1. What is the form of government being proposed?

The form of government being proposed is usually referred to as a "Strong-Mayor" form of government.

2. How do the proposed Mayor’s duties compare to the duties of the current City Manger?

 

A. The duties of the full-time Mayor will basically be those that were previously done by the City Manager. The Mayor will serve as the chief executive officer and administrator of the City.

B. The Mayor will report to Council all information previously provided by the City Manager, including, but not limited to: financial reports, budgets, appropriation message, and capital program.

C. The Mayor will appoint department heads which will be confirmed by Council as outlined in Charter section 5.01

D. The Mayor will have the same spending limitations provided for the City Manager in Charter section 7.09

3. So, what’s the difference between having a City Manager and a Mayor?

A City Manager is chosen by 7 Council people. The voters of the City elect a Mayor and must re-elect him every four years. A City Manger is the employee of the Council and works directly for them. A Mayor is the employee of all residents and is "directly" responsible to the people of the City. An elected Mayor provides a ‘check and balance’ against Council that is missing when the City is run by an employee of Council.

4. How will City Council’s powers and responsibilities change?

A. City Council will no longer hire a City Manager. Council must currently supervise the activities of a City manager who is their employee. This makes Council indirectly responsible for the day to day administration of City business and this responsibility will not exist with a Mayor who is not their employee.

B. Council’s legislative responsibilities and powers remain the same. The Mayor may veto an ordinance within 10 days, but Council may override the Mayor’s veto with five votes

C. Council still must confirm the appointment of department heads, and appointments to boards and commissions.

4. Will the Mayor have veto power over Council?

The Mayor may veto an ordinance within ten days of its passage. However, an affirmative vote of 5 members of Council can override the Mayor’s veto. The Mayor cannot veto an ordinance proposing a Charter amendment or calling for an election.

5. Does the Mayor have the power to hire/fire department heads or employees?

Yes, the Mayor has the same powers currently held by the City Manager with regards to the appointment and removal of officers and employees. Council still must confirm the appointment of all department heads, and members of any board or commission.

Also, under the proposed changes, unclassified civil service employees who are suspended, demoted or discharged will have the option of appealing to Council. Council may then uphold the Mayor’s judgment, or override it with an affirmative vote of 5 Council members. (Classified civil service employees will still follow civil service procedures)

6. Can the Mayor fire people and replace them with his friends, family or campaign supporters?

Again, the Mayor has the same powers as the City Manager currently has in regards to the appointment and removal of employees and department heads. But, since the Council must confirm the appointments of the Mayor, he cannot hire anyone into a department head position without the confirmation of Council. Again, under the proposed changes, all unclassified civil service employees who are suspended, demoted or discharged will have the option of appealing to Council. Council may then uphold the Mayor’s judgment, or override it with an affirmative vote of 5 Council members

7. Who takes over if the Mayor is temporarily absent or if he is unable to complete his term?

The Mayor shall designate an official within the City to serve in his place in the event of a temporary absence. Council must confirm this choice, just as they currently must confirm the City Manager’s choice of a Temporary City Manager.

In the event of the Mayor’s death, resignation or removal, this individual will serve as Mayor until the remainder of the term can be filled at the next regularly scheduled election.

8. What are the qualifications to run for Mayor?

The qualifications to run for the position of Mayor have not changed. Candidates must be an elector and resident of the City. Each voter must decide what attributes, experience and education are important to them as they evaluate the candidates in each mayoral election.

9. How long is the Mayor’s term? Are there term limits?

The Mayor’s term has not changed; it will still be four years. There will be no term limit, as there is not, at this time, a term limit for Mayor or Council positions.

10. Can the Mayor be recalled?

Yes.

11. How much will the full-time Mayor be paid?

It will be up to Council to determine the wage and benefits for the position of a full-time Mayor.

12. Will the Mayor still run Mayor’s court?

No, a magistrate will run Mayor’s court to avoid any conflict since the Mayor will also be involved with the City budgets. The cost of a magistrate may be offset by an increase in court costs. This is not a full-time position, the magistrate will be needed approximately ten hours a month.

13. Will Mike Hanes automatically be the full-time Mayor?

No. When voters elected Mayor Hanes in November of 2001, they chose him for the position of a ceremonial mayor and this position will no longer exist. Mayor Hanes agrees there must be a new election for the position of full-time Mayor. The candidate receiving the most votes at that time will be the full-time mayor. The first term of mayor is shorter because the election will be held in May 2002, not November 2001.