TOLEDO, Ohio -
For the last couple years, Lucas County has explored the idea of changing it's form of government. After study by a special group investigating the idea, a plan and petitions are being circulated.
In a time of budget crunching, governments look for ways to save money.
In Lucas County, some believe that means restructuring a government which is sometimes big and confusing to people it serves.
To this man, and many others, Lucas County's government is bloated, out-of-date and needs changing. Dr. Richard Ruppert is among a group circulating petitions to get a new form of government before voters during the November election. Ruppert tells 13 ABC reporter Bill Hormann, "We have very good people but we believe there's a better way of doing county government that is cost effective."
The plan calls for an elected county executive to run government along with a 9-member elected county council...
The three current commissioners would be out, and seven elected county officials, Auditor, Clerk of Courts, Coroner, Engineer, Recorder, Sheriff and Treasurer would be appointed by the executive.
Current elected Clerk of Courts, Democrat Bernie Quilter says, why change a system that's worked for 130 years. "I'd hate to see this pass and not work and then what do we do," Quilter says.
Two Ohio counties have made the switch: Summit County more than 30-years ago, and Cuyahoga County 18-months ago.
If Lucas County makes it three, it would be able to pass it own laws. But Lucas County commission president, Pete Gerken (D) says we need to be careful when switching to home-rule. He says, "It's a blessing and a curse. It's like anything else, you give new powers in new ways, should be effective but there's always unintended consequences."
For instance, some laws passed that work for one township may not work for another. Some also worry Toledo residents will have too much control of Lucas County government.
Springfield Township trustee, Andy Glenn, fears Lucas County may be rushing to solving a problem that doesn't exist. "They're trying to force upon us an unproven system which they hope will save us money. I don't trust them," he told 13 ABC.
But a County Executive form of governor is an idea in practice now in Cuyahoga County, and it could come to Lucas County, if Dr. Ruppert can gather enough signatures.
He says, "I think it's a good idea for Lucas County; at lease, I think it's a good idea to let residents take a look at it."
Supporters need 14,000 valid signatures to get the issue on the November ballot.
Right now they have about 6,000.
You can read more about the proposed county reform plan at http://lucascountystudy.org.
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