Today is Election Day – Say "NO" to Proposition 3: Shall a study committee be appointed to consider and possibly recommend a change in Weber County's form of government?

Based on the arguments presented “For” and “Against” Proposition 3 on today’s Weber County Election Ballot, The Utah Bull-Moose Party says “Against” to Proposition 3 (https://voteinfo.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2019/10/VIP_Form-of-Government-Study.pdf).

The “Against” argument states upfront: “Proposition 3 sounds harmless on the surface, but it will set off a chain reaction of potential unintended consequences.  Currently we have a three-member commission that has worked effectively for Weber County for decades.  A small private group which would be appointed to study a potential change could wield tremendous influence and could spend hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars without any financial oversight. Their recommendation could create a shift of authority from “full-time elected officials” to appointed bureaucrats.” Oh, and isn’t this the job of the three-member commission to do themselves?

The Utah-Bull Moose Party is certainly in favor of addressing initiatives that can make our county more efficient and balanced in favor of governance that benefits the people of our community fairly.  However, until those “for” Proposition 3 adequately address the concerns raised by the argument “against”, this Proposition should be delayed.  An appointed “small private group” that will use tax dollars to investigate governance alternatives and recommendations for improvement is an insufficient construct.  A complete business plan to approach this Proposition is needed that addresses the entire design methodology of the appointed commission including, but not limited to, it’s projected budget for expenses and reimbursements, oversight responsibilities, criteria for investigating alternative forms of government, public hearing process, and transparency – as well as alternative methods to pursing the intended Proposition 3 agenda.   

The work is not complete on the design methodology for this Proposition.  The concept of the Proposition’s intent is genuine and appropriate, but the design needs work.

Recommendation: Improve the design methodology of the Proposition to address the arguments “against” and put the Proposition on the next ballot.

Utah Bull-Moose Party is “Against” Proposition 3 as written.