Lesley Stedman Weidenbener is reporting that SB 506 was passed out of committee. SB 506 mandates change in local government structure for counties other than Marion County.
SB 506 would give counties two options:
[1] The county council would become the legislative branch of county government, and voters would elect a county executive, who would appoint people to handle various government functions. The structure would be similar to a city’s mayor and council.
[2] The commissioners and council would be scrapped in favor of a seven-member board of supervisors, which would handle executive, fiscal and legislative functions and appoint a county manager to handle day-to-day tasks. That would be similar to the structure of town government.
County commissioners would have the authority to make the choice this fall or they could leave the decision to their constituents, who would vote on it next year. They could not choose to maintain the current structure.
Interesting watching the debate on this issue–the definite statements as to this being absolutely necessary to improve local government. Two choices only and current manner not allowed. Also, while some consolidation being discussed for the state government–why is there not a companion bill eliminating election of a whole lot of state offices—is the old thought applicable–what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
I think another older thought is applicable, “shit runs downhill.”
Even stranger to me- there is concern that SOME counties having township offices while others do not is not acceptable- but we can have two different versions of an executive?
They must be going nuts in Switzerland County over this. They may actually have to have more elected officials.