, open appointments policy, as well as the list of the citizen advisory committees with number of citizens/district and contact. ANALYSIS Sherburne County obviously needs a large number of committees, because of the complicated nature of county government. It is not the purpose of this study to comment