DISCUSSION
Pursuant to Government Code section 54973, the Board of Supervisors shall designate the public library with the largest service population within its jurisdiction to receive a copy of the the Local Appointments List (also known as the Maddy Act List) (List).
Pursuant to Government Code section 54974, whenever an unscheduled vacancy occurs in any board, commission, or committee for which the legislative body has the appointing power, whether due to resignation, death, termination, or other causes, a special vacancy notice shall be posted in the office of the clerk of the local agency, the library designated pursuant to Section 54973, and in other places as directed by the legislative body, not earlier than 20 days before or not later than 20 days after the vacancy occurs. Final appointment to the board, commission, or committee shall not be made by the legislative body for at least 10 working days after the posting of the notice in the clerk’s office.
The state Legislature finds and declares that a vast and largely untapped reservoir of talent exists among the citizenry of the State of California, and that rich and varied segments of this great human resource are, all too frequently, not aware of the many opportunities which exist to participate in and serve on local regulatory and advisory boards, commissions, and committees.
The Legislature further finds and declares that the general public of this state has traditionally been denied access to information regarding vacancies which occur on such boards, commissions, and committees, thereby denying most citizens and interest groups the opportunity to nominate for consideration by the respective appointive powers persons whose particular strengths, backgrounds, experience, perspective, and talents might contribute significantly to efficient and representative policy development and administration in local government.
The Legislature further finds and declares that all citizens of the state, regardless of their place of residence should have equal access to specific and current information about the many local regulating and advisory boards, commissions, and committees and equal opportunity to be informed of vacancies which shall occur thereon, so that they may pursue the opportunity to participate in and contribute to the operations of local government by serving on such boards, commissions, and committees.
Finally, it is the intent of the Legislature that this chapter shall apply to all cities and all counties throughout California, including charter cities and charter counties.
Pursuant to Government Code section 54972, on or before December 31 of each year, each legislative body shall prepare an appointments list of all regular and ongoing boards, commissions, and committees which are appointed by the legislative body of the local agency, which shall contain the following information:
a list of all appointive terms which will expire during the next calendar year, with the name of the incumbent appointee, the date of appointment, the date the term expires, and the necessary qualifications for the position; and a list of all boards, commissions, and committees whose members serve at the pleasure of the legislative body, and the necessary qualifications for each position.
In Shasta County, the Clerk of the Board has historically posted the List and all Notices of Vacancies at the Redding Library. However, the designation pursuant to Government Code section 54973 had not been done and so it is now recommended. The Clerk of the Board also posts the List and all Notices of Vacancy outside the Shasta County Public Law Library located in the basement of the Courthouse, and in the public lobby of the County Administrative/Clerk of the Board/Board of Supervisor's Office.
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