Government Affairs

The T.C.A.R. Government Affairs program is managed by the Government Affairs Director or GAD. The GAD is responsible for managing local government affairs for the T.C.A.R. Board of Directors. The over arching goal is to make sure that the association has a seat at the table when significant matters of real estate are before Tuolumne County government, key county staff, community organizations, and business leaders.

C.A.R. leadership developed the role of a GAD, and encourages local AORs to employ GADs. C.A.R. and N.A.R. government affairs staff offer ongoing education and support for GADs.

The GAD acts as the first line liaison to local government for the T.C.A.R. Board, and may represent the T.C.A.R. board on various county and business committees. By board action, the GAD may represent a position of the board on a specific issue in writing or by public comment at a county meeting.

• Monitor the Board of Supervisors meeting agendas for items relevant to real estate;
• Review and follow the Board of Supervisors Planning Committee yearly Work Plan;
• Assist association members with activities during C.A.R. Legislative Week in Sacramento;
• Follow and advise the T.C.A.R. Board of Directors for possible action on issues such as:
  • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);
  • Cultural resources management;
  • Activities and programs of the TC Economic Development Authority;
  • Fire safety, Defensible Space and fire hazard homeowner insurance issues;
  • County housing programs and foreclosure intervention;
  • Progress of the building industry’s (County) Development Process Review Team;
  • Regulatory changes affecting on-site wastewater treatment systems;
  • County zoning regulations affecting housing and development;
  • County sign ordinance updates;
  • Biological resources conservation and regulation programs;
  • Arrange for T.C.A.R. participation in county land use planning programs such as the Blue Print Project (“Tuolumne Tomorrow”).
  • Arrange for member education as needed on the issues listed above;
  • Organize and coordinate local government candidate interviews and “meet the candidates” general membership meetings during election cycles;
  • Coordinate and attend regular meetings with county supervisors, county administrator and other key county staff;
  • Look for opportunities for T.C.A.R. to sponsor local conferences related to housing and development. Through a N.A.R. grant, T.C.A.R. was a major sponsor in 2008 of a county- wide Smart Growth Conference.
  • Represent the T.C.A.R. Board and the Local Governmental Relations Committee at meetings of the county Housing Policy Committee;
  • Represent the T.C.A.R. Board at meetings of the Tuolumne County Business Council;
  • Write the “Government Affairs – GAD Corner” monthly for the T.C.A.R. Newsletter;