By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
The possibility of increasing the number of Geary County Commissioners from three members up to five members received attention at the weekly meeting of the governing body but no immediate action is expected.
Commissioner Trish Giordano put the subject on the agenda. "Some people at the Economic Development ( Commission ) meeting talked about it. This isn't the first time I've been approached so thought I would bring it up to the other two commissioners and just get the public talking about it."
Giordano thinks that the the current commissioner salaries could be added together and divided by five. Right now because of the Kansaas Open Meeting Law two commissioners cannot talk to one another on county business ouside of a public meeeting. "I just think it would be more efficient to talk to another commissioner especially when we are the main administrators of the county. When there's an issue that comes up we need to be able to discuss that."
Commissioner Kathy Tremont called it a good discussion and said ultimately it would have to go to a vote of the people. "It's been kind of happening around Kansas, moving from three to five commissioners. But ultimately we need to do what's best for the citizens of Geary County and how that they will be represented."
Commissioner Keith Ascher said he didn't understand what the purpose was for changing the number of members. "What efficiency are we taking about?" There are several Kansas counties that have gone to five commissioners but the majority have three. "Geary is the second smallest in land area. Riley County has double the population. They have three."
During the commission meeting Giordano listed three counties that have five commissioners including Hamilton, Saline and Pottawatomie. Others mentioned during discussion included Douglas and Marion counties.She noted that Saline County reduced their pay when they went to five . Their entire pay is less than the total for the Geary County Commission. Ascher noted be careful what you ask for while Tremont expressed an interest in getting more of the public's opinion. She noted one concern that sometimes it's hard to get even three people to run for the office.
Giordano will report back on the subject to the EDC board.
The addition of two county commissioners would require approval in a general election. It would take five percent of the registered voters for a petition to the commission to call an election. If the county then approved a resolution the matter could be put on the general election ballot in November of 2026.
One other issue raised was the cost of remodeling that would be necessary in the commission chambers if the number of members increases.
There was not any final action taken by the governing body on Monday.