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Change in form of county government

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Collin Coles
Collin Coles asked

Kootenai county Idaho is proposing to put changing the form of county gov. On the November ballot. They are proposing to hire an administrator and appoint some now elected positions such as the treasurer, assessor, coroner and clerk. The change is spelled out in Idaho code as an alternative form. I think this will be beneficial in many ways. A "good" administrator would provide some continuity to county operations and also, as a trained administrator, but more skilled at managing county operations.

There is a growing group who see the potential change as adding additional layers of bureaucracy and reducing the publics opportunity to elect some positions.

I want this to work and am looking for support in telling the benefits of a county manager. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you so much.




Michele Frisby

Collin, ICMA has available a number of resources that discuss the benefits of professional local government management. Go to http://icma.org/formofgovt. and click on "Council Management Form Resource Package" in the overview paragraph. The link will take you to a variety of resources, particularly a brochure under "Value of the Profession" titled "Professional County Government: The Benefits to Your County" (I've attached a pdf). ICMA can make hard copies of the brochure available to you for distribution. Contact Jared Dailey at jdailey@icma.org if you'd like copies or additional assistance. Hope this helps.

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Jacqueline Byers

NACo just released a report governmental change in the new economy. Several of the case studies look at adding a county manager. The study can be found at
http://www.naco.org/research/pubs/Documents/County%20Management%20and%20Structure/Research%20County%20Management%20and%20Structure/Responding%20to%20the%20New%20Realities%20Case%20Studies%20in%20County%20Governance.pdf

 
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Kenneth Decker

As a native of Libby, Montana, and a long-time resident of Spokane, I appreciative some of the dynamics. While ICMA resources may be helpful, I suggest you contact some of the Idaho counties that operate under the form of government Kootenai is considering. Ideally, you could find not only county administrators, but a few folks from those communities who could speak candidly about the advantages and disadvantages. Good luck... moving away from a raft of elected offices is often tough sledding.

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