PRINEVILLE, OR -- Crook County is now operating under a new form of government. Until last week, Crook County was one of the last places in Oregon still governed by a County Court with a full time County Judge and two part time Commissioners.

Interim County Administrator Andy Parks says the move is to three Commissioners with equal weight, "And that process, per this order, you are moving forward with what would be called a Commission-manager form of government, with a manager that is ultimately hired to carry on the administrative functions of the organization." That manager would run daily operations whil Commissioners provide the long-term vision, direction and oversight. 

Commissioner Susan Hermreck led the charge to convert to a Board of Commissioners with all three members working full time. She says she already works more than 40 hours a week, "We need to be realistic, and we need to be honest to the people. We need to have three full time commissioners; we need to get a county manager on board." Hermreck also told Judge Seth Crawford and Commissioner Brian Barney the current system isn’t working with the interim Administrator, "You guys let him run wild and we need to just get a county manager in." She acknowledged abolishing the Judge position didn’t sit well with Judge Seth Crawford, "I know you’re concerned about the County Judge title. Quite frankly, we need three full time commissioners. All that County Judge thing is, is a title."

The shift also allows the Board to decide on who serves as Chair, with that title rotating each year. "I’m 100% with Susan on this," Commissioner Barney said at last week's meeting, "And who better to make the choice on who’s going to be the chair than the governing body themselves?"

Crawford was the lone vote against the change, "I think that people in Crook County enjoy the name ‘judge.’ I enjoy the name ‘judge.’ That’s not the most important thing about this conversation." He believes it gives too much power to a hired manager instead of someone elected by voters. 

Public comment at last week’s meeting was overwhelmingly in support of the change, with one resident telling Commissioners, "Whether or not we like it, growth is happening here. And we’re not managing it; you’re sitting here quibbling over a name change, instead of looking at how are we going to address this growth? How are we going to plan for this growth so it doesn’t change why we all live here right now?"

Until the next election, Crawford will serve as board chair. They are now looking for a permanent county manager and will discuss Commissioner and Chair roles and responsibilities at Wednesday's meeting.