The proposal was to move to a committee of the whole structure in which the whole board sits as a committee to discuss most issues.

The change would replace a system in which directors are appointed to standing committees — essentially mirroring CRD departments — that make recommendations to the CRD board.

Independent standing committees dealing with electoral services, core area liquid waste management and transportation would remain.

But after considerable debate, directors decided the idea needed more study.

A committee of the whole structure would allow all directors to be privy to information at the same time, bring different perspectives to discussions and potentially reduce the number of meetings directors attend, a staff report said.

It would also free the board for more fulsome discussion and “sober second thought.”

Disadvantages include the potential for lengthy meetings if all directors want to speak to every issue.

Staff also pointed out that board members may not want to spend time on issues that aren’t relevant to their jurisdiction.

In addition, committee of the whole meetings could be repeated at the board level and members of the public may not make the distinction between the two levels.

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