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HAMILTON- Ravalli County commissioners are leaning toward letting people decide whether to "roll back" the size of the panel to save money. But they want voters to have all the information if such a question makes it to the ballot.

Ravalli voters approved the change to a five commissioner board in 2006, but with the county running into money problems, there's renewed talk of moving back to a three member board.

Commissioners discussed the latest analysis from the Ravalli County Attorney's Office on Monday which said there are three ways the move could be implemented. That could happen with commissioners putting the question to voters, a citizen's group proposing the change, or waiting for the next Ravalli Study Commission to review the idea in 2014.

But the report said transitioning to the new scheme will take a lot of homework and explanation if the county is to avoid the lawsuits that tangled the last change five years ago.

Commissioners generally favored at least exploring the idea further, although they all stipulated voters must have all the information, including costs, in an easily understandable package.

"We should figure it out as one package and offer it to the general public," said Commissioner JR Iman. "Obviously it has to be approved by the voters. But I don't think it was thought out very well last time. In fact it was extremely difficult."

Commissioners are going to ask the county attorney for further information before making a final decision on putting the proposal on the general election ballot this fall. The board wants to at least show its intent before the candidate filing period closes March 12th, with two county commissioner seats up for election this year.