Professionalism, not power

["Priscilla Salant" <psalant@moscow.com>]

I commend the Latah County Board of Commissioners for supporting the
proposed Optional Forms of County Government ballot measure.  The
commissioners’ position is forward looking, well-suited to the needs of a
growing county, and in keeping with that of county commissioners across the
West.

The most important element of the proposed measure is that Latah County
would have a new, appointed position of county manager.  The person
selected for this job would be responsible for the increasingly complex
task of county administration, thus freeing commissioners to focus on
policy issues.  Most managers in counties the size of our own have a
Master’s degree in Public Administration or similar training.  As our
commissioners recognize, such professional education is needed to deal with
state mandates, cross-jurisdictional issues, intergovernmental agreements,
and other administrative arrangements common to modern county governance. 
The manager’s salary will be a fractional part of the county’s general
fund, and the position is likely to generate large savings owing to
increased efficiency.

Opponents of the proposed measure are concerned that an appointed manager
position would put citizens one step further away from their elected
officials, thus making abuse of power more likely.  On the contrary, the
proposal is about professionalism, not power.  Our commissioners will still
be accountable to voters and responsible for setting the policies that
will, and should, guide administration.

Other provisions of the measure would combine the jobs of treasurer and
assessor into a single appointed position, and make the sheriff and coroner
positions appointed as well.  Again, candidates for these jobs should be
selected based on professional training, not partisan politics.

I encourage all voters in Latah County to join me in voting in favor of the
proposed reform in our county’s system of government.

Priscilla Salant
812 E 7th Street
Moscow, Idaho