Burke notes the undue influence of west Pasco on county decisions. It is the county's population base and three of the five commissioners reside there. Expanding the board, though, won't diminish that influence. It will broaden it. Representatives for east and central Pasco, two-thirds of the county's land mass, will be reduced to two of seven votes.
Public power is diminished as well.
Voters will be able to cast ballots in their own district and in the two at-large races. That's not the way to increase accountability. Expanding the commission is only one issue. Term limits are the other. Burke believes terms limits are a tougher sell and should be considered separately.