Borgeson to Chair County Board, Use Pre-Board Meetings
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners will add a discussion-only pre-board meeting this year in addition to its regular business meetings.
Mary Ann Borgeson was selected chairwoman of the board for 2021 at last week’s meeting. Chris Rogers is vice chairman.
“I’d like to thank my fellow board members for their support and confidence in me,” Borgeson said in a statement. “I look forward to a productive year on behalf of the taxpayers of Douglas County.”
Borgeson said the board will begin pre-board meetings later this month, but details are still being finalized.
Other area governments also use this approach, allowing an opportunity for elected officials to ask questions and have preliminary discussions without the pressure of voting immediately afterward. Advocates say it can improve efficiency and communication, while detractors say it can reduce transparency by making it harder for the public to follow officials’ discussions.
“I plan to implement a pre-board meeting to increase communication about the agenda, address any concerns from commissioners and gather additional information on agenda items if needed,” Borgeson said. “These meetings will be conducted on Monday mornings via Zoom and will be open to the media and to the public.”
Borgeson said her 2021 goals include a smooth distribution of COVID-19 vaccine in Douglas County and ensuring the continued availability of testing. She also plans to review the county’s strategic plan to ensure it is relevant to contemporary issues.
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