COUNTY: Study group voted for no change

The Optional Forms of Government Study Commission was not discontinued due to persuasive testimony by any one group. The study group worked for a year and heard many public comments. No commenters were ever asked to identify their affiliation.  

The study group reviewed possible changes to our county government to make it more responsive to our current (171,000+ pop) community. The existing county government form provides for three elected county commissioners and six elected department heads. The discussions included creating five or seven elected commissioners with smaller districts, increasing accountability to the voters in each district.

Currently, we elect six department heads: coroner, treasurer, clerk, assessor, prosecutor and sheriff. These departments’ duties are defined by state statute. The three elected county commissioners have minimal authority over these departments. Numerous other county agencies are headed by an administrator hired and fired by our elected county commissioners. Why should we elect a coroner or an assessor? Their appointment by the county commission should provide greater oversight by the elected commissioners.

The Study Group consisting of nine members concluded that some change would create a more effective, efficient and responsive government. It concluded that five or seven elected commissioners would improve our representation. Although the sheriff and the prosecutor would remain as elected, the other four could possibly be appointed by the commissioners. Due to a last-minute change in the nine-member study group, a 5-4 approval recommendation to the county commission reverted to a 5-4 vote for no change. The state statute requires any changes to be placed on the ballot to be voted on by the community. No community voting was provided.

PHIL WARD

Coeur d’Alene