According to observers, newly anointed commissioner Fred Messerle asked for a feasibility study $75,000 line item during yesterday’s budget work session. Rumblings about changing how Coos County is governed began months ago with a forum put on by the League of Women Voters last fall. We heard it again from Commissioner Parry the day Messerle was appointed along with Parry’s perspective that government is really a big business.

Presumably, outside consultants would be paid up to $75,000 to evaluate different models of local government such as increasing the number of commissioners and hiring a paid executive to run the county administrative functions. No details were given on who would perform this study but I hope it isn’t ECONorthwest.

Disregarding the obvious question of incurring such an expense during a time of Draconian budget cuts, layoffs and department closures rather than using a volunteer exploratory committee, it is scary that two unelected commissioners are introducing such sweeping changes so quickly. Remember, neither Parry nor Messerle are elected by the people nor are the citizen committees they are appointing to oversee things like the road department.

Changes may well be in order in Coos County but they had best wait until the electorate has a real chance to weigh in and elect a more diverse commission.