Smyrna times., 1924-12-10
MAY CHANGE KENT LEVY COURT
Change to Make Term of Six Years
With One Elected Every Two Years


One of the matters that NAV be
brought before the coming session of
the General Assembly for considera-
ton IS change in the laws govern
ing the Kent County Levy Court, par
tlcularly that part covering the length
of the term of office for the Commits
SiOners. Under the present law the
term Is two years and the terms of
all the Commissioners expire at the
same time. One of the proposed
changes spoken of is to extend the
term to six years and elect a Com
missioner every two years. This would
make the terms of the Kent County
Commissioners similar to those in
Sussex County
The Kent County Levy Court Com
mlsSiOners who were elected at the
recent general election and who will
assume office in January are all new
men as none of them have served in
the Levy Court under the present
Commissioner form of Government.
One of the new Commissioners, C. B.
Hope, did serve in the Levy Court
under the old ten member form of
Levy Court.
In some quarters it is pointed out
that to ask three new Commissioners
to take up the problems of the coun-
ty without having any previous ex-
perience with the problems of their
office or the program of their body,
Is not entirely fair proposition.
The new Commissioners will as
sumo office at time when the county
not only has an uncompleted road
building program, but also when it is
IN the midst Of refunding their bond
ed Indebtedness. Last year the Lew
Court was able to secure the funds
for the Indebtedness and the usual
current expenses without increasing
the tax rate and it is naturally ex-
pected that the new Commissioners
will do the same.
1t Will require some time for the
new Commissioners to study the af
fairs Of the county and the financial
program. This is where at least one
hold over member who was acquainted
with all these matters would be an
asset to the new members.
Another proposal that has been
spoken Of is to have the terms ex-
tended to four years and elect two
Commissioners at one election and
one at the following election. This
system would always provide at least
one experienced member Of the Levy
Court.
The method of their election is an
other matter that has received some
discussion. Under the present law,
the Commissioners are elected from
three separate Districts in the county.
In Sussex county the Commissioners
are elected from the county at large.
In all probability if the matter is
brought before the next General As
sembly, both methods of election will
be offered for their consideration. 1t
is pointed out that the terms of Of
flee can be changed to either four or
six years and the Commissioners
elected from the same Districts as at
present. This could be carried on
in a matter similar to the method of
electing State Senators at present.
While there has been some discus
sion in favor of changing the law,
there has also been some comment
against it. Those who approve OF
the present law and are opposed to
any change in it point out that under
the present law the voters. have an
opportunity every two years to show
their approval or disapproval of the
activities Of the Levy Court and also
that the present law does away with
the possibility of an incompetent
Commissioner being retained in office
more than two years.-DOver Index.