IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION establishing legislative oversight of the Jackson County Office of Human Relations and Citizen Complaints.
Intro
RESOLUTION # 15417, March 14, 2005
INTRODUCED BY Robert A. Stringfield, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, the Jackson County Office of Human Relations and Citizen Complaint (OHRCC) is a home rule charter office designed to operate as an ombudsman; and,
WHEREAS, under the charter, the County Executive appoints for terms a chairperson and seven commissioners who hire and fire the ombudsman; and,
WHEREAS, on September 7, 2004, Fowler Consulting issued a report on the performance of the ombudsman; and,
WHEREAS, the ombudsman's budget for 2003 was $138,829.00; and,
WHEREAS, the Fowler report reveals that in 2003 the ombudsman handled only 31 complaints; and,
WHEREAS, more than $4,000.00 per complaint is an exorbitant and preposterous waste of taxpayer money; and,
WHEREAS, the County Legislature shall not remain idle when public money is being spent wastefully; and,
WHEREAS, on October 25, 2004, the County Executive requested Sidney L. Willens, founder and first chair of the ombudsman office, to make recommendations to improve its performance; and,
WHEREAS, on February 23, 2005, Willens submitted three recommendations to the County Executive as the first steps to begin improving the ombudsman's performance; and,
WHEREAS, the County Executive has rejected the Willens recommendations; and,
WHEREAS, the County Legislature desires to exercise oversight of the office without interfering with its independence; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Jackson County Legislature and the County Executive shall receive from the office director no later than the tenth (10th) day of each month beginning June, 2005, a report containing a brief statement of facts of each complaint received during the preceding month and action, if any, taken o...
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