the shape of Latah County government

["bill london" <bill_london@hotmail.com>]

I read David Johnson's piece on the front page of today's Tribune 
(Tuesday, Aug 11) about the county ballot measure about changing the 
form of Latah County government--and realized that I don't really 
understand whether or not this proposed change is a good one.

Eliminating the election of sheriff and the other elected officials 
(except for commissioner and prosecuting attorney) would make things run 
more smoothly by eliminating separate bases of power.  But is a smoothly 
running county government, without the balances that independent 
officials provide to each other, really what we want?

The jobs wouldn't be eliminated, they would just be made appointive 
instead of elected.  That wouldn't save any money.  Adding a highly-paid 
county manager would add a bundle to the tax bill.  But proponents of 
the option explain that "efficiencies" under the new system would save 
us tax money.  Would the commissioners, since they are losing the day to 
day responsibilities of county administration, take a cut in pay?

I hope to read a spirited exchange on this topic on this list.  It seems 
pretty important to me--and a topic that I haven't heard much 
information about.

BL 


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