Charter Review Committee Seeks Changes to County Government Structure
Assembly Delegates to Discuss Recommendations at Next Meeting
For Immediate Release July 10, 2025 (Barnstable, MA) — The Barnstable County Charter Review Committee has voted to recommend changes to the structure of Cape Cod’s government as part of its mandated 5-year periodic review.
At a meeting yesterday, the committee heard from Senators Henri Rauschenbach and Robert O’Leary, who combined represented the Cape and Islands in Boston for over two decades. The two co-chaired a 2012 Special Commission on County Governance that sought many changes that were not implemented. They discussed the structure of the county government and the need for changes to make it more efficient and relevant.
“I think county government is really about trying to develop some regional programs that make sense, that strengthen and enhance the quality of life here on the Cape. We were trying to reshape the county from an entity that was an administrative arm of the state to an entity that was an administrative arm of the towns in a way that was collaborative and regional in nature. I think in the end we ended up with a structure that kind of became more inward looking rather than outward looking,” said O’Leary.
“Part of this process, other than structure, is how can the county maintain what it’s doing now and be more relevant for the future, with purposes that can be fulfilled collaboratively with the towns,” said Rauschenbach.
“We do need to look at the structure. It’s important that we give it a fair shake and be willing to possibly put something to the voters to let them make some decisions,” said Patrick Princi, a committee member and former leader of the government’s legislative body. “It’s time we put something together to make this county work more effectively, efficiently, and to perhaps bring in more revenue and work more collaboratively with a regional emphasis for the people of Cape Cod,” said Princi.
“The Charter Review Committee has taken the first step in exploring substantive changes to the structure of Barnstable County Government. Our goal is a more responsive and efficient governance structure that will meet the current and future needs of the county,” said committee Vice-Chair Michaela Wyman-Colombo, also Mashpee’s delegate to the county.
The Assembly of Delegates will discuss the committee’s recommendation at its meeting on July 16th.
ABOUT THE BARNSTABLE COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE The Barnstable Charter Review Committee is charged by the Assembly of Delegates, Cape Cod Regional Government’s legislative body, with reviewing the charter every five years. Learn more at https://www.capecod.gov/county-government/charter-review/2025-charter-review/
ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF CAPE COD Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offer a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov
