Knox County voters face charter proposal

ROCKLAND – Knox County government will be reorganized if residents approve a proposed charter Nov. 2.

For the past year, a charter commission made up of elected and appointed members has studied the makeup of county government with an eye to making it more efficient.

If the proposal wins voter approval, the charter becomes the document that describes county powers and responsibilities.

Among the proposed charter’s key recommendations:

. Appointing a county administrator.

. Eliminating the elected treasurer and registrar of deeds jobs, replacing them with full-time appointed positions.

. Empowering county government to enter into agreements with other counties and municipalities to perform certain functions, such as contracting with municipalities to provide assessing services.

The commission began meeting in January, and held several public hearings on its work around the county.

Before the vote that created the charter commission, some in Knox County government questioned the need for a charter. Only Aroostook County has a charter, though charters have been proposed in other counties. Without a charter, county government relies on state law alone to describe its duties and responsibilities.

The recommendation to create a county administrator is bound to spark some opposition. Two years ago, county commissioners discussed creating the position, but almost all the county’s department heads registered their opposition to the idea.

County employees argued that an administrator – in a role similar to that of a city manager – would create another layer between departments and commissioners, making it more difficult for them to communicate their needs.

County Clerk Virginia Lindsey, whom commissioners informally were considering for the post, argued that an administrator could help department heads prepare budgets, deal with personnel issues and could save the county money with a comprehensive purchasing policy.

The proposed charter says that a county administrator would be appointed by commissioners “on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications, with special reference to actual experience in and knowledge of the duties of the office.”

The administrator, whose pay would be set by commissioners, would be the county’s “chief administrative official,” according to the proposed charter, “and is responsible for the administration of all departments and offices controlled by the commission.”

The administrator would:

. Direct the operation of all county departments and offices.

. Act as purchasing agent for all county departments and offices.

. Assure that policies and regulations were carried out.

. Oversee the county clerk.

The proposed charter also calls for ending the election of county treasurer and county registrar of deeds in favor of having the commissioners appoint people to those posts. In discussion, the charter panel noted that it was possible for an unqualified person to be elected to the positions for which a high level of skills is required.

The current treasurer and registrar of deeds would complete their terms, according to the proposed charter, then could apply for the jobs to the commissioners.

The sheriff, district attorney, judge of probate and registrar of probate positions would remain elected under the document. The proposed charter notes that each would supervise their own work and department, but would work cooperatively with the county administrator on matters of financial and personnel management.

The elected members of the commission are: Ed Glaser of Rockland, Charles Siletti of Owls Head, John Grossbaum of St. George, Greg Hamlin of Thomaston, William Jones of Hope, James Bowers of Washington and chairwoman Sandra Jordan of Thomaston. The panel included Knox County Commissioner Lawrence Nash of Camden and state Rep. Stephen Bowen, R-Rockport.