While I understand the race directors wanting to save money, the re-certification after 10 years is a confirmation to runners (and race directors) that, truly, nothing on the course has changed.
A popular race had to be re-certified when the city replaced curbing in one intersection on the 10k course. Most people wouldn't even notice, I think, but the measurer happened to drive by the intersection regularly. Had he not done that, a remeasurement by another measurer, would have shown the course to be short. This would have triggered a complete re-measure, which, in my book, is a very good reason to have courses expire.
While many race directors insist their course has not changed, I have measured a few in my 6 years of measuring, that are not what the original map showed. Yes, most courses for established races stay unchanged. But, I see no reason to not verify every 10 years. IAAF requires re-measurement every 5 years. Our 10-year policy is reasonable, I believe.
One measurement, by a measurer with at least 20 courses under their belt, to me would be a good requirement. If the measurement was at least as long as the stated distance, and the landmarks are as noted on the map, it is good, and the original map can be re-used. VC would have to download the map from the USATF site if the original measurer didn't submit the re-measure, and change the expiration info, but that is not hard to do.