The structure of the Regional District of North Okanagan is going through some adjustments.
Instead of having committee meetings all on one day during a month, four separate sessions will now be split over two days.
“Something had to happen,” said director Rick Fairbairn.
Presently, the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee, the Electoral Area Advisory Committee and the regional growth management advisory committee all meet back-to-back on the first Thursday of the month.
The problem is that if one meeting goes over its allotted time, that negatively impacts the schedule for the other committees.
“There can be linups at the door with delegations and there is confusion,” said Fairbairn.
The other reason for a new timetable is the creation of a new committee – agricultural advisory.
Under the new model, which will likely begin in 2013, the Greater Vernon and electoral area committees will gather on the first Thursday of the month while the other two committees will be on the second Thursday of the month.
It had been suggested that RDNO board meetings shift from the first and third Wednesdays of the month to a three-week interval, but that plan was shot down.
“Having meetings at the same time of the month is easy for the public to follow,” said director Doug Dirk.
However, support for every three weeks came from director Mike Macnabb.
“It gives us more opportunity to think about issues and it gives staff more time to give us reports,” he said.
