Citizens’ Economy and Efficiency Commission The 1999–2000 Orange County Grand Jury, in pursuing avenues to better serve

R1

That Orange County Government commit itself to the concept of increasing meaningful and effective citizen participation in its policy and decision-making processes. A response to Recommendation 1 is required from the Board of Supervisors.

R2

The Orange County Board of Supervisors should create a Citizens'' Economy and Efficiency Commission with the mission of advising the Board, either by direction of the Board or through their own initiative, on matters of economy, efficiency and effectiveness of management, operations or policy within local government. This commission could be organized and operated using the following guidelines: A. Commissioners will be appointed by the Board of Supervisors. In appointing commissioners, the Board should strive to have the commission reflect the community, racial, cultural, economic and gender diversity within the county. Each Board member shall nominate four persons for appointment to the commission. The 21st member of the commission shall be a member of the newly retired grand jury selected by a majority vote of the current grand jury. The purpose of the grand jury appointment is to bring to the commission an increased understanding of the efforts undertaken by the grand jury, and to assist the commission in following up on the recommendations made by this group. If no member of the current grand jury is able to serve, or, if following appointment, becomes unable to serve, the Supervising Judge, Criminal Courts Division, Orange County Superior Court shall nominate another member of any former grand jury. The Board shall appoint individuals based on the following criteria: i. Members shall not be in a position to augment their income or promote their special interests through membership on the commission. ii. Members should be broadly representative of the community. iii. Members should be knowledgeable, active and interested in community affairs, and should be available for at least two or three half-days a month for commission and task force meetings and commission work. iv. No member of the commission shall be a county employee. The grand jury member, or other duly appointed member of any retired grand jury, shall serve a one-year term commencing September 1st and until his/her successor is duly qualified and appointed. All other members shall serve a three-year term commencing September 1st. Each member shall serve until his successor is duly qualified and appointed. The members of the commission shall serve subject to the right of the Board to remove any member at its pleasure. Commission members shall receive no compensation for attending commission or working group meetings. F. When a vacancy occurs on the commission, or upon the expiration of the term of office of any member, a successor shall be appointed by the appropriate appointing authority. When a vacancy occurs for any reason other than the expiration of a term of office, the appointee to fill such vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired term of his/her predecessor. G. The budget of the commission shall be established by the Board of Supervisors at a level adequate to enable the commission to hire staff and conduct studies in support of its mission. H. The commission shall meet not less than once a month, unless cancelled by the chairperson due to lack of a quorum or lacking sufficient business. I. The commission shall make every effort possible to insure that the interests of the public are being adequately represented in their deliberations. This may include, but not limited to, such activities as public hearings, input from a web site, surveys, etc. J. By a vote of not less than a majority of the commissioners who have been qualified and appointed, the commission shall prepare and adopt rules and regulations for the internal government of its business, including: the obligations and responsibilities of its officers and members and designating the time and place of holding its meetings, providing that such rules and regulations are not inconsistent with any applicable county ordinance or statute. A quorum shall exist if a majority of the commissioners who have been appointed and qualified are present. K. The staff of the commission shall be those individuals designated in the current salary ordinance of the county of Orange or employed by the county by contract. A response to Recommendation 2 is required from the Board of Supervisors.