Revised February 1, 2024
The Mayor
A reader may think this is old news, but it has a lasting effect on how votes count. At the February 8, 2014 City Council Retreat (p. 17), it was proposed that the Mayor’s two-year term be changed to four. The reasoning was that a Mayor barely learns the ropes in two years and then must run for re-election. Whereas, extending it to four years softens the learning curve.
This item first appeared on the regular City Council Agenda on April 28, 2014 (p. 9) A draft ordinance (#512) was included for passage. Without resident comment, or any supporting data, the Council voted unanimously to approve the decision. During the discussion is was pointed out that resident input was not required.
The Mayor’s term is now four years. Whether required to hold a public informational meeting, or not, this change needed voter feedback. The decision directly affects the residents and their voting authority. The voters were not notified to participate in this decision.
“In addition, prior to the change, voters could effectively change the majority of council members every 2 years. This was in essence a built-in circuit breaker for an ineffective or problematic council. I speak from experience on this. It happened the year I was elected and again two years later.” – former City Council member
The Park and Planning Commissions
At the February 8, 2014 Council retreat, it was also agreed to reduce the size of Commissions from seven to five. This was loosely reasoned as necessary due to difficulty in filling vacancies. The commissions are advisory bodies. They study issues and make recommendations to the council. Reducing the size from seven to five decreases the diversity of thought, and makes “group think” more likely. Both Planning and Park Commissions now have five members.
How do these changes affect the residents?
Prior to the change in the mayor’s term
Every two years voters chose three candidates: Two council positions and the mayor.
Thus, every four years each voter had SIX votes for the city council.
After the change in the mayor’s term:
The first two-year cycle, voters vote only for two council positions (two votes).
The second two-year cycle, voters choose two council positions and the mayor (three votes).
After the change, voters have only get five votes for our city representatives every four-year cycle.
Residents lost one vote every four years.
