Primary Objective
The primary objective of the 2024 Marin County Boards and Commissions Equity project is to diversify and enhance the membership of our Boards and Commissions, utilizing an equity lens to identify and overcome barriers, improve recruitment strategies, and provide support for active members. These bodies play a crucial role in advising the Board of Supervisors on vital issues, and increasing the diversity within them will bolster the County's commitment to racial equity.
Steps
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Phase 1
Needs Assessment and Data Collection (Completed): Assess all current Boards and Commissions, identifying diversity gaps and operational challenges.
- November 28, 2023 Staff Report - Enhancing Diversity and Equity in Marin County Boards and Commissions
- Final Equity Survey Results
- November 28, 2023 Meeting Video
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Phase 2
Board and Commission Review (In Process):
Identify any Boards and Commissions recommended for restructuring or decommissioning and work with a Board subcommittee to evaluate them before considering new training, outreach mechanisms, or creating new commissions. Further adjustments to boards and commissions remain under review.
- March 19, 2024 Staff Report - Review of Boards and Commissions under the Board of Supervisors.
- March 19, 2024 Meeting Video
- April 16, 2024 Staff Report - Introduction of an ordinance eliminating the Fair Advisory Board, Access Appeals Board, Building Board of Appeals, Human Rights Commission, and Architectural Commission
- Proposed Ordinance - 1st hearing
- April 16, 2024 Meeting Video
- May 7, 2024 Staff Report - Approval of Ordinance Sunsetting the Human Rights Commission, Fair Advisory Board, Access Appeals Board, Building Board of Appeals, and Architectural Commission
- Ordinance 3815
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Phase 3
Commission and Staff Liaison Training (In Process):
Following the May 19, 2026 Board of Supervisors meeting, Phase 3 has been expanded to include the formal administration of the Sunset Review Framework as part of the County’s broader Boards and Commissions governance improvement strategy. This phase will focus on assessing existing boards and commissions for legal mandate, operational activity, public engagement, overlap or duplication, cost and output, and alignment with current County priorities. The purpose is to determine whether certain bodies should be retained, restructured, consolidated, or considered for sunsetting before additional training, recruitment, outreach, or new commission development efforts move forward.
Training for commissioners and staff liaisons will remain an important component of this phase but will be more closely aligned with the findings from the governance review, including areas such as role clarity, ethics, Brown Act compliance, bylaws modernization, diversity and equity, effective meeting practices, and strategic alignment.
- May 19, 2026 Meeting Video
- May 19, 2026 Staff Report
- May 19, 2026 Boards and Commissions Governance Review Presentation
At this time, Board and Commission appointments are tentatively scheduled to resume on September 15, 2026.
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Phase 4
Feedback Loops (2025):
Work with a subcommittee of staff liaisons, County Executive staff, and a Board subcommittee to evaluate a more robust feedback system for the commissions to advise the board.
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Phase 5
Outreach and Engagement (2025 and ongoing):
Implement a strategy to build relationships and trust within diverse communities and identify potential board and commission candidates.