By Fred Kirby
On 10 July, the World newspaper reported that the two appointed county commissioners have agreed that a referendum regarding a change in the structure of county government and the appointment of an all-powerful county administrator will appear on the November ballot. Apparently elected commissioner Main voted no. Further, it was reported that the commissioners have decided that the proposed referendum will authorize an increase in the number of commissioners from three to five, full time, who are unpaid except for a $1,000 monthly stipend. Further, Commissioner Parry and county counsel are drafting a referendum title and administrator job description (hopefully in as much detail as the proposed county Charter ballot measure) for consideration at the next scheduled county commissioner’s Board meeting.
Dear County Commissioners, PLEASE slow down. The voters deserve more than a one week effort regarding this, the most controversial of county matters being debated by the citizens. There is so much beyond a job description and referendum title to be considered; and so many questions to be answered by you before any referendum is set before the voters. If passed, who will appoint the administrator – a majority of the present three commissioners or the newly elected five? Will your referendum authorize the administrator’s staff and the probable $600,000 or more first year expense for the administrator, staff, administrator’s offices construction expense and special election? The administrator will be ineffective without staff. Where is the citizen’s money for administrator, staff, etc. coming from? What is your in depth job description for the five underpaid county commissioners? Will each of the six current candidates for the office of county commissioner immediately agree to work full time and for no other employer (especially a sovereign nation) concurrently, for the token $1,000 / month stipend, if elected in November? If not, it’s time for them to drop out of the race and for “write in” candidates to declare their candidacy. What are the legal ramifications if your referendum to employ a county administrator and the ARRRG organization’s proposed amended County Charter ballot measure that prohibits a county administrator both succeed at the ballot box? Who will be paying the many lawyers to resolve that conundrum?
The citizens deserve your answers to these questions and so much more at the next Board of Commissioners meeting – BEFORE you proceed with your effort to rush the county administrator referendum to a vote.
The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of MGx.
