The Chairman is the presiding officer of the Board of County Commissioners, serving primus inter pares, or "first among equals," in a collection of dynamic elected leaders.
The traditional symbol of the office, the gavel, represents the basic function of the office: to preserve order and decorum over the proceedings of the Board, and to ensure fairness and efficiency in its deliberative and decision-making processes. Although the Chairman is popularly elected at-large and represents the entire community, as a member of the governing body, she has only a single vote and retains the same rights, responsibilities, and privileges as all other Members. However, she is, as the presiding officer, the first among a body of equals, and has the added duty of ensuring that the expressed will of the majority is able to secure the transaction of business while at the same time protecting the fundamental right of the minority to be heard.
As presiding officer, the Chairman wields a broad array of powers related to the legislative affairs of the Board of County Commissioners. Among these is the power to recognize those Members and individuals entitled to the floor and the power to regulate the timing and presentation of business items by setting and approving the meeting agenda. In addition, the Chairman is empowered to decide all questions of procedure or protocol, subject to an appeal to the full Board.
The institutional role of the Chairman extends beyond the Board's legislative affairs and the duty to preside over its proceedings. The Chairman is recognized as the head of the Office of the Board of County Commissioners, and exercises general control over its day-to-day operations. The Office of the Board is the legislative department of the County Government, and includes the offices of the Chief Council, the County Auditor, and the Clerk of the Board.
Key Links: Chief Elected Official and Administrative Oversight
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of Johnson County Government