Voters will be given the opportunity in the November general election to decide whether or not to expand the Saline County Commission from a three person board to a five person board.

Back on July 8th, members of the group Saline County Citizens For Responsible Government turned in their petition to put the issue on the ballot in November. In April, the group had asked Saline County Commissioners to put the issue on the November ballot. Commissioners did not support the idea, and refused. Without commission approval, the group began the petition drive.

The group needed 1,647 valid signatures to have it put on the November ballot. Saline County Clerk Don Merriman told commissioners Tuesday morning that there are enough valid signatures to get the question on the ballot.

The group believes that with an expanded commission conversation among the commissioners will likely be more diverse, resulting in more thought-out decisions. Also, in between meetings two commissioners would be able to talk to one another about county business without violating the open meetings act.

Merriman’s office is still in the process of validating signatures on a petition that was turned in last week. If there are enough signatures on that petition, voters will also decide in November whether or not Salina will stop putting fluoride in water.