Daniels County To Decide On Government Changes

Daniels County residents will decide if they want changes their local government operations during an election on Nov. 3.

The county’s local government study commission is recommending two changes for local government: • Change to commission form with elected officials. Making this change now will allow voters to have more changes in the future as needed.

• Change to non-partisan elections when choosing Daniels County’s county officials.

The study commission consists of Joan Bjarko as chair, Tell Wilson as vice chair, Marla Gray and ex-offico/secretary Jessica Larson.

According to the local government study commission’s final report, the commission form of government will consist of three members elected to six-year terms of office. The three members must be elected by the qualified electors voting at large for candidates who reside in each district. The commission will have general government powers.

The report reads, “After a study of nearly two years, it is the decision of the study commission to recommend changes in the structure of county government that will provide a governmental framework to meet the changing needs of this county. Problem areas identified during the study by research, discussion, public hearings, and citizen surveys indi- cate that in exercising its traditional functions, county government lacks the authority to make changes in its structure as needs arise. County government must have more control over its organizational structure so that it can act effectively and oversee the performance of county functions.”

The report notes that Daniels County’s population has decreased in every census since 1930. Citizen demands for services are rising. The report said changing from an elected county official form to commission form would allow county commissioners in the future to propose necessary changes to voters.

Surveys conducted show a strong citizen preference for hiring rather than electing county officials. Study commissioners concluded, however, that changes for specific offices should be presented to voters as needed in future elections.

Currently, Daniels County residents elect a three member board of county commissioners to six-year overlapping terms. Commissioners serve as the executive branch of the county government and are responsible for the administration of the business affairs of the county. Under the existing form of government, commissioners have rather limited authority to supervise officials and employees of the county government. The only control they have over departments headed by elected officials is through the county budget.

If a change of local government is approved by voters to a commission form, elected county positions can be either elected, appointed by the commission, appointed by the presiding officer, selected by ordinance provision or may not even be included as a separate office. Currently, all those offices must be elected.

In the commission form, all legislative, executive and administrative powers and duties of the local government not specifically reserved by law or ordinance to other elected officers shall reside in the commission or council. The commission shall appoint the heads of departments and other employees, except for those appointed by other elected officials.

The report by the study commission reads, “County elected officials are independent of all but budget control by county commissioners who have almost no authority to supervise them or to coordinate activities of various departments. As an example, even purchasing is not centralized at the present time, but is handled by each department. The duties and functions of each officer are authorized in state law and any eligible voter regardless of qualifications can run for county office. While these officials feel they are responsible to the voters, the voters in fact rarely know who county officials are or if they perform their duties adequately. The demands of efficiently running the S9.8 million business of county government may someday require the county to hire department heads based on qualifications for the iob. As Daniels County transitions to a smaller and older workforce, which may lack interest in seeking election to county offices, it may be advantageous to hire experienced employees based on merit.”

Survey responses also showed a strong preference for non-partisan election for county officials.