The three commissioners are elected to four-year terms by the citizens of Clark County. While the commissioners are legally responsible for making the final decisions on many issues, including the adoption of laws, these decisions are based on the advice and input of citizens.
Many of Clark County’s decisions involve extensive citizen participation. For instance, if a road needs realignment to deal with traffic and safety concerns, the county seeks citizen input to develop a solution the community understands and supports. Or if a nuisance ordinance or a change in permit fees is being considered, meetings, workshops, or open houses are typically scheduled that provide citizens with opportunities to make comments that often affect the end product.
Before the commissioners make a decision, they consider any public input made on the subject, whether it comes in the form of statements made at a workshop, delivered in writing at the board’s office, or made in person by citizens attending a public hearing.
All of the board’s meetings, including hearings and work sessions, are open to the public. The only exceptions are executive sessions used to discuss legal actions, wage negotiations, and other subjects authorized by law to be kept confidential.
Many of the board’s meetings are shown live on Clark-Vancouver Television, CVTV, cable channels 23 and 21. They are also available as streaming video on the commissioners Web site at www.clark.wa.gov/bocc/hearings/hearings.html.
Commissioners: Where and when they meet
The commissioners hearing room is on the sixth floor of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA.
The board's weekly schedule, including public hearings, is posted in:
- The Sunday Columbian
- The commissioner's web site
For more information, you can also call the Commissioners Office at (360) 397-2232.
