With 15 precincts tallied early this morning and more than 20,000 absentee votes also counted, it appeared the Kootenai County government would keep its current structure with three commissioners and several elected department heads.

As of 12:45 a.m., voters had rejected by 67 percent, or 14,977 votes, the ballot initiative proposing a new county-manager form of government.

Only 32 percent, or 7,271 votes, were in favor of adopting the measure.

Besides adding a manager to shoulder the county commissioners' administrative tasks, the initiative also offered to make the treasurer, assessor, clerk and coroner appointed, instead of elected.

"I respect that the people had an opportunity to vote," said Commissioner Dan Green of the voting numbers shortly after midnight. "If that's their decision, I respect their decision and will honor the choices they make."

The county commissioners had pursued the ballot measure to give voters the final word on an alternative form of government. Two study commissions had recommended such changes.

If the measure fails, Green doesn't expect the commissioners will trot out a different restructuring option, he said.

"I have no plans to bring this back any time in the near future," said Green, who had formed organization Streamline Kootenai to advocate for the ballot initiative.

The commissioners do have the authority to add a county manager without the voters' approval.

Green said he wouldn't support doing so without a green light from the voters, however.

"I respect the citizens' choice," he said.

The proposed restructuring had been aimed at freeing the commissioners' time for more policy making, possibly to the point they could reduce their hours to part-time.

The goal of unelecting the four officials was to hire the best candidates.

Green had hoped the changes could result in savings of $1 million a year.

Whatever the final election results, Green said the commissioners will still "always continue to look for efficiencies in our operations."

Commissioner Todd Tondee couldn't be reached after midnight.

Both the Republican and Democratic central committees in Kootenai County had passed resolutions objecting to the alternative form of government.

The assessor and treasurer had also been outspoken in their opposition to the changes.

Some fretted over losing checks and balances, as well as voters' rights, in hiring the four officials. Others said they would have preferred a proposal to increase the number of commissioners.

Commissioner Jai Nelson stated that if the measure fails, she plans to still pursue other ways to improve county operations.

"I will continue to focus on the values and priorities of county residents," Nelson stated on Tuesday night.

Commissioners Tondee and Green's seats had both been up for election this year. Both won in the May Republican primary and neither was opposed in the general election. Green will serve a four-year term for his district 3 seat, and Tondee will serve a two-year term for his District 1 seat.

County Prosecutor Barry McHugh also won the primary and was uncontested in Tuesday's election.