Los Angeles County is moving from an appointed administrator who works for the Board of Supervisors to an independently elected County Executive with direct authority over most county operations. The idea is to separate executive from legislative functions and impose the checks and balances that characterize other levels of government. Crucial questions linger about how to parcel out authority.
Sept. 9: The Governance Reform Task Force discussed rules for three new county offices, including the independently elected county executive, the county legislative analyst (who will report to the Board of Supervisors) and the Office of Budget and Management (which will report to the executive).
Aug. 26: The Governance Reform Task Force sent recommendations on Measure G's agenda posting requirement to the Board of Supervisors, discussed the legislative analyst position and reviewed some successful, and unsuccessful, outreach efforts.
Aug. 21: Prof. Timothy Krebs briefed the Governance Reform Task Force about the importance of a chief legislative officer, to balance the power dominance of the county executive.
Aug. 17: The Task Force heard from community and city leaders who are anxious about losing the access to county government they currently have through the Board of Supervisors.
Los Angeles County's Governance Reform Task Force is marching through seven August sessions to prepare for a Sept. 9 vote on recommendations for the new elected County Executive office.
San Diego County voters will consider a November ballot measure to create a new ethics commission and new county positions. It looks a lot like Los Angeles County's reforms. Or does it?
