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To streamline our service delivery, the Board of the Liquor and Cannabis Board is making some strategic changes to the Board meeting, Board caucus and the Executive Management Team (EMT) meeting.
In keeping with Gov. Ferguson’s priority of increasing government efficiency, the Board will be changing to the frequency and conduct of its public meetings. The intent of these changes is to enhance efficiency, productivity, and strengthen community engagement. It will also provide board members with the additional time needed to adequately review material, research relevant information, and talk with content experts on agency business. In addition, it provides more time for strategic policy discussions on any number of topics that our stakeholders are facing.
By streamlining Board operations, optimizing how we allocate resources, and fostering stronger connections with our stakeholders, we hope to further the agency’s overall efforts of being agile and responsive.
Planned Board Efficiencies
The following changes are effective starting March 26, 2025.
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Board Caucus. The Board will meet for caucus every other week to discuss agency business. This represents a change from weekly caucus meetings. Both in-person and online attendance will continue to be available to the public.
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Board Meetings. The Board meetings are moving from twice per month to once per month. The Board is also changing how it will receive public comment. The Board places a great value in public comment. The current process places public comment at the end of the meeting. This does not provide opportunity for the Board to adequately review and consider feedback before taking action.
Going forward, public comment will transition from oral public comment to written comment. The agenda will be posted on the Friday before the board meeting, giving the public time to respond and board members time to review before the meeting occurs. This will give the Board more time to consider comments and have staff follow up. To accommodate written comment, the Board is setting up an email account for submissions. Though not required – we’ve received feedback, and agree, to work out a process for public comment to be posted following each Board meeting.
- The public hearing process, as part of rulemaking, between CR 102 and CR 103 will be decoupled from the Board meeting. The public hearings will be run by staff and held on a different day and time than Board meetings.
- As is the case now, during meetings Board members may engage with staff on related agenda items, but Board members will not respond to inquiries from the public. A removable barrier between board/staff and seating will help keep the meeting flowing without interruption.
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Executive Management Team (EMT). This monthly meeting includes the Board and select division directors. These meetings will remain on a monthly cycle but the Board has proposed transitioning to having a single Board member attend the meetings on a rotating basis. The attending Board member will provide a summary at Caucus to other Board members. The name of the meeting will also change (yet to be determined) to reflect its purpose.
The Board will continue to evaluate and consider how we proceed. While we fully expect the Board moving forward with the above changes, based on stakeholder feedback adjustments may be made. The Board will continue to identify additional opportunities to create efficiencies and streamline processes while remaining open to hear directly from staff who have suggestions they would like considered. I will keep you informed of any additional changes should they occur.
As an agency, we are always driven by our commitment to continuous improvement and public engagement while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The changes will help us bolster that commitment.
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