Tuesday, April 03, 2007
2010: Target Year for County Row Office Reform
Last week we wrote that a referendum question to make the Sheriff an appointed position was thwarted by a decision by a Court of Common Pleas judge. We argued that an appeal would have a good chance against the case law on the matter, but the County has opted to not pursue one. In short, the case law has interpreted the home rule statute to mean that a county or municipality must wait five years between each change in its form of government.
The County has instead reluctantly accepted the decision and will wait for the legally-interpreted five year waiting period for proposing another change to County government.
So there is some time for a serious examination and to plot a course for the next referendum. The Sheriff’s office ought to be made appointed and consolidated with the County police. The County ought to also look at the need for maintaining an elected Treasurer, which we have previously argued should be made an appointed position. The functions of that office could be combined with the Budget and Finance office.
That would leave the County with an elected Executive, County Council, Controller, and District Attorney.
The County has instead reluctantly accepted the decision and will wait for the legally-interpreted five year waiting period for proposing another change to County government.
So there is some time for a serious examination and to plot a course for the next referendum. The Sheriff’s office ought to be made appointed and consolidated with the County police. The County ought to also look at the need for maintaining an elected Treasurer, which we have previously argued should be made an appointed position. The functions of that office could be combined with the Budget and Finance office.
That would leave the County with an elected Executive, County Council, Controller, and District Attorney.
