Board & Commission Discussion at Audit & Finance

[Ryan Alter]

Colleagues,
In December the Council unanimously passed Resolution No. 20241212-133, which directed a review of our Boards and Commissions as a part of our overall good governance efforts over the past year. The goal of the resolution was to improve the effectiveness of these bodies and address any overlap in mission, issues with attendance, and staff time necessary for their functioning, as well as establish a routine process to review each board or commission to ensure it is still serving its intended purpose.

Within this resolution, we made a set of suggestions for consolidating boards and commissions with similar scope and eliminate ones that are inactive. As a part of the Council direction, we also asked for feedback from our staff and the public, including those boards and commissions that are affected. With much of this feedback now received, I would like to offer a narrower set of recommendations for consideration at the February 19th Audit & Finance Committee meeting:
http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 120610.pdf

If you have any ideas, thoughts, or concerns ahead of considering this item at Audit and Finance on February 19, please feel free to share here so we can continue to make this process as open and transparent as possible.

Thanks,
Ryan

[Natasha Harper-Madison]

Colleagues,
I want to extend my gratitude to Council Member and Vice Chair Ryan Alter for working with our office and for his responsiveness to concerns regarding the proposed consolidation of the African American Resource Advisory Commission and the Austin Rosewood Community Development Corporation (the body primarily tasked with stewardship of the Millenium Youth Entertainment Center) we collectively appreciate the removal of this recommendation.

Additional consolidation concerns include:
1. The proposed consolidation of the Urban Transportation Commission and Resource Management Commission
2. The proposed consolidation of the CTTC (Community Technology & Telecommunications) and Economic Development Commissions

I appreciate all efficiency efforts and the ongoing commitment to ensuring our boards and commissions are structured to best serve our communities and empower our tireless volunteers.
That said, as we move forward with these changes, I would like to better understand what transition plan, if any, is in place to ensure that impacted boards and commissions have the support and guidance needed to continue their critical work effectively. It’s important that we approach these adjustments with clarity and intentionality for continuity, accessibility and responsiveness.
In Peace,
NHM