Keokuk, IA – Lee County residents might get the chance to weigh in on the future consolidation of county government. Supervisor Joe Kowzan says he wants a question on the November 2006 ballot that asks residents if Lee County should have just one county seat. Lee County is the only county in Iowa with two official seats (Fort Madison and Keokuk). Kowzan says creating one seat might be the best way to help deal with Lee County's budget problems. He says the question would ask voters to give the Board of Supervisors the authority to determine the location of the county seat. He says the exact language is still being worked out, though. Chairman Rick Larkin is also working to have a question placed on the November 2006 ballot. It would ask if the recorder's and treasurer's offices should be combined.
Meanwhile, the Board of Supervisors has accepted the resignation of Economic Development Director Lowell Junkins. Junkins announced two weeks ago that he would step down December 31, 2006. The board says that by accepting the resignation, Junkins' contract will run out at the end of next year.