DATE:
April 22, 2025
09
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT:
Title
ADVANCING TRANSPARENCY AND ENGAGEMENT BY EXTENDING AGENDA REVIEW TIME (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
Body
OVERVIEW
Details
The County of San Diego's (County) Board of Supervisors (Board) holds regular bi-weekly sessions to address a wide range of community matters, enabling informed discussions, decision-making, and public participation. Meeting agendas are made available to the public in advance, in compliance with legal requirements, promoting transparency and inclusivity. However, there is an opportunity to enhance transparency and accessibility by extending the time for stakeholders to access and analyze agenda items. Other jurisdictions follow similar practices, allowing the public more time for review and input.
For residents of unincorporated areas, attending Board meetings at the County Administration Center (CAC) presents significant challenges. The drive alone can take over three hours, particularly during peak traffic hours, to arrive by the 9:00 AM start time. Public transportation is often not a viable alternative, as limited routes connecting rural communities to downtown San Diego require multiple transfers and result in travel times that also exceed three hours. Additionally, some bus and trolley services begin operating only shortly before the start of Board meetings, making it nearly impossible for residents to arrive on time. Residents who work traditional business hours must also request time off, creating financial and logistical burdens, particularly for hourly workers. Despite remote alternatives like calling in and submitting electronic comments, challenges remain for backcountry residents during Public Safety Power Shutoffs. The inability to participate in real-time limits their engagement and effective communication, significantly restricting public involvement in the decision-making process.
By extending the agenda review period, residents would have more time t...
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