Freeholders to discuss commissioner elections

The group’s next meeting will be held Tuesday, April 8, at 6 p.m., at the Lacamas Lake Lodge and Conference Center, 227 NE. Lake Road, in Camas.

The public is encouraged to attend. Public comments will be accepted at the beginning and end of the meeting.

To view a copy of the compiled draft charter, visit www.clark.wa.gov/freeholders/index.html

The Clark County Board of Freeholders will meet in Camas, to discuss the drafting of a home rule charter.

The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, at the new Lacamas Lake Lodge and Conference Center, is open to the public, and will include an extended public comment period, at the beginning and end.

Meetings have typically been held in Vancouver. On March 22, the group converged in Battle Ground.

“We felt it was important to bring the process of drafting a home rule charter to residents in all areas of the county,” said Chair Nan Henriksen, a Camas resident and former mayor. “We are offering a longer public comment period in hopes that people will share their ideas about a charter and our work so far.”

Topics of discussion will include district vs countywide election of council members in the general election and initiative and referendum.

The freeholders, 15 Clark County residents elected by registered voters in November 2013, began meeting in December. Since then discussions have focused on favoring a draft charter that proposes three major changes to Clark County government: increasing the Board of County Commission from three full-time commissioners to five part-time council members; limiting the board’s duties to legislative issues while giving administrative duties to an appointed county manager; and adding initiative and referendum powers.

The Board of Freeholders is scheders.

The Board of Freeholders is scheduled to complete a draft charter in late May, and submit it to the Elections Department for inclusion on the Nov. 4 General Election ballot.

Additional freeholder meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, April 22 and Tuesday, May 13 and 27, beginning at 6 p.m., at the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.