Miami-Dade County Commissioners gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a measure that would cut the number of community councils from 10 to four.

The item, which passed 8-5, also would eliminate elections for council members. It sets the number of council members, who would be appointed by commissioners rather than elected, at nine per council.

An alternate ordinance, which called for the elimination of all the councils and the creation of a single zoning appeals board, failed.

Discussion of the approved item was minimal.

Commissioner José ``Pepe'' Diaz, who sponsored the ordinance, said commission chairman Dennis Moss told him to review all county boards and look for expenses that can be trimmed and functions that can be consolidated.

``I'm all for the community councils,'' he said. ``I'm just doing what I was told to do to make things more efficient.''

The county created the community councils about 13 years ago to help facilitate access to zoning and land-use discussions and votes. Additionally, the councils made it easier for folks who couldn't make it to downtown Miami for meetings.

The councils, which consist of six elected members and one appointee, also serve as liaisons between residents of unincorporated areas and county commissioners and staff.

Carla Ascencio-Savola, a member of the Kendall council, said she is open to the idea of fewer councils, but is not so sure about eliminating elections.

``I don't think that's good. It gives a bad impression,'' she said, adding that the councils don't really cost the county that much money.

Under the current system of 10 councils, there are 70 seats, 63 of which are elected.

At an Aug. 5 meeting of the Kendall council, Ascencio-Savola told attendees that the county spends about $4,000 a year on running the council non-zoning meetings. She also said application fees cover much of the cost of zoning meetings.

Calls and e-mails to the county seeking confirmation of how much it spends to run the community councils were not returned by deadline Tuesday.

Patricia Davis, who chairs the West Kendall council, said a slate of appointees could infringe on communities' right to self-determination.

``I understand that in times of budget crises it's easier to redesignate some of these services,'' she said. ``But I would've rather seen them cut the big executive salaries downtown.''

Carlos Manrique, who just stepped down as chair of the Westchester Community Council to run for the State House, said he doesn't think four councils are enough.

He also said a few councils rarely meet and don't do much.

For example, the Fisher Island council hasn't had a zoning meeting all year. The South Bay council hasn't approved a set of non-zoning minutes since March.

Diaz said he's asked that the ordinance not come up for a final vote until November, ``so there's more time for discussion. I'm willing to listen to everybody's input.''

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