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THE LAFAYETTE COUNTY CITIZENS ADVISORY PROGRAM

One goal of public planning in Lafayette County is to promote citizen’s understanding of and participation in the planning process. In support of this goal, a program entitled the “Citizen Advisory Program” was developed to empower concerned, motivated citizens by allowing them to become responsible for developing plans and ordinances for County consideration. The program enables any citizen in Lafayette County who has an issue they would like addressed to become responsible for researching and developing the solution and submitting it to the County for consideration. Any citizen who chooses to participate in the program, however, must understand from the beginning that the actions of the Planning Board or the Quorum Court are not guaranteed. Either group could react unfavorably to a citizen proposal even after hours of work have been invested.

The program is initiated with a proposal submitted to the planning board. The process of reviewing the proposal is outline in detail as follows:

 

1. Proposal submission and distribution: submit a complete Citizen Proposal to the Planning Office. A Citizen proposal form is attached to this page or is available from the planning office. It outlines the information that must be included in the proposal. Staff will schedule for the proposal to be reviewed by the Planning Board at the next available meeting. Public notice of the review will be issued in the newspaper so interested individuals can attend the meeting. Additionally, copies of the proposal will be distributed to the Quorum Court and County.

 

2. Planning board review and authorization: After the proposal is submitted, the Planning Board will review the proposal at their next scheduled meeting. During the meeting, the Board will conduct a public hearing to allow for public comment. Following the hearing, the Board will vote to either authorize the formation of a citizen committee to further review and develop the proposed recommendations or vote to decline authorization. If the board authorizes the formation of the committee, the Board will invite interested individuals to submit an application to serve on the committee. Planning Board authorization of the committee entitles the committee the use of county resources, including meeting space and staff assistance.

 

3. Committee formation and review: After the public hearing, applications will be accepted from people, businesses and organizations who want to serve on the committee to review and further develop the proposal. At the next scheduled meeting after the review of the proposal, the Planning Board will review the applications and select the committee members. The Board will also establish a date by which the committee must have the review completed. Once formed, the committee must establish regular meeting times and must thoroughly review the proposal recommendation within the time allowed by the Planning Board, unless and extension is granted. The committee is entirely responsible for developing its review strategy, researching needed information, drafting changes if necessary, and dev eloping it recommendation in a timely manner. However, staff are available to distribute meeting notices, compile information and finally, to represent the administrative concerns of the county.

 

4. Planning Board review and recommendation: once the committee’s recommendation is complete, it is forwarded (along with the original proposal) to the Planning Board for review. The Planning Board my forward a recommendation (changed or unchanged) to the Quorum Court after conducting a public hearing. Or the Board my send the recommendation back to the committee for additional work. However, only the Quorum Court has the authority to adopt or enact proposed plans or ordinances for the County.

 

 

CITIZEN PROPOSAL.

Date submitted: ______________ Control #: ____________

 

1) Title of Proposal: ___________________________________________

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2) Contact person

Who is the contact person responsible for the submission of the application? (Please list only one contact person.)

Name: _____________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________

Phone #: _____________ Fax #: ____________ Email: _____________________

Signature: _______________________________________ Date: ______________

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3) Supporters

Attach a list containing the names, addresses, phone numbers, and signatures of all the people, businesses or organizations who support this proposal. Identify with an asterisk (*) the people who may be willing to serve on the committee to review and possibly further develop the proposal.

 

4) Background Information

Attach a brief explanation of the problem you want addressed and why it is in the publics best interest for the county to address it. Also, indicate whether there are any state or federal regulations currently in effect pertaining to the problem you want addressed, and attach a copy of them.

 

5) Recommendation

Attach a recommendation describing what action you propose the county take. Include the following in your recommendation:

A. Indicate whether your recommendation is a revision of an existing County plan or ordinance, of whether you are proposing something new. If you are proposing a revision, indicate exactly what sections/ parts of the plan/ordinances are subject to revision.

B. Identify the general goal(s) or purpose(s) of your recommendation (why is it necessary?)

C. Indicate what your recommendation applies to. Does it apply only to certain types of development (such as mobile homes), or a particular area of the county?

D. Define the potential confusing terms used in your recommendation. For example, if you indicate that your recommendation applies to mobile homes, define what you believe a “mobile home” to be.

E. Identify the specific standards, guidelines, or policies you recommend the county enact.

F. Include some means of enforcement. What County office do you envision enforcing your recommendation and what penalties should be established?

 

6) Attachments

List any maps laws. ordinances, or other documents your have attached to this proposal. Don’t forget to any state or federal regulation you mentioned previously in this proposal.

 

7) Coordination

List the government offices and private groups that will be most affected by this proposal, and therefore, need to be involved in the review of your recommendation.