Committees question proposed board mergers - Gazette

Bills call for cutting citizens advisory groups from 84 to 72 as cost saving measure

by Jason Tomassini | Staff Writer | Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Several members of citizens committees marked for elimination in a proposed bill spoke out against the measure Tuesday, questioning whether it could save the county any money as the bill's sponsor has claimed.

As part of two bills that would cut the number of county citizens groups from 84 to 72, Councilman George L. Leventhal has proposed the Silver Spring Urban District Advisory Committee and Transportation Management District Advisory Committee be merged with the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board.

Leventhal (D-At large) of Takoma Park said the bills could save the county at least four weeks and up to four months of staff time per year. Paid county employees are required to attend committee meetings and prepare agendas.

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