Unnecessary headaches

As well documented by Lee Becker, the Oconee County Commission will take up its proposed ordinance aimed at a restructuring of the local government. If approved, the move would grant more oversight and authority to the commission in an attempt to streamline communication.

Oconee County Commission Chairman Melvin Davis has expressed strong doubts regarding not only the efficiency of the proposed changes, but also about the process in general. Given that Davis will arguably see his influence in the local government diminished, it's understandable he sees some flaws with it. However, it's also important to note that Davis's concerns aren't solely aimed at self-preservation.

In fact, the more I take a look at the proposed ordinance, the more questions I have.

Davis's primary contention is that this is a move toward a county manager form of government, but without the appropriate and necessary public input that should go into such a transition. In an interview with me, he argued such a drastic type of change would be different than how the Georgia General Assembly has authorized Oconee County to function (with its elected chairman position).

Becker argued that, without unanimous support from the commission, such a change at the state level is unlikely ...

Davis said that the other four members of the commission are trying to "change our form of government without voter input and approval." He said citizen input is needed and, if "citizens desire a change, then it should be implemented the proper way."

Davis doesn’t say this in his column, but he knows that state Rep. Bob Smith and state Sen. Bill Cowsert are not likely to introduce any legislation to the state General Assembly for approval unless there is agreement of the full board about what it should contain.

There appear to be some elements of truth to Davis's concern, which is apparent when you take a look at the proposed organizational chart. The transition would grant new powers to the administrative officer that would parallel those imbued to a county manager.

If the responsibility for the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the community is transferred to the administrative officer, and that position along with the financial officer will now report directly to the Oconee County Commission, then I'm just hard-pressed to find out what it is Davis will be doing. It would seem that the commission is merely transforming his position into a full-time spokesman for that governmental body, which would hardly be an efficient use of resources.

Granted, the proposed ordinance lays out the various responsibilities the chairman would have - ranging from public relations to economic development to reviewing the actions of various department heads - but I fail to see how those responsibilities differ from those of the other commissioners.

Furthermore, if the whole goal of this restructuring is to enhance communication and increase the authority of the commission (which the organizational chart clearly suggsts), then how does Davis having the power to 'review' the administrative officer differ from the commission being given new oversight powers over that position?

In the grand scheme of things, it seems the chairman position will settle into that of a typical commission seat ... except with full-time hours and more money involved.

Philosophically, I'm more inclined to be supportive of a strong mayor/chairman form of local government as opposed to a county manager form of government, with a county commission/city council being utilized as a check and balance (then again, I also philosophically support county commissions and city councils managing our local school systems rather than elected school boards, but that's another debate).

The citizens of Oconee County went to the polls, understanding how this current form of government was set up and knowing what responsibilities Davis had, and they re-elected him to a third term (albeit narrowly). A restructuring, barely one-fourth of the way into that term, that completely changes those responsibilities doesn't seem to be the most effective way to bring about the change the commission wants.