It has often been noted that the EDC government has a weak link in top management as the department heads answer to the BOS rather then a centralized person like the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).

A recent evaluation noted these problems:
1) No one person is responsible for the success or failure of private development review;
2) Under current system, the CAO serves as the staff coordinator/link to the Board of Supervisors;
3) Current structure has diffused responsibility between Dept. Heads and therefore no one person is held accountable;
4) Board members go directly to staff for answers on permit issues in response to public inquiries – five CEO’s running the County.
5) Board needs to deal with policy, not day-to-day operations;
6) Communication breakdown is compounded when outside agencies in the development process are involved (EID, Fire Districts, state and Fed Agencies, CSD’s, etc).

These recommendations have been made:

1) Re-structure/empower CAO to have hire/fire authorization over Dept. Heads. similar to CEO structure in private sector (requires Charter Amendment);

2) Create real “one-stop shop” process. Better coordination needed. Have DS and DOT with a Dept. Head working through the Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACAO) as a “caseworker”;

3) Have Economic Development Director report directly to ACAO;

4) Hire ACAO that is familiar with land development and function similar to Assistant City Manager position with responsibility over all permits along with other specified CAO duties.

On March 25th, County Staff made the following recommendations.

1) Prepare a budget for FY 08-09 to transfer DOT (permits & Land Development) to the Development Services Department (DS).

2) Begin recruitment for an ACAO and a DS Dept Head that both have extensive land development experience.

3) Return to the Board with a structure for an AD Hoc Committee to address General Plan implementation.

4) Direct that the backlog be reduced with re-assignment of existing staff and use of contract staff as necessary.

5) Return to the Board with steps necessary to amend the Charter to provide for a CEO form of government prior to convening the Charter review Committee.

A motion was made by Sup. Sweeney, 2nd by Sup. Santiago to conceptually approve staff's recommendation and direct the Chief Administrative Officer to return to the Board on April 29, 2008 with organizational charts, costs, and fee structures and include operational, management, training plans, and timing of implementation.

See the Full Report Here:
http://www.thebaweb.com/ppt/032508.ppt