Clark County Charter Review Commission Town Hall

0:00 and welcome to getting audio in the room from this microphone yes they were earlier testing and they they have everything tested okay can you hear me in the room perfect good morning welcome to the Clark County Charter Review Commission's District 1 Town Hall my name is Patrick Adegweme I am one of your elected Charter Review Commissioners from District 1 I am Anne Donnelly a Charter Review Commissioner District 1 as well thank you for being here okay so today we're just going to move through a presentation then we'll make time for audience questions and then have some discussion so just the standard Town Hall format and as folks trickle

0:59 what we can pause and go back as need be but yeah we'll go ahead and get started so just a quick disclaimer all of the content that we're going to present today is from the neutral standpoint as we're here on behalf of the Charter Review Commission it will not involve our personal opinions or politics so the Charter Review Commission is comprised of 15 elected commissioners three from each of the five County Councilor districts and today we are in District 1 so this Town Hall the goal is to inform you about the process and proposed amendments on the ballot answer any questions about the Commission's work receive feedback about the process and the amendments we're not here to advocate for or against any specific amendments or to provide any commentary on the suggestions or comments moving forward the Charter Review Commission again is a 15 member elected body was elected in November of 2025 with three members from

1:59 each County Council District the Charter Review Commission is empowered to propose consider and place amendments on the ballot to revise the Charter there are nine such amendments which have been proposed for the 2026 ballot and there are some voters pamphlets on a table by the door here in the library so feel free to pick one up on your way out if you haven't received yours at home already and are curious about what the actual language is in the pamphlet for each of those amendments amendments to the Charter may be adopted without a majority vote of the people and the Commission determines where or sorry what is on the ballot for voters to approve or reject in this cycle so what did that process look like and started of spring and started in spring of 2026 we had initial proposals that were presented to the Commission by individual commissioners that was our first reading process five affirmative votes were needed to move those forward they went to a second reading with eight affirmative votes needed to move those forward we revised

2:58 refined and presented a more detailed summary of the proposals and that time those went through a committee study process where committees were formed to analyze the proposals revise them seek any feedback from affected departments of the county and other stakeholders and seek feedback from the prosecuting attorney's office and financial services that brought us to a committee presentation where the committee's presented their final proposal to the Commission the Commission debated those proposals and it needed eight affirmative votes to move forward from that step then from there the successful proposals went to drafting our drafting committee finalized them into an appropriate format which was then reviewed by the prosecuting attorney's office all of those final proposals went to a final vote and eight votes were needed to send those to the ballot for voter approval which takes us to where we are now with those being placed on the ballot for a

3:58 the 2026 general election that process will repeat for items that may be on the 2027 ballot and possibly even until the 2028 ballot that's still a bit up in the air as of the last meeting that we had so throughout that process we do want to hear from the public so we're collecting feedback during town halls such as the one that we're at here today and seeking public comment at our meetings so our meetings will resume they generally are Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. they're not weekly currently they will begin to be weekly again in January of 2027 we also have an online public comment form and you can email the Charter Review Commission at charter review at Clark dot gov that's charter review at Clark dot gov you may also email individual members of the Commission and find those emails on the Charter of you website so let's get started so we're going to start with our

4:55 public comment form we have an email newsletter to which you can sign up for if you're interested so just a brief look at that timeline on the screen here there is a graph that shows from September to August which identifies the different steps throughout that timeline which the Commission went through for these proposed amendments it begins with idea identification and sharing and reintroductions moves to first readings then second readings committee reports then drafting and a final vote there are town halls in September into October which is where we are now and there will be town halls again in the spring from March to about June throughout this whole part of the process the public comment form will remain open so this is just to look forward to what our process will be for this current session that takes us into our proposed amendments our proposed Charter amendments for this cycle are there are of which there are nine our

5:55 proposed Charter amendment 19 concerning a limitation on consecutive terms for County Council members proposed Charter amendment 20 concerning a revised budget transparency process proposed Charter amendment 21 concerning revised council powers regarding boards and commissions proposed Charter amendment 22 concerning a clarification of nonpartisan office elections proposed Charter amendment 23 concerning a required annual report publication by the county manager proposed Charter amendment 24 concerning a requirement for a housing impact analysis proposed Charter amendment 25 concerning the requirement of supermajority approval by Council for County taxes proposed Charter amendment 26 concerning the initiative mini initiative and referenda process and proposed Charter amendment 27 concerning legislative branch performance audits so the next slides will dive a bit into each one of those just a brief overview of them again this is from a nonpartisan standpoint and a presentation on behalf of the Commission so just going to read them and give you a brief overview of

6:55 them and give you a brief overview of them just going to read the text as written and we can get into some questions towards the end so number 19 concerning a limitation on consecutive terms for County Council members this creates a term limit of three consecutive terms for members of the County Council and once a member has served three consecutive terms they must sit out of office for a four-year term before running for County Council again number 20 concerning a revised budget transfer urgency process modifies the deadlines for the creation and presentation of the County budget by moving some dates earlier in the year requires an additional public meeting to present the budget requires the County manager to publish their budget instructions to County offices on a public-facing website and requires specified budget documents and supporting materials be published on the public-facing website proposed Charter amendment 21 concerning revised council powers regarding boards and commissions allows a

7:53 council to nominate individuals to serve on all County boards and commissions except the ethics Commission currently the council's only allowed to nominate individuals to three boards or commissions and the County manager is solely responsible for nominating the rest the County manager would retain the authority to nominate as well this change provides co-authority over nominations and this does not change the appointment process Pro Charter amendment 22 concerning a clarification of non-partisan office elections this amendment would eliminate the primary election for County non-partisan offices all elected executive and council offices in Clark County where only one or two candidates filed to seek the office those candidates would automatically be placed on the general election ballot the amendment keeps the elections of those offices in even numbered years proposed amendment 23 concerning a required annual report publication

8:48 by the County manager this proposed amendment would require the County manager to present an annual report in a public meeting under the current Charter the County manager may do so but it is not a requirement this amendment creates a requirement for the County manager to publish broadly the annual report the term published broadly was intentionally kept vague to allow the county to determine the best means of accomplishing this goal proposed Charter amendment 24 concerning a requirement for a housing impact analysis this amendment would require the county to publish a housing impact analysis before the county adopts rules that could affect housing the analysis would describe potential effects on housing supply land available for housing permit timelines parking requirements and housing related costs the amendment sets minimum standards and expectations for the analysis but it does not determine the means or structure of the analysis those decisions are left to the council and County manager to determine

9:45 proposed amendment 25 concerning the requirement of supermajority approval by council for County taxes this amendment would require a supermajority vote of the Clark County Council to create a new councilmanic tax or raise the rate of an existing one a supermajority is defined as at least two-thirds of the council under the current Council size that means four votes out of five would be required to raise a tax this amendment does not change the process by which the county can refer tax increases to the voters which requires a simple majority proposed amendment 26 concerning the initiative mini initiative and refer in the process this amendment would lower the signature threshold required to get an initiative or referenda on the ballot in Clark County from 10 to 8 of voters in the previous gubernatorial election this amendment would allow initiatives that failed to get enough signatures to turn the initiative into a mini initiative where the council must have a hearing and consider the proposal this amendment would authorize the county auditor's office to use randomized

10:45 statistical sampling to verify petition signatures proposed amendment 27 concerning legislative branch performance audits the amendment would make clear that the county council may conduct or cost to be conducted performance and program audits to review the effectiveness and efficiency of County programs and operations authorize the council to conduct or commission performance audits of County programs and operations and establish ordinances defining the performance auditing process and contracting process and contracting process for seeking outside auditing any performance audits conducted under this amendment would be done on an as needed basis rather than on a fixed schedule the audits conducted under this Authority would be in addition to the audits required by state law and not a replacement so thank you for bearing with me while you read through all of that those are all of the proposed amendments that will be on the ballot in November and are in the voters pamphlet currently to read about

11:45 as well so what we're looking for here is just to get your feedback I would ask that just to aid in case there are a lot of questions to try and just bring one question at a time so that we can get to everyone's questions we're happy to go back as time permits we will be noting the responses so please make sure that you state your name for the record the subject of your comment um and we just ask that everyone keeps their comments relevant to the charter review Commission and civil to all that are present we also have some paper feedback forms up by the sign-in area which can be used to fill out your feedback if you have an extended note that you would like to provide we have an online comment form as well so I'm going to pause now Commissioner Garber has graciously agreed to run the microphone around the room as needed for folks who have questions and we're happy to open the town hall and begin taking questions feedback and other just statements

12:45 did I miss anything Commissioner Donnelly oh no that's exactly right and it's always good I I often speak up to make sure we use microphones for anyone here who has a learn a hearing disability which is more common than we would like to think so always always use the microphone so what are the questions do you have any questions or did Patrick do such a fantastic job that he answered every question one question is oh tell tell your name tell your name Julie Kep Julie Kep right um you did not give any of the pros and cons to the amendments and I thought in the last charter review Commission meeting which was was that this week yeah that you were going to do that as in a non-partisan way as possible

13:45 after some discussion am I wrong about that you are absolutely correct and I believe we do have those pros and cons with us and we can present them as well oh okay it was something that if I recall correctly from that meeting in the District 5 Town Hall uh someone did ask about the pros and cons and so they read them from the voters pamphlet and so that we determined is permissible as it still hits the non-partisan mark so we're happy to read those out and I believe Commissioner Donnelly has those here to present great thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you is very important that we remain impartial which in some cases is is difficult so we're we want to be very strict and fair about that so we will if asked for a pro or con we will be sticking to the pro the official pros and cons and I think all of them were extremely well written and do probably the best job of

14:45 explaining the two positions for each amendment so what about other questions I think perhaps as a response to that question we could go through and present uh for the record just the pro statements okay would you like to hear us do that okay that's good so why don't we go back to number start with 19. yes let's go to 19. I'll read the I'll do 19 and then you do 20 Etc Etc so the statement four is more choices fresh voices Amendment 19 brings local term limits to the Clark County Council by limiting members to three consecutive terms periodic open seat elections encourage a bro encourages a broader field of qualified candidates giving voters more choices

15:45 new council members add different perspectives and strengthen the council's connection to Clark County residents experience still matters this amendment values experience gained through public service while making room for others to serve 12 years gives council members ample time to learn the job represent residents provide steady leadership build relationships and complete major work this is not a lifetime ban former council members may run again after one full term away from the office voters decide more citizens serve voters decide whether to establish this limit and continue choosing her who serves in each election Amendment 19 simply limits how many consecutive terms a person may serve on the council the amendment expands public service opportunities

16:44 and prevents long-term incumbency from becoming a problem on the county council clear rules same council role the amendment establishes clear rules that apply equally to council members changing Council positions does not restart the count current service and earlier terms served without a break count toward this limit the council remains Clark County's elective legislative body with the same powers and responsibilities vote to approve Amendment 19 and bring reasonable term limits to Clark County and that was written by and the committee is Brandon Erickson chair Dorothy Gascay Liz Shaw so um the statement against we asked the voters of Clark County to reject term limits on count County counselors and vote no

17:43 voters should continue to decide whom to re-elect to the Clark County Council term limits a solution in search of a problem Clark County counselors are elected to four-year terms at that time each counselor faces voters and makes their case for re-election no Clark County counselor or commissioner has served more than two terms in 35 years voters not the charter decide decided to remove those who overstayed their welcome term limits empower special interests the county council makes important decisions on a broad range of issues taxation land use transportation and public health counselors need at least one term to learn the complexities of their role term limits reduce the institutional knowledge shared by returning counselors as a result counselors might rely on a

18:43 outside interest groups or executive branch officials to guide their decision making these people do not face term limits and in some cases never face the voters term limits ignore voter preferences limiting a counselor to three consecutive terms restricts voter choice popular counselors who represent the people well may earn another term unresponsive counselors may not in this way elections hold counselors accountable a lame duck an official who can't be re-elected because of term limits may not work to represent voters when a counselor does a poor job the voter should decide their political future vote no on proposed Amendment 19. that was written by Morgan Holmgren and other members of the committee are Liz Klein and Chuck Green should I continue and read the rebuttals

19:43 I think we can just stick with the there are rebuttals as you know and then there are rebuttals of rebuttals which which is great I think there's so much good information there's almost like a mini debate right on these two pages and I really appreciate that Julie um sorry Kathy so my problem with that I didn't realize until um till I got involved in this process is that um the pros and cons statements are written by whoever is selected by the committee to to to write them it doesn't necessarily mean that the person on these pro and con committees know what they're talking about

20:41 in a couple of cases nobody volunteered I think one of yours to write a con statement on another one it seemed kind of obvious to me that the person who wrote the con statement didn't quite understand the amendment under discussion so how useful I mean how much can a voter reliance on them in the law you know you don't know the I don't know how to describe it do you know what I'm getting at um I do I do understand it seems a little Obscure as to how these committees and especially the chair how are they set up and I can I can say with with great assurance that the people

21:37 who are advancing this amendment think long and hard about who should be on that committee because they want to they want to convince the voters who are who maybe only look at this this page for one minute two minutes they want it to be the most convincing that it can possibly be and and so they do their best job and the con people they do their best job and if it doesn't seem always of the similar quality throughout that is just the way it goes and they do their best and they think long and hard and it's very difficult to to put your words into the into the word limit so you know I hear you but it's an imperfect process like so many others of our of our system it's an imperfect process but the the the others are worse is I believe

22:37 well observed oh yeah I think it's also important to add that that's also another data point in your consideration right so if if you read a statement whether it's a pro or a con statement and you feel like that person might not have a full grasp of the issue that to me is another data point in how I decide you know how I'm going to to vote on that right someone is trying to convince me of something that they don't fully understand versus someone is trying to convince me of something that they do understand or what have you so you know irrespective of whichever amendment we're talking about whatever the process is I think the way that you feel after reading a statement whether it's pro or con is another data point in how you make that decision and so I would just add that I look at the one where you didn't get a con statement and I mean it's pretty innocuous amendment but um that could lead someone to believe well it must be a great amendment if nobody's against it

23:37 you know what I mean I mean again it goes back to Ann's point there's nothing we can do about it nobody steps up nobody steps up and people can make their own judgment one final thing on the pro and con committees on the ballot is that I don't believe that the website or a Facebook or whatever connected to the pro or con committee should be an election website for someone's personal um election if somebody's running for an office they should not use their personal election website as the resource for a uh an amendment going on to the Charter and I looked I contacted the elections office talked to what's his name Rich Cooper well I didn't talk to him we emailed back and forth and he said

24:37 that is up to them that they have no control over what website or Facebook or whatever resource you want to put as the link to your committee in the voters pamphlet and I think that is and when you go to this person's website election website I could not even find anything about the Charter so that is really disingenuous and just bad so good point Julie good point so how about if we go on unless there's no further additional on this should we go on and you you read the next one I think it's important just to to call you know as you did speak to the auction's office clearly that is something that is permissible um and so I don't

25:36 know that we necessarily have feedback on that as as a commission and in this format cannot give our personal views but if the elections office says that that is permissible then it is however I would say just as I said to the other question that that's another data point especially for uh voters who may have that other election on their pamphlet so thanks I just wanted to vent well we appreciate that thank you that's what this is this Forum is about um okay so yeah why don't we move to 20 concerning revised budget transparency process so the fourth statement reads a vote for a more open and public budget process is a vote for the responsible transparent and efficient use of taxpayer funds in 2025 the first public presentation of the budget was October 29th and the budget was adopted on December 2nd with almost no public

26:33 involvement most people are engaged with elections and holidays during that time the amendment moves some County budget deadlines back slightly and requires the first public presentation of the proposed budget to be made the first week of September a second presentation in October and the final budget adoption hearing to be held in November moving the public presentation to this time will give the people better visibility to the county's almost 900 million dollar budget give them time to investigate and provide feedback and give the council more time to consider that input and direct the process there is nothing that the county does that impacts the people's lives more than the adoption of the budget and any proposed tax increases required to implement it the people should have more visibility to the deliberative process and proposed funding so they can make sure the budget affects the values and priorities of the people a budget process that is more transparent and facilitates the involvement of the public will occur with us to work together to meet our community's future needs and challenges um and that is that statement the statement against is

27:33 vote no on Amendment 20 to revise the budget process the county already follows state rules deadlines and budget requirements to make sure the budget is completed correctly and on time adjust the process not the charter no charter amendment is needed because the charter already allows this flexibility County leaders and the County Council can add steps or set earlier deadlines if they want to the charter does not need to include all the details of how the budget process works if better instructions or earlier deadlines are needed County leaders and counselors can update the rules and procedures the charter sets the basic rules for County government the charter provides the basic framework for how County government works this proposal adds process details that do not belong in the charter adding these details can make it harder for the county to improve the budget process in the future keeping the charter focused on the big picture structure gives staff the flexibility to use the most effective and efficient budget process possible so those are for 20. questions on 20

28:33 any comments okay then we will move to 21. okay statement four this is concerning revised Council powers regarding boards and commissions Amendment 21 gives our County Council the ability to submit community members for consideration to the volunteer boards and commissions that help keep our County running currently the council can only nominate volunteers to the planning commission the historic preservation commission and the board of equalization this amendment expands that ability to include other boards and commissions now and in the future with the important exception of the ethics review Commission this could potentially reduce the burden on County staff to fill spots on these commissions and increase the council's ability to keep these important volunteer roles filled counselors hear from the community often and they can help ensure

29:32 that those who want to contribute can a yes vote will make this common sense adjustment to our charter and uh there were there was no con committee and thus no con statement yes it says after recruitment attempts no person within the jurisdiction volunteered to write a statement against proposed charter amendment number 21 and therefore no statements were submitted okay going to 22. yes that takes us to 22. make sure the right slides on there perfect okay the statement 422 charter amendment 22 clarifies non-partisan elections charter amendment 22 removes non-partisan County races from the primary ballot when there are only one or two candidates and places them directly on the general election ballot this is how other non-partisan races already work like County counselor or sorry like city counselors fire

30:31 district commissioners and school board members elections would still happen in even numbered years when most voters turn out in 2021 more than 64 of voters chose to make all County offices non-partisan they wanted officials to answer to all citizens not just one party but the voting process itself never changed today every candidate still appears on the primary ballot even when only one or two people file state law already skips primaries for non-partisan races with one or two candidates this amendment applies that same money-saving rule to County races primaries exist to narrow down large fields of candidates to the top two vote getters with only one or two candidates there is nothing left to narrow Charter Amendment 22 saves taxpayer money every election costs taxpayers money the county must print and mail ballots and voters pamphlets and list each candidate when a race only has one or two candidates listing them on both the primary and general election ballot uses taxpayer dollars unwisely for instance five races on your current

31:30 ballot had two or fewer candidates file but still appeared on the primary ballot vote to approve Charter Amendment 22 save tax dollars and stop unnecessary primaries the four state sorry the against statement says the purpose and of election is not simply to produce a winner it is to give voters a fair and informed opportunity to evaluate those asking to represent them after this amendment when two or fewer candidates file for an affected County non-partisan office the race would not appear on the August primary ballot and the candidates would not appear in the primary voters pamphlet voters would lose months of publicly provided information about candidates seeking offices responsible for elections public safety criminal justice property assessment and other vital services elections are the citizens interview process the primary election introduces candidates encourages public discussion and

32:24 voters time to prepare qualifications to compare qualifications before November it also gives first-time candidates valuable exposure and feedback about whether their message is reaching voters incumbents already have name recognition and results from previous campaigns eliminating the primary creates a built-in advantage for incumbents while challengers lose months to introduce themselves and build public support supporters cite election cost savings but administrative savings are a poor trade for delaying voter information and reducing candidates to compete fairly elections elections should serve voters first the proposed amendment also embeds even numbered year County elections in the charter when ballots already include federal and state contests voters should retain the opportunity to reconsider election procedures in the future a county charter should strengthen public participation not diminish it vote reject on proposition 26-22 and that is the against statement

33:24 that takes us to 23 unless there are any other questions on 22. okay we'll go back so I am for this because it aligns with what the intention was it seems like a no-brainer to line these two things up um interestingly enough at the town hall in district 5. town hall in district 5 two weeks ago people were all on board with not voting yes for this because they felt like the amount of money it would save the council I mean save the taxpayer save the county excuse me would be nominal compared to other things but they were all on board with supporting uh the one percent super majority because that would save them money and I can't quite line up this is just

34:23 uh you know if we're going to run bipartisan races they should be run like bipartisan races or non-partisan sorry non-partisan and honestly after watching the charter review commission and the county council and the county council they all agreed that they were going to run bipartisan races because they were going to run nonpartisan races because they were going to run bipartisan races because they were going to run nonpartisan races because they were going to run nonpartisan races because they were going to run nonpartisan races because they were going to run bipartisan races because they were going to run bipartisan races because they were going to run bipartisan races because of the charter review commission and the council I'm wondering if with regards to the council and the commission if it isn't a little bit disingenuous that we even call those nonpartisan many of the commissioners on the charter review commission vote in a very partisan way so I'm not sure we are aren't misleading voters by running these these elections so I'm not sure we are aren't misleading voters by running these these elections under the non-partisan banner under the non-partisan banner

35:20 under the non-partisan banner and that's my editorial for today and that's my editorial for today and that's my editorial for today thank you we appreciate the comment okay so we're going to 23 okay so we're going to 23 um statement 4 amendment 23 um statement 4 amendment 23 um statement 4 amendment 23 makes two key updates to the charter it makes two key updates to the charter it makes two key updates to the charter it creates a clear creates a clear requirement to produce an requirement to produce an requirement to produce an annual report of what's happening in our annual report of what's happening in our annual report of what's happening in our county government county government county government and it requires the report to be and it requires the report to be and it requires the report to be published broadly published broadly published broadly these requirements strengthen a these requirements strengthen a these requirements strengthen a foundation of government transparency foundation of government transparency foundation of government transparency and accountability in clark county and and accountability in clark county and and accountability in clark county and ensure that information is easy to find ensure that information is easy to find ensure that information is easy to find producing and publishing the report once producing and publishing the report once producing and publishing the report once per year per year per year requires a minimum level of oversight requires a minimum level of oversight to our community without overburdening to our community without overburdening to our community without overburdening county employees county employees county employees putting this in the charter ensures that putting this in the charter ensures that

36:19 putting this in the charter ensures that this reporting doesn't depend upon who's this reporting doesn't depend upon who's this reporting doesn't depend upon who's in office or on staff and that the in office or on staff and that the in office or on staff and that the public will always be made aware of this public will always be made aware of this public will always be made aware of this information information information we ask for your vote for this common we ask for your vote for this common we ask for your vote for this common sense update seeking improved sense update seeking improved sense update seeking improved transparency and accountability in transparency and accountability in transparency and accountability in local government the statement against local government the statement against local government the statement against um against charter amendment um against charter amendment um against charter amendment amendment number 23 the primary change amendment number 23 the primary change amendment number 23 the primary change the charter amendment makes to the the charter amendment makes to the the charter amendment makes to the county charter is that the county county charter is that the county county charter is that the county manager must present to the council in a manager must present to the council in a manager must present to the council in a public meeting and publish broadly an public meeting and publish broadly an public meeting and publish broadly an annual statement of the county's fiscal annual statement of the county's fiscal annual statement of the county's fiscal and governmental affairs and any other and governmental affairs and any other and governmental affairs and any other report which they may deem necessary report which they may deem necessary report which they may deem necessary establishing mandate is not restricted establishing mandate is not restricted establishing mandate is not restricted in relation to county elections in years in relation to county elections in years in relation to county elections in years that county elected incumbents are that county elected incumbents are that county elected incumbents are running for re-election running for re-election running for re-election or the county has put ballot measures or the county has put ballot measures

37:17 or the county has put ballot measures out to voters this proposed out to voters this proposed out to voters this proposed published broadly mandate could be used published broadly mandate could be used published broadly mandate could be used to mail out information prior to the to mail out information prior to the to mail out information prior to the election election election that favors county and pump incumbents that favors county and pump incumbents that favors county and pump incumbents or county ballot measures or county ballot measures or county ballot measures our committee has noticed that some tax our committee has noticed that some tax our committee has noticed that some tax districts do mail out glowing districts do mail out glowing districts do mail out glowing multi-page colored print annual reports multi-page colored print annual reports multi-page colored print annual reports around two months or less prior to around two months or less prior to around two months or less prior to elections at which tax elections at which tax elections at which tax hikes are requested committees against hikes are requested committees against hikes are requesting committees against these tax hikes have no taxpayer funded these tax hikes have no taxpayer funded these tax hikes have no taxpayer funded mailers ever mailers ever mailers ever and then she states the state law rcw and then she states the state law rcw

37:59 and then she states the state law rcw regulations on mailings by legislators regulations on mailings by legislators regulations on mailings by legislators does not allow legislators to send does not allow legislators to send does not allow legislators to send mailers at taxpayer expense during mailers at taxpayer expense during mailers at taxpayer expense during election season election season election season mandating broad publishing ignores mandating broad publishing ignores mandating broad publishing ignores any election restrictions that should any election restrictions that should any election restrictions that should apply apply apply and cost constraints that might limit and cost constraints that might limit and cost constraints that might limit the manner in which this information is the manner in which this information is the manner in which this information is published published published this amendment should be rejected the this amendment should be rejected the this amendment should be rejected the charter review committee charter review committee

38:29 charter review committee any any questions about that or comments any any questions about that or comments any any questions about that or comments i just want to make a quick comment i just want to make a quick comment i just want to make a quick comment about the fact that i know the people about the fact that i know the people about the fact that i know the people who were on the four committee who were on the four committee who were on the four committee and what i love about it is that there and what i love about it is that there and what i love about it is that there this does seem to be a non-partisan this does seem to be a non-partisan this does seem to be a non-partisan committee committee committee and i i would really and i i would really and i i would really encourage the commission encourage the commission encourage the commission to have more of this to have more of this to have more of this both sides of the aisle on committees both sides of the aisle on committees both sides of the aisle on committees but more importantly both sides of the but more importantly both sides of the but more importantly both sides of the aisle on the study committees aisle on the study committees aisle on the study committees we had very few people who were willing we had very few people who were willing we had very few people who were willing to be on a committee to be on a committee to be on a committee that they were could be that they were could be that they were could be against the amendment but wanted to be against the amendment but wanted to be against the amendment but wanted to be in a position of exploring it further in a position of exploring it further in a position of exploring it further and in one case in particular it ended and in one case in particular it ended

39:29 and in one case in particular it ended up that the person who was on the up that the person who was on the up that the person who was on the committee who had started out against it committee who had started out against it committee who had started out against it was on the study committee and when it was on the study committee and when it was on the study committee and when it came time to vote to pass this to came time to vote to pass this to came time to vote to pass this to drafting drafting drafting was still against it but it was still against it but it was still against it but it bulked up the committee bulked up the committee bulked up the committee so i really really encourage the so i really really encourage the so i really really encourage the commission commission commission to try and do more of that to try and do more of that to try and do more of that you know being on each other's you know being on each other's you know being on each other's um and genuinely for the purposes um and genuinely for the purposes um and genuinely for the purposes of making the amendment the best of making the amendment the best of making the amendment the best amendment that they can make it amendment that they can make it amendment that they can make it thank you that's really valuable thank you that's really valuable thank you that's really valuable feedback thank you and i think that's feedback thank you and i think that's feedback thank you and i think that's something that at least i'm going to something that at least i'm going to something that at least i'm going to take from this and make sure that we take from this and make sure that we take from this and make sure that we relate to the commission and talk about take from this and make sure that we relate to the commission and talk about how this town hall went right and relate to the commission and talk about how this town hall went right and relate to the commission and talk about how this town hall went right and good comment and i would point out how this town hall went right and good comment and i would point out how this town hall went right and good comment and i would point out that part of of the form that you need good comment and i would point out that part of of the form that you need good comment and i would point out that part of of the form that you need to fill out to fill out to fill out as a commissioner advancing an amendment as a commissioner advancing an amendment

40:28 as a commissioner advancing an amendment is to say what changes you made is to say what changes you made is to say what changes you made that were the result of hearing that were the result of hearing that were the result of hearing from people who maybe disagreed or who from people who maybe disagreed or who from people who maybe disagreed or who had some other information had some other information had some other information and so you list what you did and so you list what you did and so you list what you did um to conform and to make your amendment um to conform and to make your amendment um to conform and to make your amendment better as it went forward so that kind better as it went forward so that kind better as it went forward so that kind of goes along with what you're saying shall we go to 24 yes is that you or me shall we go to 24 yes is that you or me i think it's me okay good okay so the fourth statement so the fourth statement for for for proposed amendment 24 reads better information better housing better information better housing decisions for too many families the dream decisions for too many families the dream decisions for too many families the dream of owning a home in clark county is of owning a home in clark county is of owning a home in clark county is living further out of reach this living further out of reach this living further out of reach this amendment ensures decisions affecting amendment ensures decisions affecting amendment ensures decisions affecting housing costs and housing supply are housing costs and housing supply are housing costs and housing supply are guided by greater transparency and better guided by greater transparency and better guided by greater transparency and better information before new land use and information before new land use and

41:26 information before new land use and construction regulations are adopted construction regulations are adopted construction regulations are adopted understanding impacts before acting this understanding impacts before acting this amendment does not dictate policy amendment does not dictate policy amendment does not dictate policy outcomes or prevent the county from outcomes or prevent the county from outcomes or prevent the county from adopting new regulations it simply adopting new regulations it simply adopting new regulations it simply ensures elected officials in the public ensures elected officials in the public ensures elected officials in the public have reliable information about the have reliable information about the have reliable information about the potential impacts of important housing potential impacts of important housing potential impacts of important housing decisions before they are made decisions before they are made decisions before they are made it applies only to discretionary it applies only to discretionary it applies only to discretionary decisions initiated by the county not decisions initiated by the county not decisions initiated by the county not routine updates required by state law routine updates required by state law routine updates required by state law focusing analysis where it matters while focusing analysis where it matters while focusing analysis where it matters while limiting unnecessary costs and delays limiting unnecessary costs and delays limiting unnecessary costs and delays planning for clark county's future clark planning for clark county's future clark planning for clark county's future clark county is growing and the choices we county is growing and the choices we county is growing and the choices we make today will influence influence make today will influence influence make today will influence influence whether families workers and future whether families workers and future whether families workers and future generations can continue to find generations can continue to find generations can continue to find opportunity here housing decisions have opportunity here housing decisions have opportunity here housing decisions have real consequences for the cost and real consequences for the cost and real consequences for the cost and availability of homes by identifying availability of homes by identifying availability of homes by identifying potential impacts before regulations are potential impacts before regulations are

42:22 potential impacts before regulations are an approved vote supports transparent an approved vote supports transparent an approved vote supports transparent accountable and informed decision making accountable and informed decision making accountable and informed decision making housing policy should be based on housing policy should be based on housing policy should be based on evidence and understanding not guesswork evidence and understanding not guesswork evidence and understanding not guesswork families deserve to know how decisions families deserve to know how decisions families deserve to know how decisions made today could affect the cost and made today could affect the cost and made today could affect the cost and availability of housing tomorrow availability of housing tomorrow availability of housing tomorrow that is the statement for the statement that is the statement for the statement that is the statement for the statement against reads against reads against reads this proposal attempts to address a this proposal attempts to address a this proposal attempts to address a pressing policy issue in the wrong place pressing policy issue in the wrong place the county charter this amendment's the county charter this amendment's the county charter this amendment's required reports would provide little required reports would provide little required reports would provide little benefit to the public but the costs benefit to the public but the costs benefit to the public but the costs associated with creating each of them associated with creating each of them associated with creating each of them will be paid by taxpayers please vote no will be paid by taxpayers please vote no will be paid by taxpayers please vote no on amendment 24 micromanages policy on amendment 24 micromanages policy on amendment 24 micromanages policy process the charter provides the process the charter provides the process the charter provides the framework for county government framework for county government framework for county government amendments not relating to the structure amendments not relating to the structure amendments not relating to the structure organization and governance of the organization and governance of the organization and governance of the county are not appropriate this proposed county are not appropriate this proposed county are not appropriate this proposed amendment as an example of overreach and amendment as an example of overreach and amendment as an example of overreach and micromanagement micromanagement micromanagement housing and land use policy and housing and land use policy and housing and land use policy and priorities should be left to the council priorities should be left to the council priorities should be left to the council where current needs can be assessed at where current needs can be assessed at where current needs can be assessed at public hearings the county already public hearings the county already public hearings the county already hears about how its decisions affect hears about how its decisions affect hears about how its decisions affect housing costs through the development housing costs through the development housing costs through the development engineering advisory board and the engineering advisory board and the

43:22 engineering advisory board and the planning commission planning commission planning commission housing affordability not caused by housing affordability not caused by housing affordability not caused by county policy county policy county policy home construction costs are outside of home construction costs are outside of home construction costs are outside of the county's control construction the county's control construction the county's control construction engineering standards are driven engineering standards are driven engineering standards are driven largely by state and federal largely by state and federal largely by state and federal regulations regulations regulations local land use planning decisions codes local land use planning decisions codes local land use planning decisions codes and policies and policies and policies do not cows cause housing shortages do not cows cause housing shortages do not cows cause housing shortages if they did the rate of purchases by if they did the rate of purchases by if they did the rate of purchases by first-time home buyers and median buyer first-time home buyers and median buyer first-time home buyers and median buyer households will be lower in clark county households will be lower in clark county households will be lower in clark county than in any in other washington counties than in any in other washington counties than in any in other washington counties this is not the case this is not the case this is not the case not a solution please vote no the not a solution please vote no the not a solution please vote no the proponents of amendment 24 state this proponents of amendment 24 state this proponents of amendment 24 state this amendment will help reduce unintended amendment will help reduce unintended amendment will help reduce unintended cost increases on housing cost increases on housing cost increases on housing more analysis will not solve the problem more analysis will not solve the problem more analysis will not solve the problem of housing affordability this amendment of housing affordability this amendment of housing affordability this amendment would cost taxpayers for it would cost taxpayers for it would cost taxpayers for it would cost taxpayers for issues the would cost taxpayers for issues the would cost taxpayers for issues the county cannot control high interest county cannot control high interest county cannot control high interest rates and state and federal mandates rates and state and federal mandates rates and state and federal mandates vote no and that is the statement vote no and that is the statement vote no and that is the statement against any questions or comments on that one

44:21 any questions or comments on that one okay okay okay okay we'll move on to 20. oh right on to we'll move on to 20. oh right on to we'll move on to 20. oh right on to 25. 25. I'm wondering why the amendment sets minimum standards and expectations for the analysis, but does not determine the means of structure of the analysis. So this is quid pro quo or is this at will? Because the structure is very important to the analysis, as well as meeting the standards and expectations in a proper manner and a proper process. So I'm wondering why that is in there. And I know you cannot answer that probably right now, but it does not make any sense that a county manager has, you know, is basically still equivalent as a number seven.

45:21 Or six commissioner. That is a little bit difficult to understand where it's really a separation of powers. And can you please state your name for the record? Malata Allen. Thank you. Does it make sense to pass that good question on to the pro committee? Can we do that? And have them, rather than having her have to wait or not get a good, the best answer, I can make that happen and I would be happy to do that. Because originally when we started the charter committee way back when, with Betty Sue and Lucas and all the other usual suspects, including Henderson. Yes. There was a separation of power intent. However, what the practice is, a co-equal decision making.

46:21 And it's a de facto number six commissioner. And that should be reanalyzed. The manager should be reporting, but not quote unquote making decisions. Since you and I are in touch, we know each other, you could send the question to me and I will make sure that you get an answer. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Let's see. We're going on to 26. 25. Oh, 25. Okay. And is that me? Yeah. Okay. Here is the statement four. Tax increases should require broad support. When families and businesses are already paying more for everyday expenses, government should think carefully before asking taxpayers to pay even more.

47:21 This amendment raises the standard for future council approved tax increases by requiring a minimum two-thirds affirmative vote of the county council before a new councilmanic tax may be assessed, levied, or increased. A super majority requires council members to work across political lines and build greater consensus before raising taxes. Requiring broad support also provides greater tax predictability for housing. And it also provides greater flexibility for local households and businesses, encouraging long-term investment and responsible planning. This does not change any current tax or fee. It does not reduce or eliminate any current county service or program. Clark County will continue providing essential services, including public safety, roads, and parks. Instead, this amendment protects taxpayers from future tax increases approved by only a narrow majority.

48:21 While encouraging future county councils to build broader support before asking taxpayers to pay more, at a time when families and businesses face rising costs, this added safeguard helps ensure tax increases are carefully considered before they are approved. An approved vote supports greater consensus before raising taxes. Tax increases deserve broader support. That's the pro statement. And going on to the con statement. Not a tax cut. Please vote no on the proposed super majority amendment. This amendment will not cut your taxes because most taxes are not set by the county council. Counties already have tight limits on raising taxes, and voters must approve extra taxes such as bonds and levies. County council has not taken tax increases lightly. In seven of the last six years, county council has not taken tax increases lightly.

49:21 last 14 years, they did not approve the 1% property tax increase allowed by law. Threaten services you rely on. By not increasing taxes by 1%, Clark County has had a hard time keeping up with services people expect and that the state requires. A supermajority requirement makes it harder for the council to fund law and justice, which is 73% of the county's budget. Approximately one-third of this goes to the sheriff's office. Maintaining roads, providing timely permits, funding parks, and ensuring water quality might also decline without the 1% increase. Gives veto power to a supermajority. The supermajority requirement sounds like a simple two-thirds rule, but with only five councilors. Two-thirds means four out of five, or 80% of councilors must agree.

50:18 This would make Clark County the most restrictive in Washington. Allowing two councilors to control county funding puts public services at risk. Vote no on proposed Amendment 25. And that is the statement. Any questions, comments, et cetera? Welcome. Okay. Julie Kupp again. So I'm on the con committee. The tax cut or not a cut or services being threatened, my main thing with this is it is just undemocratic. And that probably won't hold sway with many people.

51:08 But Washington state voters voted to allow council to implement these councilmanic taxes, taxes that they don't need to go to the voters for. And therefore, council should be able to say yay or nay to these councilmanic taxes on a simple majority of three out of five. And the fact of the matter is that that is what has happened in the past 14 years. Seven out of the 14 times, the five-member county council has voted not to take the councilmanic tax. So this is not a problem. This is not a problem that they pass this tax automatically every single year. They're very cognizant.

52:08 Of when they should take it or don't take it or maybe there's just councilors who are never going to take it. I do know in the District 5 League of Women Voters Forum and also it's reported in the Columbian, one councilor has said straight up, a councilor running for District 5 position on the county council that he is not going to take this tax. I don't see how you can say. I am never going to take that tax and you're not even on the council, you don't even see how the county functions and you have very limited information and I know for a fact that at the last budget discussion in December of 2025, councilor for District 4, Matt Little, made a point of saying that he is fiscally conservative but that he's fiscally conservative, he does not take that tax.

53:08 I am not going to take a tax willy nilly, but that he has seen the county in action, they run very lean, they do the best they can with the resources they have, and so he voted for this. There was a discussion. There's one councilor already on the council who doesn't ever vote for it unless it's regarding public safety. Other than that, she's an out on every single one. So what happens is if you demand four out of five, you're going to have to vote for it. So what happens is if you demand four out of five, you're going to end up giving the minority, the two out of five, a disproportionate amount of power and influence on the council. And the idea, I'm going to keep going, the idea that you are going to convince these people that they should, I don't know what is pictured here, would have to happen to convince,

54:08 would have to convince, the councilor of district two and maybe the councilor of district five, if he's elected, to not take it is beyond me. So it's giving their constituents a disproportionate amount of power over everybody else in the county. And that is my thing. But yes, it would impact services. So when people complain my taxes are too high, blah, blah, blah, that's fine. But the county needs a certain amount of money to function. They're already in a structural deficit. You impose this on them, and you are going to create a situation that they have even less control over what to do with their finances. So I am so against this, I can't even stand it. Thank you. Thank you for the extended feedback.

55:08 Any other comments on 25? Okay, we'll move on to 26. I think so, yeah. The four statement for Charter Amendment 26 reads, Charter Amendment 26 makes citizen participation more achievable. Charter Amendment 26 makes it easier for Clark County citizens to have a voice in their government. The amendment would lower the verified signature requirement for initiative and reference. referendum petitions from 10% to 8%. It would also let valid signatures from an unsuccessful initiative transfer to a mini-initiative once the 3% threshold is met, so public support is not wasted. For petitions affecting only unincorporated Clark County, the required number of signatures would be calculated using the same method as petitions affecting the entire county. The county auditor may also use random statistical sampling to verify petition signatures

56:06 by sampling at least 3,000 submitted signatures. The amendment also protects petitioners by ensuring that no petition can be rejected based solely on statistical sampling. According to the elections office, statistical sampling would reduce staff time when reviewing signatures and would lower county costs. This amendment is a practical step toward making Clark County government more responsive to its citizens. The charter gives residents the power of initiative and referendum, but since Clark County adopted home rule in 2014, no citizen petition has qualified for the ballot. One major barrier is the current signature requirement. This amendment would make the process more accessible while preserving the safeguards needed to ensure petitions have meaningful public support. With bipartisan support, Charter Amendment 26 offers a balanced way to strengthen public participation while keeping important safeguards in place. Vote to approve proposed Charter Amendment 26. That was the fourth statement.

57:05 reads, in 2022 in Clark County, a similar measure to reduce the required signature percentages for initiatives and referenda was rejected by 59% of the vote. While this version adds a technical change in how the elections office certifies initiatives by permitting statistical sampling for signature verification, the proposed lower thresholds are the same as the ones which voters rejected in 2022. With attention focused on election integrity, all signatures should be verified. Does lowering the threshold for initiatives work? Both Whatcom and Snohomish counties passed charter amendments to lower these thresholds. Even with these lower thresholds, no initiatives have made it to the ballot. Please vote against this amendment. That was the against statement. Are there any questions or comments or feedback on proposed charter amendment 26 now that we've read the for and against? Okay.

58:03 If not, we'll go on to proposed charter amendment number 27. The statement four reads, a vote for performance audits is a vote for responsible, transparent, and efficient use of taxpayer funds. This amendment would give the county council, the representatives of the people, the power to conduct audits of county departments or programs as part of their legislative duties. Performance auditing has been approved to improve the efficient use of funds in government operations. The county auditor already conducts routine audits of county finances. The amendment does not duplicate or replace those efforts. This amendment specifically addresses auditing department operations or programs. It grants the power to conduct independent audits to the body that approves the budget for those departments and operations, the county council.

59:03 Auditing departments or programs for effectiveness should be one of the considerations for continuing a program or operation. Other Washington charter counties have given this power to their representatives and believe auditing is a way to maximize cost savings, improve program effectiveness and efficiency, and maintain best practices. This amendment gives the council the discretion to define the scope of the audit and determine if a county employee, the auditor's department, or an outside contractor will conduct it. This flexibility will maximize the efficient use of the audit process. Direct access to information produces better policy and the council is responsible for policy in the budget. Give the council this tool to do it better. Vote yes. Vote yes on Proposition 27, Performance Audits.

1:00:00 The con statement reads, please vote no on Charter Amendment 27. County counselors can already request audits. Any Clark County resident can also ask for an audit. An audit oversight committee reviews requests and a county counselor is always on that committee. The council already has a voice in the audit process. State provides free outside review. If a counselor wants an outside review, the Washington State Auditor's Office already offers one for free. County staff have used this service before. Hiring private audit firms costs taxpayer money and those firms do not answer to voters. We should not spend extra money on something we already can get at no cost. Extra audits. Extra audits will add expenses.

1:00:59 Our county already has strong audits. We pay the Washington State Auditor's Office $350,000 to $400,000 each year for required audits. Amendment 27 would add new costs, not reduce them. Its fiscal analysis says it could cost taxpayers at least $100,000 more each year. Costs could grow even higher. For example, Pierce County spends about $600,000 a year on performance audits. Why pay more in taxes? Adding outside audits does not guarantee savings. Their recommendations can increase costs instead of reducing them. Our county already has a limited tax base and struggles to fund important services like public safety.

1:01:55 We should not spend taxpayer money on reviews we already can get for free. Vote no on Charter Amendment 27. Any questions about that? I do have a question. Regarding this one, the council can ask for an audit. Would there be a vote on the council to ask for an audit? Or would it be in the purview of each council? If they wanted an audit to ask the county manager, "I want an audit on this. Now go do it." Or would it be, "Hey, council, I want to conduct this audit. What do you think? Let's take a vote." As I read it, and Commissioner Adegwame, be sure to give your view, this would give the county council the right to call for an audit. And that would be a majority.

1:02:54 So a majority vote. Am I correct? I'm not entirely certain. It doesn't say anything about that. I don't have the text of the resolution in front of me, but I can try and find that. Yes. It could be that any single council member could call for an audit. But I believe, unless it's made clear, it would be a majority vote. I don't think it means that any one council member can independently call for an audit. Yeah. I see what you're saying. It says gives the council. But it doesn't say, you know, a majority of the council or forfeit. That's true. It is unclear. That just occurred to me. But the other thing regarding this, maybe if it said a majority of the council would have to agree to push this audit. But otherwise, I could see councilors pushing political, I don't know, shenanigans.

1:03:54 Maybe they don't feel like one of the departments is necessary or whatever has a pet peeve with them and can insist on doing what I would consider punitive audits. So I think that is an important thing to know. The text of the resolution says the county council may conduct or cause to be conducted performance and program audits to review the effectiveness, et cetera, et cetera. So my read of that is that... The council as a body may conduct or cause to be conducted. It doesn't say an individual councilor, but I'm certain that as many things in life, that interpretation probably will come during implementation as opposed to speaking to it now. But another thing regarding this amendment, but other ones too, is County Councilor Sue Marshall, Chair Sue Marshall, wanted to...

1:04:52 put forward, the council put, wanted to have the council put forward a charter amendment that there would be a fiscal analysis included in the voters pamphlet for each of these charter amendments going forward. And the council did not vote to do that. But I feel it is critical that voters have access to that fiscal analysis that is available on the council. It is available on the website related, but people, people, I don't know how willing they're going to be to want to dig for information. And I really feel like in some of these amendments, it's critical to know what the cost would be pro and con for some of these amendments. For example, 27, if we have to pay an outs, if they have to pay an outside auditor to conduct an audit, it's going to cost a substantial amount of money.

1:05:50 And, you know that if you looked up the fiscal analysis, you don't know it from this. You see what I'm saying? So I hope, are you doing it? I hope a councilor puts forward an amendment to have a fiscal analysis attached to these charter amendments for the benefit of the voter. Thanks. Thank you. That's good feedback. That takes us through all of the amendments that are proposed this cycle. Oh, we've got one more question. All right. Melati Allen again. One of the things that you do have a good thought over there. However, it needs to be taken a little bit further as to provide how many people voted for it or how many council people had voted for it.

1:06:48 Who seconded it and what the vote was. And then also to establish a protocol to follow up and do a little bit better monitoring than this particular language allows for. I just want to make sure that I'm hearing the feedback clearly. Are you saying that we should have who voted for it? Who seconded it as far as the charter amendments or is that specific to your feedback on the performance audits? Specific to the concerning legislative brand of performance audits. Okay. Thank you. And that is very important to have a procedure and a follow up and implementation if there is a problem. There's absolutely nothing that says any quote unquote protocol as to how to implement this particular PCA.

1:07:45 So that actually I do have maybe not the answer that you were looking for, but there is text in the resolution that says the county council shall establish by ordinance within the legislative branch an independent county performance auditing process. So this proposed amendment leaves that implementation to the county council. Never knowing as to who the county council is going to be. It would be prudent and responsible to provide a process as part of this amendment. Otherwise it's whatever. Thank you. Thank you for the feedback. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you.

1:08:45 Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you.

1:09:45 Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Just leaving some space in case there are other questions or feedback, anything else that comes up or both of you. Okay. Or was it going to be three minutes plus one minute? It went on and on and on. And the general feeling I got from the whole discussion, except from Commissioner Chrisley,

1:10:40 was that, oh, for God's sake, people had all this time to offer public comment. We're going to end up with this very long meeting that we don't want to have to devote that much time to. So let's figure out the quickest way we can get people in and out. And I felt that was, and Commissioner Chrisley made the point of, like, this is the job you're signed up to do. And you see this with the council, too, like with the comp plan update. A lot of people showed up at the meeting, the final meeting, where the counselors were going to hear from the public on the comp plan and all the different, you know, whatever they're called, related to the comp plan. And there was a lot of people who showed up. And the counselors then decided, well, this is just too much.

1:11:39 We're going to be here too long. Let's cut it to two minutes, from three minutes to two minutes. Or I've been in Battleground where they cut the meeting from three minutes to one minute. People crafted their comments. They took the time to craft a comment. They took the time to go down there or, you know, whatever, to make their comment. And now it's pretty much like, oh, jeepers, we've got to get out of here, folks. And I would just suggest that the commission, you signed up, commissioners signed up for this. You be more, not you two personally, but you know what I mean, that the commission be more, more, what's the damn word, amenable to whenever people show up to make a comment. Maybe people hadn't watched the whole process and made comments throughout. Maybe this was their one chance to make a comment.

1:12:38 And now you're saying, okay, well, you either get the three minutes or you get the one minute. And by God, get your butt up there, make your comment and get to your seat because we want this to move. And my feeling is if that meeting had gone until midnight, it goes until midnight. This is your job. So I would like to pass that on to some of the commissioners who were like, oh, boy, one or the other, we can't be sitting here all day listening to comments. They had time before this to make their comments. The other thing is, is I would have liked discussion at that meeting between the commissioners. It was pretty much whatever went to drafting was put on the ballot, more or less. I think it was. Am I feeling it? The other thing is, if it's just a pro forma thing, just batch them, send them along. The idea that you didn't have a discussion because people might have changed their mind. And that's the other thing regarding public comment.

1:13:35 If you're going to want public comment, you've got to give the public the feeling that you really care about the public comments, not that you're just putting up with this, but your mind's already made up. And I feel that's really important because at every meeting, you said we want public comment, we appreciate public comment. Okay. And then you get to the last meeting when you're going to vote on these, and it's like, oh boy, we just want to get this public comment over with. That was the impression I got. So, yeah, that's just for next time. Thanks. Good morning. Can you hear me? Yes. Okay. Terry Allen. Just a quick comment here. Years ago, the -- our commissioners made a very -- Yes. -- a decision that had a tremendous impact on the population. There was quite a crowd that showed up, and it was almost unmanageable, but they decided

1:14:35 that you came here and showed up, everybody gets three minutes, period. Lined up, they ran it as smoothly as they could. My turn came about a quarter to one in the morning, my wife shortly thereafter. But it was important. It was very important at that time for all the people that were there to have their full say. So I would encourage -- I very much encourage, you know, whatever else -- whatever else is on your schedule, let the people speak. Thank you. And is there a general feeling that three minutes is appropriate, not to be reduced to two or one? Okay. Thank you. I'm Melata Allen, and when I was a planning commissioner way long time ago, for six years, we stayed until 2:00 or 2:30 in the morning, listening to everybody,

1:15:33 because it was very important for us to hear what the community had to say. Even though we were volunteers, we were not paid, of course. But we did have a responsibility that we were appointed to. It was our responsibility to make sure that everybody was heard. Thank you. Especially when they made so much time and effort to get ready to tell us what exactly they thought about the subject or the process or the proposals. And to me, this is very irresponsible not to allow people to talk about it and not allow them to use their couple of minutes. Thank you. now but this is getting worse and I'm sorry to say that this needs to change

1:16:33 well I'm not aware that we ever didn't allow somebody to make public comment but I do hear your point I think that's really valuable feedback as well I do remember the conversation that you're talking about and I was very much on the side of we should just let people speak because again that is the job so we will take that feedback and pass it along to the rest of the Commission I hope that they are as receptive to it and well we will continue to make sure that everyone gets their their time but of course I can't speak for the chair and the executive committee so all we can do is pass along the feedback I think that's helpful I'll just go around the room one more

1:17:30 time and make sure I'm not missing out on any comments feedback questions just leaving space for that okay then I believe if no one else has any other comments or questions thank you so much for attending the district one Clark County Charter Review Commission town hall about our 2026 proposed amendments to the Clark County Charter which are on the ballot since we are in the library I can confidently state there are many voters pamphlets out there on the table if you haven't received one at your house and you're curious to dive more into the pro and con statements that we read today or look at some of the resolution text that's in there as well again thank you so much for attending thank you to those who watched online or will watch in the future thank you for caring about the changes coming to your county and for caring about local government because that's really really important not more than ever so yes

1:18:26 thank you for coming you are among the most dedicated voters and I want to say that I have been proud to be here with you thank you very much thank you Subtitles by the Amara.org community