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Commissioner floats idea of five-member commission; colleagues raise cost and complexity concerns
Summary
Commissioner Mance proposed opening a public discussion about potentially moving Hampshire County from a three- to five-member commission to spread representation; other commissioners cautioned about increased cost, red tape and unintended governance consequences and noted state precedents.
Commissioner Logan Mance introduced an initial discussion on the possibility of transitioning Hampshire County from a three-member to a five-member county commission. Mance framed the idea as a response to constituent concerns about representation in distant magisterial districts and argued that a five-member body could reduce the concentration of policy power that can occur in a three-member commission. He described two procedural routes: a citizen petition (10% of registered voters) or a commission-sponsored legislative petition to the statehouse, followed by required legislative approval.
Other commissioners raised reservations. Commissioner Englander and Commissioner Brill (referred to variously as Burril/Bril in the transcript) questioned the need and emphasized higher administrative costs to taxpayers, potential dilution of candidate pools if pay were reduced (the commission discussed a phased pay reduction idea where five commissioners would receive three-fifths of current pay each), and the possibility of stalemate or quorum issues in a larger body. They also pointed out that only two West Virginia counties have five commissioners (Berkeley and Jefferson), both with much larger populations.
Commissioners agreed the topic warranted broader public discussion; no formal vote or resolution was taken. Mance said he would seek community meetings and public input before proposing any formal action.
