HomeMy WebLinkAbout031422cbs01 JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Adiel McKnight, Executive Assistant
DATE: March 14, 2022
SUBJECT: PROCLAMATION re: Declaring the Week of March 14,2022 as
Sunshine Week
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The Board will consider approval of the proclamation declaring the week of March 14, 2022 as Sunshine
Week. The Board commits to continuing to enhance the public's access to government records and
information provided electronically and online, and to ensure that all meetings of deliberative bodies under its
jurisdiction, and their committees, are fully noticed and open to the public; and we encourage all people to
join in observing the importance of transparency and openness in a free society.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Proclamation re: Declaring the Week of March 14, 2022 as Sunshine Week.
REVIEWED BY:
ark McCau e Interim County Admi 'ist for LYate
PROCLAMATION
SUNSHINE WEEK
WHEREAS, James Madison, the father of our federal Constitution, wrote that "consent of the
governed" requires that the people be able to "arm themselves with the power which knowledge
gives"; and
WHEREAS, an open and accessible government is vital to establishing and maintaining the people's
trust and confidence in their government and in the government's ability to effectively serve the
people; and
WHEREAS, the protection of every person's right of access to public records and government
meetings is a high priority of Jefferson County, Washington; and
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) is committed to openness and
transparency in all aspects of county government and seeks to set a high standard in this regard;
WHEREAS, in compliance with the Governor' s Proclamation 20-28 dated March 16, 2020, Jefferson
County will conduct all public meetings subject to the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42. 30
RCW, via teleconferencing and/ or video conferencing.
WHEREAS, Jefferson County will not hold in-person public meetings nor provide a physical location
for the public to listen to or observe the meeting unless the Governor rescinds or modifies
Proclamation 20-28 to allow us to do so. In the meantime, the County will provide public access via
telephone, and other electronic, internet or other means of remote access that will provide
the ability for all persons attending the meeting to hear each other at the same time.
NOW THEREFORE, Jefferson County will live-stream the Board of County Commissioner meetings
when possible, and possibly other County committee meetings to which OPMA applies, for the public
to view via AV Capture All which may be accessed on the County' s website at
www.cojefferson.wa.us. Jefferson County will also provide a Zoom link and telephone number for
individuals to call, which will allow them to view and/or listen to open public meetings and may, at its
discretion, allow public comments either verbally and/or by email or other written form for those open
public meetings.
NOW THEREFORE, As an additional means for taking public comments, when allowed, during
meetings of the Board of County Commissioners, individuals may submit public comments to
Jefferson County via email at publiccomments(a co.jelferson.wa.us prior to the start of the meeting.
County staff will read the comments for up to the time limit per person established by the
Commissioners.
NOW THEREFORE, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners joins members of the news
media and many jurisdictions throughout Washington State and our nation in proclaiming the week of
March 14-18, 2022, which includes the anniversary of the birth of James Madison, a founder of our
federal constitution, as
SUNSHINE WEEK
And during this Sunshine Week and throughout the year, the BoCC commits to continuing to enhance
the public's access to government records and information, to increase information provided
electronically and online, and to ensure that all meetings of deliberative bodies under its jurisdiction,
and their committees, are fully noticed and open to the public; and we encourage all people to join us
in observing the importance of transparency and openness in a free society.
PROCLAIMED this 14th day of March, 2022.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SEAL:
Heidi Eisenhour, Chair
ATTEST:
Kate Dean, Member
Carolyn Gallaway, CMC
Clerk of the Board
Greg Brotherton, Member