Hawkins: County Executive referendum viewpoints in 2004

As Election Day (November 5) draws near, arguably the most controversial initiative on the ballot is the county referendum to revert back to the council-manager form of government from the current council-executive model. It seems the arguments for and against the different forms of governing mirror those in 2004 when the voters approved the change to the county executive.
In a council-executive form of government, the voters elect council members and a county executive. The council performs legislative functions; the county executive performs executive functions. The executive manages county services while the council performs legislative oversight.

Under the council-manager, voters elect council members. The county council performs legislative and executive functions. The council appoints an administrator who manages county services under the direction of the council.

Arguments in favor of the council-executive start with one individual heading county government on a full-time basis, creating greater efficiency, especially in an ever increasingly complex government structure. That concentration of power allows the executive to be the primary spokesman and lobbyist for the county. The executive is responsible to the voters for his/her county management. The two branches provide a check and balance to one another.
The council-manager on the other hand offers all government activity unified in a single body—the county council. Checks and balances occur through a political process featuring seven elected officials. A highly credentialed administrator is hired through a competitive process, providing the county with a professional manager less likely to be guided by political reasoning. Government gridlock is minimized by the resulting unified government.
Arguments against the council-executive include the lack of assurances that the candidates are sufficiently qualified for the position. The cost of this form of government exceeds the council-manager, estimates ranging from $200,000 to $800,000.
Whereas, critics of the council-manager form cite a lack of political accountability for county operations by virtue of spreading decision-making among seven council members, inevitably leading to disagreements and lack of consensus.

In 2004, community leaders voiced their opinions, pro and con.
“What’s missing in Wicomico County is a plan for the future,” said John Bartkovich, the county’s Republican chairman in 2004. “That’s why we need a single CEO who can manage a (then) $100 million (now $160 million) budget. A committee is never forward looking.”

Switching to a council-executive form of government would mean sacrificing “power, money, representation and openness,” said then council member Phil Tilghman (D). “A recent study estimates the start-up cost is $437,000. Do we want to spend more money on government or is it better to spend our limited resources on services, capital projects, roads and education or public safety. Our current council conducts executive business of the county in public meetings—its sessions are even broadcast on PAC-14. Why would we sacrifice that openness? We have the best of the democratic process with the current system.”

“The question is,” said Vic Laws, Jr. (D), former Wicomico County councilman, “can seven part-timers keep up? No matter how hard they work or how many hours they put in, can they manage and properly supervise this big public business—and still think about and plan for its future direction and growth? My esperience—16 years on the council—convinces me no part-timers can manage, supervise, administer, legislate and also plan adequately for our future.”

“…(A) concern is the concentration of power into the hands of one individual,” said Marvin Long (D), then a county council member. “Proponents argue it will provide greater accountability. However, I think there is a real push to accomplish the other ‘A” word—accessibility. If you look at the federal and state you will find power is concentrated in those making major contributions or who can utilize expensive lobbyists to gain greater access to the top executive. Is that what we want in Wicomico County?”

The change to a council-executive form of government will “cost more money, hundreds of thousands of dollars more,” said former County Council President Henry Parker (D). “I don’t think the change will be a better government than the one we have—just more expensive.”

Also, added Parker, “It will put way too much power in the hands of one person. No matter how good a person who gets elected may be,” the county will be better served by decisions “made based on the best thinking of a seven-member county council.”

“I support the change … to a council- executive form of government,” said Bob Caldwell (R),  a future county councilman. “I believe it’s healthy to separate the legislative and executive powers. Equally important, I think the process of electing a county executive is a more substantive, focused discussion about the future of Wicomico County.”

“The citizens of Wicomico County deserve the leadership, accountability and collaboration a council-executive brings to the table,” said Stevie Prettyman (R), then a councilwoman. “A full-time county executive would have the high profile and political clout to bring focus and vision to countywide issues and promote a progressive leadership agenda.

“The proverbial buck needs to stop at one desk that people vote for and know,” Prettyman continued,” not seven desks. Residents can participate in electing their county leader and can reject or affirm that leader based on performance.
“An elected county executive would be a new force and catalyst to promote and provide the dialogue and environment that is absolutely essential for the future health and growth of Wicomico County. The executive could build consensus on important issues of public policy such as economic development, as well as be in a position of leadership in county and regional long-range and strategic planning.”

“I fear if the county’s function becomes limited to legislative functions,” said Ed Taylor (D), then a county councilman, “the relationship with department heads and other county employees will become non-existent. A county executive could not possibly provide this human contact.

He added, “The placement of a county executive through the election process will not assure we have elected someone with the (relevant) credentials. The possibility exists that a person who is popular or who can fund an expensive campaign could become county executive without the proper or necessary credentials for the job.”

These same arguments are being heard this fall as a new referendum gives voters the choice to return to the council-manager form of government.

On the November ballot, the Charter Revision is labeled Question A. A vote “For the Charter Amendment” is to change to the County Council form of government. A vote “Against the Charter Amendment” is to keep the Elected Executive form of government.