Study of urban counties planned

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Changes could be coming in the operation of the state's two largest counties. <br/><br/>House Speaker Todd Hiett is appointing a committee to look at the operation of Oklahoma

Thursday, February 17th 2005, 10:54 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Changes could be coming in the operation of the state's two largest counties.

House Speaker Todd Hiett is appointing a committee to look at the operation of Oklahoma and Tulsa counties. The action comes after months of infighting among Oklahoma County officials involving procedures, control of the budget, alleged snooping and other matters.

State Representative Bill Case of Midwest City is chairman of the seven-member committee that includes lawmakers from Oklahoma and Tulsa counties.

Among the ideas the task force is expected to study are budget management, merging city and county services, and elimination of waste and duplication.

A lobbyist for the County Government Legislative Council questions whether a study is necessary. Dave Herbert says Oklahoma County officials have had problems. But he says the Legislature has also had problems and no one is proposing to study the operation of the Legislature.