Whether the Blaine County Commission should expand from three to five commissioners in the future will be the focus of discussion Tuesday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. in the Old County Courthouse.
Last Tuesday, the Blaine County Governance Committee recommended that the commissioners pursue such an undertaking, which has been under consideration for several months and would eventually require voter approval.
Commission Chairwoman Sarah Michael plans to present a resolution to her fellow commissioners Tuesday to enact the committee's recommendations.
She would need the approval of either Commissioners Dennis Wright or Tom Bowman to even place the question on the November 2006 ballot. If passed by voters, the expansion would not occur until January 2009.
Michael, like the committee, thinks the move would enhance the efficiency of county government and foster better public representation.
"All this does is give people a chance to talk about it," Michael said. "I just think it's good governance to give people that chance."
Bowman and Wright both expressed hesitation about approving the resolution, especially since the county plans to hire an administrator to enhance management and relieve the commissioners' workload.
"We may find with an administrator that three commissioners are just fine," Bowman said.
"If you have an administrator handle well over half of what the commissioners do today, why do we need two more commissioners?" Wright wondered prior to last Tuesday's meeting. "If the thought is that five works better than three, then why not have seven, why not 10. If it brings diversity of thought, hell, let's have 25."
Larry Schoen, candidate for county commissioner in District 1, which covers the south county, expressed concern for the same reason.
"I strongly believe the county should gain experience with an administrator," said Schoen, who is the current chair of the Blaine County Planning and Zoning Commission.
Mickey Garcia, who is a candidate for county commissioner in District 3, the north county, agreed with Michael.
"The county is antiquated in the form of its government," Garcia said. "In the long run, (expanding to five commissioners) is better for the people in the county."
