Expanding commissioners deserves your 'Yes' vote

Rarely is it a good idea when more government is seen as a positive change, but in the case of Spokane County Proposition 1, the Cheney Free Press editorial board thinks it is a good idea to expand the board of Spokane County Commissioners from its present three members to five.

We probably never want to think that our public servants work too hard, but in the case of commissioners, they have many long days. They attend numerous meetings in a week and are likely to serve on just as many boards, which means there is little time to connect with the citizens they represent.

The system of three commissioners dates back to the turn of the 20th Century when our county had a population about one-tenth of what it is today.

But our concerns do not simply rest in lessening long days for well paid public employees. The mechanics of three commissioners, while more fiscally responsible in the eyes of some, just do not produce a good final product in many instances.

The Public Meetings Act prohibits any two of the three from ever meeting, be it for official or unofficial business for fear of being in violation of the law.

Members of the various city councils, or other boards on the West Plains can actually meet over a beer or coffee to talk. Commissioners Al French and Todd Mielke; Shelly O’Quinn and French or Meilke and O’Quinn cannot ever meet in such a setting.

And there are just times when there needs to be discussion of issues outside the public scrutiny, perhaps finding a new way forward in a contentious matter. Remember, voting still must be conducted in a public forum.

There’s no question that recent decisions made by the commissioners make their constituents wonder.

The squabble over hiring of a new CEO for the county — where Mielke was a finalist — needed discussion before the dirty laundry hung in public.

And we all can never forget the short-sidedness of Spokane County getting involved in the racing business, — purchasing the former Spokane Raceway Park away from the private sector — and pumping millions into what, so far, has been a poor investment.

The cost of initiating Proposition 1 has been estimated at between $400,000–$500,000 for the two additional commissioners, including salary and support staff.

But what if spending $500,00 a year could carve more efficiencies out of a $155 million per year budget, one that increased by $13 million in 2015?

Expanding the board to five members would allow residents in District 3 to have a representative who is better and more in touch with our unique circumstances?

Currently District 3 encompasses an area west of the Spokane River and U.S. Highway 195 to the borders of Stevens and Whitman counties to the north and south. To our knowledge Commissioner French sightings are rare at public events on the West Plains, times such as meetings of the chamber of commerce where a wide range of constituents are present. Former commissioner Bonnie Mager, on the other hand, seemed to be more visible because she lived here.

The other change we’ve advocated is eliminate the county-wide general election vote and limit casting ballots to the specific districts a commissioner represents.

If you are asking voters within a specific district to select finalists in a primary, should they not carry that forward in the general election? It’s like asking all of Washington to vote on the 5th District congressional race.

The avalanche of initiatives in Washington state illustrates a desire by the voters to have more say in how their government works. Why would you want less with so much of your hard-earned money on the line?

It’s better representation and more say for the people and that’s why Spokane County Proposition 1 needs your yes vote.