THIS FAMILIAR SCENE of the Clark County commissioners in session could change if elected “freeholders” propose changes to county government and voters approve the plan next year. The three commissioners could increase to five, and a separately elected county executive could take over running county business.
Even after 25 people filed and later withdrew as candidates for Clark County “freeholders,” 110 names will still appear on the Nov. 5 ballot for the 15 positions.
Once elected, freeholders will study Clark County government and may propose changes in the way county government operates. At a future election, likely in November 2014, voters could adopt the proposed changes, called a county charter, or could decide to leave the county operating as it now does.
Without a county charter, county government is structured as provided under state law. With a county charter, citizens can develop their own design for the way county government operates.
Among the most commonly discussed elements of a “home rule” county charter are:
• Expand the number of elected county commissioners or councilors from three to five.
• Create the position of elected county executive.
• Elect county commissioners solely within their districts instead of countywide.
• Provide citizens with the power to create county laws and change laws through initiatives.
• Appoint, rather than elect, various county officials such as auditor, clerk and treasurer.
• Convert county commissioners to unpaid positions.
• Combine some county offices or create new positions.
In addition, a home rule charter could provide a means for citizens to amend the charter and make changes in the way government operates from time to time.
The entire study and election process took place more than 10 years ago when 15 freeholders were elected in 2000 and offered a “home rule charter” to voters in 2002. Voters then were asked to approve several individual elements of the plan as well as the charter itself. Voters liked the idea of electing county commissioners solely within districts instead of countywide (58 percent yes, 42 percent no), but did not approve anything else, including the charter itself.
The 2002 charter election was close (49.9 percent yes, 50.1 percent no), but voters decided that Clark County would not join the six other counties in the state that now have home rule charters.
Clark County commissioner Tom Mielke spearheaded the revival of the county charter review process. Mielke said he believes it’s important to give citizens choices that are available through the charter process, especially the powers of initiative and referendum.
Mielke also said he prefers the election of commissioners solely within their districts, which he believes would make officials more responsive to the public.
In the Nov. 5 general election, five freeholders will be elected from each of the three county commissioner districts. Candidates run by position. Each of the 15 positions attracted from three to 13 candidates.
Freeholders will serve up to 13 months at which time their terms will expire.
Group invited candidates
An organization called “Clark Forward,” headed by Republican county auditor Greg Kimsey and Democrat county commissioner Steve Stuart, worked to encourage candidates to run for freeholder positions.
Kimsey said he sought out candidates who were serious about the issues and challenges to county government, were collaborative and civil, and could fairly come to agreement with 14 other people. “It’s important to have serious participants,” said Kimsey.
Kimsey said Clark Forward did not seek out candidates with specific views on the structure of county government.
Kimsey said he also looked for candidates who could get elected.
Kimsey said he personally spoke with 30 people who are now among the 110 running for freeholder positions.
Clark Forward believes that the county needs added checks and balances, said Kimsey, noting that such checks and balances could be achieved through a separation of power between the legislative branch and the administrative branch of county government.
That means that the elected commissioners, or councilors, would make laws and policy, and an elected county executive would run the government somewhat independently.
Kimsey also supports an expansion to five commissioners.
“That’s not controversial,” said Kimsey. “In fact, I have not talked to anyone who doesn’t think we should have five commissioners.”
But in 2002, expanding from three to five commissioners was the least favored element of the proposed charter, rejected by voters 62 to 38 percent.
Others involved in the Clark Forward effort include former county Republican Party chair Mike Gaston and former county Democrat Party chair Dan Ogden.
The Clark Forward group started with a list of 400 potential freeholder candidates, said Kimsey.
Of the 110 candidates now running, all but seven, said Kimsey, have submitted photos or statements for the upcoming voters’ pamphlet.
Familiar names on
candidate list
The list of candidates running for freeholder positions includes several current and former elected officials such as county sheriff Garry Lucas, state representatives Liz Pike, Jim Moeller and Ann Rivers, former state senator Joe Zarelli, former state representatives Jim Dunn and Val Ogden, former county commissioners Judie Stanton and Marc Boldt, and current or former city officials Nan Henriksen, Pat Jollota, Ron Onslow, Dale Smith, Troy Van Dinter, David Standal, Darren Wertz and John Main.
More information is available by calling Kimsey, (360) 397-2078. A complete list of the freeholder candidates can be found at www.clark.wa.gov/elections.
Marvin Case may be reached at (360) 687-4122 and at marvincase@msn.com.
