By Michael Howell
At the last meeting of the Ravalli County Local Government Study Commission on October 6, the commission considered whether to place the issue of possible non-partisan election of county commissioners on the ballot or not. It had been included in the draft ballot that the commission was developing, and the move by commission members Alan Thompson and Scott Boulanger to remove it from the ballot was defeated twice at the two preceding meetings. But apparently the third time was the charm. At the most recent meeting, which did not have any action on the agenda except to adopt the Tentative Report, the issue was raised again and Commission member Sharon Schroeder changed her previous vote, effectively removing the issue from the ballot being presented to the public now at a series of public hearings.
Schroeder said that she had fielded hundreds of calls over the issue and most people said that the commissioner elections should remain partisan. She said that the commission had heard from the public consistently that the number of commissioners on the board was an important issue and most people wanted to reduce the number from five to three. But she claimed that while the issue of five versus three was brought forward by the public in their comments, she believes that the commission itself brought forward the issue of non-partisan election of commissioners.
“It’s confusing for people and I don’t want to make a partisan issue out of a non-partisan issue,” said Schroeder.
Commission member Marilee Shockley said that she had heard from a lot of people and they were saying they want a chance to vote on it.
“That’s been my experience too,” said commission member George Corn. “The voters want to decide the issue.” He referred to the Federalist Papers and said, “One of America’s ideals is to let the public decide.”
Boulanger said, “If someone wants to run for office they should come out and say what they are, R or D.”
Thompson referred to the “fiasco” in the Treasurer’s office, “when someone was appointed to a position on a partisan basis that was not qualified.” He said he stated early on that positions such as treasurer, and clerk of court that have statutory duties and obligations defining their work could be elected on a non-partisan basis, but policy makers, like the commissioners, should be partisan.
The motion to remove the question from the draft ballot was approved on a 3 to 2 vote.
As it now stands, the Local Government Study Commission is unanimous in recommending that the county continue to operate under its current form of government, the commission form. They were also unanimous in recommending that the number of commissioners be reduced from five to three.
The majority, three out of five of the LGSC members, recommend six-year terms of office for the county commissioners with one commission seat elected every two years. “Six year terms will provide more continuity and stability with staggered terms and a stronger base of knowledge for continuing government leadership,” states the majority. The minority opinion was that four-year terms provide for equally effective government and provide for a quicker turnaround. They believe that four-year terms make elected officials more responsive to the voters and gives maximum power to the voters. “In years in which two commissioners are elected it gives voters the power to totally correct the course of government if voters feel that is necessary,” states the minority report.
The majority (4 to 1) also recommends that the commissioners be elected at-large, as is currently the case. Citizens “expressed that since commissioners make decisions that affect the entire county, all voters should choose who represents them.” The minority view was that some communities have different needs and they would like to elect the commissioner from their district who better understands and represents the needs of that particular district.
The majority (3 to 2) of the LGSC recommends partisan elections for the county commission, but either partisan or non-partisan for the other offices. The report notes that four LGSC members favor retaining partisan election for county commissioners and all the members favor all other officials to be elected on a non-partisan basis.
The voters will weigh in on the Local Government Study Commission’s recommendations at a special election to be held with the primary election of June 7, 2016. The date of the primary election for officers of the new government would be June 5, 2018. The date of the General Election for officers of the new government would be November 6, 2018.
Discussion of the commission’s Final Report and recommendations is now proceeding through a series of public hearings. One was held in Florence last week and the rest are scheduled for:
• CORVALLIS – Tuesday, October 13 at 7 pm at the Corvallis School Lunch Room.
• VICTOR – Wednesday, October 14 at 7 pm at the Victor School Multi-purpose Room.
• STEVENSVILLE – Thursday, October 15 at 7 pm at the Stevensville Middle School choir room.
• DARBY – Tuesday, October 20 at 7 pm at the Darby School Lunch Room.
• HAMILTON – Wednesday, October 21 at 7 pm at the Hamilton School District Administration Building.