So close.
Members of the Lancaster County Government Study Commission hoped to finish the preliminary draft of the proposed county home rule charter at the group's meeting Saturday morning at the Ephrata Public Library. But extended discussion over how much future commissioners and row officers should be paid, along with other issues, forced the study group to put off finishing its first draft until the next meeting on April 1.
Meanwhile, members have already begun to talk about holding a series of public meetings, where they want to hear what local citizens think of the document. Chief among their concerns is just how much power citizens think they need under the new form of government.
Specifically, one of the most important points yet to be decided is whether the charter should permit referendums on public spending and debt. Some commissioners worried that Lancaster County might turn into California, where widespread use of ballot initiatives is believed to have led to fiscal gridlock. But other commissioners said referendums allowing the public to limit government spending are essential — especially at a time when county debt is mounting.
"Our high rate of debt over the last five years is chewing up our debt capacity at an alarming rate," said commissioner John Smucker. "At the current rate, we will be at our debt limit in two, three or four years. ... Given the realities of our political system today, it seems politicians have an inability" to stop borrowing and spending.
Commissioner Heidi Wheaton cited Hourglass Foundation figures showing that the county's current $266 million in debt could rise to $426 million by 2011 with construction of a new prison. "We elect people who say they're conservative, but this isn't conservative," said Wheaton.
"We've got to have something on referendum in this charter."
But commissioner James Miller noted that the charter itself can't dictate how county government spends its money. "These are decisions that get made by government, and the charter can provide a framework for those decisions, but not to constrain those we elect."
As currently written, the charter only provides for citizen-initiated referendums to change the charter itself; commissioners voted 5-4 against adding language that would permit spending referendums, but could revisit the issue if the public expresses strong views on it at upcoming meetings.
Discussion then shifted to the issue of compensation. Initially, commissioners proposed setting the rate of pay for the five-member board of county commissioners that the charter would create at $92,465 annually, with the board chairman getting an additional $1,000. But some commissioners wondered: With five commissioners instead of three, in addition to the county executive that would be hired under the proposed charter, could the commissioner position still be described as "full-time" — and, if not, shouldn't it pay less?
"Salaries shouldn't necessarily be what they are today," asserted Miller. This year, the three Lancaster County commissioners will make $86,359.
But other members of the study group noted that paying incumbents more than the new commissioners who would be added to the board in 2010, if the charter is approved could create friction. And, said commissioner Jim Huber — himself a former county commissioner — the job now is "more than full-time." He had little doubt that even with some duties taken over by the county administrator, it still would be.
Ultimately, commissioners decided to pay any new commissioners added under the charter the same rate that incumbent commissioners will be paid in 2010. That rate hasn't yet been set.
But the issue of row officer compensation tripped up the group. Some members want to keep the current system. Now, all row officers, such as prothonotary, recorder of deeds and clerk of courts — are paid the same amount, except for the register of wills, who makes more, and jury commissioners, who make less.
"I don't see that a person with a staff of six should make the same as a person with a staff of 50," said Smucker. Others suggested that row officers who are able to boost efficiency and downsize their office shouldn't be penalized. Commissioners ultimately deferred the item to their next meeting, scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, in Room 502 of the Lancaster County Courthouse.
Gil Smart is associate editor of the Sunday News. E-mail him at gsmart@lnpnews.com, or phone 291-8817. 