Rehoboth sticking with existing committee structure

After more than a year of discussion, Rehoboth Beach commissioners have decided to forgo a change in the city’s committee structure.

In the name of staff efficiency, former Commissioner Toni Sharp introduced a proposal in November 2023 that would’ve eliminated the city’s five advisory committees in favor of one general committee. Those committees include: streets and transportation, beach and boardwalk, environment, animal issues, and trees and green infrastructure.

There are a number of code- or charter-required committees and boards that were not included as part of the discussion – planning commission, board of adjustment, parks and shade tree, audit, board of elections and personnel.

Mayor Stan Mills has been against the proposal since it was first introduced.

During a meeting Jan. 6, Mills said he was still reluctant to sunset any committees. However, he said, he recognizes there could be tweaks made that would make more efficient use of staff time.

It can be easy to resolve the challenges of the past, said Mills. He pointed to an effort for more realistic agendas and working on tasks coming from commissioners.

Commissioner Mark Saunders, who has been a member of city boards and task forces in the past, said the city discourages committee participation when members work hard and nothing happens. He suggested committees have specific goals in mind.

Commissioner Edward Chrzanowski said he was in favor of consolidation and also not forcing monthly meetings. Committees could meet four to six times a year rather than every month, he said.

Commissioner Craig Thier, who was sworn into office in September, wondered if the city being without a city manager for the better part of the previous few years had anything to do with some of the committee problems.

Chrzanowski said he didn’t think so because city managers haven’t been too involved in the past.

There was also discussion about the consolidation of committees. For example, streets and transportation with the beach and boardwalk; or environment, animal issues, and trees and green infrastructure.

Resident Carolyn Diefenderfer said committee members need to realize their recommendations may not get adopted.

No formal decisions were made on the subject, but it’s expected to come back for more discussion soon.

Commissioner Suzanne Goode said she would like to see changes made by March because committees often do most of their work from March through October.

Mills was hesitant to put a specific timeline on a decision.