• Introduction

  The Governance Element promotes effective decision making, transparency, long-term value, accountability, and inclusivity. The Element includes a set of high-level goals and broad policies that support consistent County leadership sustained through time and succession. 

• Purpose & Principles

  Purpose

  The Governance Element:

  • Provides guidance on County decision-making processes for officials, staff, the public, and other stakeholders.
  • Commits the County to operating in a business-like manner.
  • Incorporates the concept of adding long-term value into the decision-making process.
  • Integrates the Countywide Plan into the County’s ongoing operations.
  • Links the budget process (the most tangible expression of the County’s commitments) with the long-term goals of the Countywide Plan and the Board of Supervisors’ priorities.
  • Provides for effective administration and implementation of the Countywide Plan.

  Principles

  We believe:

  • Stable, consistent, and timely governance is essential to achieving the Countywide Vision.
  • Effective governance attracts investment, which can generate more revenue for reinvestment, creating a self-sustaining cycle of prosperity.
  • Informed decision making requires a Countywide Plan that is clearly communicated from County leaders and staff to the public, transparent and easy access to information, and processes through which an informed public can participate and provide feedback.
  • We create, maintain, and grow economic value by providing efficient and effective public services and facilities necessary to support them.
  • Achievement of our long term goals facilitates a system of continuous improvement through routine, iterative tracking of progress and a feedback loop to adjust policies and activities.
  • Implementing the Countywide Plan requires the County to leverage the federal and state programs it administers and to partner with public agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.
  • Fostering a system of continuous improvement within the County organization, including continuing education, improved technology, and innovative approaches, is essential to a proactive approach and high quality public facilities and services.

Goals & Policies

Expand each goal to see related policies

• Goal GV-1 Decision Processes

  Decision making that implements the Countywide Plan in a clear and consistent manner

  Policy Policy GV-1.1 Consistency with Policies and Priorities

  We require that staff recommendations to the Board of Supervisors be consistent with: the Countywide Plan; the Board’s priorities; other County strategic plans, master plans, and other long term planning documents; and the parts of the Countywide Vision that are within the authority and responsibility of the County.

  Policy Policy GV-1.2 Long-Term Benefit

  When considering and evaluating short term opportunities, we prioritize those that best move the County towards its long-term Countywide Plan goals and adds long-term value.

  Policy Policy GV-1.3 Policy Plan Amendments

  We will consider approving amendments to the Policy Plan only when the following conditions are met:

  A. The proposed change is and will be fiscally neutral or positive.

  B. The proposed change can be adequately served by public facilities and will not negatively impact existing level of service or the ability to provide future development with County services.

  C. Amendments that do not meet the conditions in A or B above may still be considered for approval if the amendment is needed to satisfy state or federal mandates (for example: state housing laws), or to enact new policy decisions consistent with the Countywide Vision.

  Policy Policy GV-1.4 Data Use for Decisions and Regulations

  We make decisions and adopt regulations based on the best data available. In order to determine the quality of data, we evaluate the legitimacy of the data source, accuracy, timeliness, resolution, and completeness.

  Policy Policy GV-1.4 Data use for decisions and regulations

  We make decisions and adopt regulations based on the best data available. In order to determine the quality of data, we evaluate the legitimacy of the data source, accuracy, timeliness, resolution, and completeness.