Study Commission Has Measures On Daniels County Ballot

Study commissioners elected by Daniels County voters nearly two years ago have finished their work and proposed two questions for the Nov. 3 ballot.

• Shall Daniels County adopt the Commission form of government or retain the existing form of government?

• Shall county elections be conducted on a nonpartisan basis (no political party identification) or a partisan basis (political party identification)?

After conducting two countywide surveys, holding two public hearings, and having numerous monthly meetings, the study commissioners are recommending changing to the commission form of county government and switching to nonpartisan elections. If approved by voters, the changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Most people who follow county government would think the commission form has existed since the county was founded in 1920. What Daniels County has, however, is the elected county official form. State law dictates how each form can operate, and there are numerous differences.

The biggest difference is that in future years the Commission form allows citizens, by petition, or county commissioners, by ordinance, to put other wanted changes in the form of government on the ballot for voter approval.

County residents who responded to the study commission surveys favored many of the possible changes that could occur with the Commission form. But the first step is for voters to adopt the change that makes them possible. The study commission sees voter approval of the Commission form as analogous to putting a necessary tool in the toolbox for responding to future needs.

For example, the demands of efficiently running nearly $10 million business of county government may someday require the county to hire department heads based on qualifications for the job. Most departments are now headed by elected officials. 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.

The study commission determined there already is significant support for hiring county officials based on merit (54 percent in favor, 31 percent opposed, 14 percent no opinion). This change, however, does not need to be made in 2026, but the option should be available to voters as the need arises.

Online and paper survey responses also showed a strong preference (50 percent in favor, 31 percent opposed, 19 percent no opinion) for nonpartisan elections for county officials.

The full report of the study commission is available on the county website danielscountymt. gov. At the site, select Departments and then Local Government Study Commission to read the final report. Printed reports are available in the Clerk & Recorder’s office at the courthouse. Sample ballots can also be viewed on the county website. Select Departments and then Clerk & Recorder/Elections.