The organizational structure of county governments could change under a proposed constitutional amendment heard by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan. 23.<\/p>\n
Citizens would have the option of voting to adopt a county manager form of government if LR12CA is passed by the Legislature. Scottsbluff Sen. John Harms cited the existing city manager structure of government as the model for his proposal. Counties would benefit from having one central manager to ensure operations run smoothly, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTimes have changed. County government today is truly big business and it needs to be treated as such,\u201d Harms said. \u201cThis gives citizens an opportunity to make government more transparent.\u201d<\/p>\n
If the Legislature were to pass the constitutional amendment, the measure would be subject to voter approval. Then a bill outlining the specific procedures for implementing the new form of government would need to be passed.<\/p>\n
Central City Administrator Chris Anderson, representing the International City\/County Management Association, testified in support of the bill. He said a county manager would be a great fit for some counties.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn cases where the system has great inefficiencies, this can be a very helpful option,\u201d he said. \u201cCounty managers can provide management expertise in a nonpartisan manner.\u201d<\/p>\n
League of Nebraska Municipalities representative Lynn Rex also testified in support of the bill, saying that the solution is not right for every county but the option should be offered.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is simply an option,\u201d Rex said. \u201cThis just gives citizens the opportunity to authorize the Legislature to consider it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Douglas County Clerk Tom Cavanaugh testified in a neutral capacity. He agreed with the intent of the bill but said citizens should have the power to elect a county manager.<\/p>\n
\u201cCounty officials should be accountable to the citizens,\u201d he said. \u201cThey should be able to remove the person if they feel he\u2019s not performing.\u201d<\/p>\n
No one testified in opposition to the bill and the committee took no immediate action on it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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