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MSU expert briefed commission on optimal board size, charter powers and manager options
Summary
A representative of the MSU Local Government Center told Butte-Silver Bow’s Study Commission that research favors smaller deliberative bodies (commissions of five to seven) and explained charter versus statutory options and how a city/county manager role might work.
Dan Clark of the Montana State University Local Government Center told the Study Commission on April 21 that research and comparative charters show advantages to smaller commissions and explained the options for adding a professional manager or modifying the chief-executive role in the charter.
Clark said studies commonly find an “optimum” board size of five to seven members for deliberative effectiveness, though he advised the commission to consider local circumstances, including the county’s consolidated government and rural areas.
“Five to seven, they find that there’s less ability to hide,” Clark said. “Decisions can be more streamlined with 5 to 7. And if you get diverse opinions represented on that…
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