Early results show Snohomish strong-mayor proposal failing

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, November 8, 2016

ELECTION 2016: RESULTS • STORIES • DATA DASHBOARD

SNOHOMISH — Snohomish’s strong-mayor proposition was failing Tuesday and its advisory measure on a potential fireworks ban was passing.

The city of Snohomish transitioned out of a strong-mayor government 45 years ago and adopted a council-manager form.

Proposition 2 asked voters whether the strong-mayor form of government should be restored. Early election results showed 51.6 percent against the change. More ballots are expected to be counted daily through week’s end.

Under Snohomish’s current form of government, voters only elect City Council members. The council then hires a city manager to execute the day-to-day operations.

A strong mayor would be elected by voters. This position has a larger policy-making role and is charged with appointing department heads. The day-to-day operations is typically delegated to a city administrator.

The proposition has been contentious.

Some worried about cronyism and a lack of accountability in a strong-mayor form of government. In such situations, the mayor cannot be fired. Voters would have to wait until the end of the mayor’s term to elect a replacement.

A mayor also would be given veto power. Some view this authority as a safety net. If the City Council issues an unfavorable decision, the mayor has the ability to reverse it.

Those in support of the proposition argued a strong-mayor is less costly. The current city manager is paid $146,067 each year, which supporters say is much higher than what a mayor would be paid.

The committee opposing the proposition argued the opposite. A mayor typically delegates much of the day-to-day operations to a city administrator. They suggested taxpayers would pay for two salaries rather than one.

Voters also participated in an advisory measure about a fireworks ban. Advisory Prop. 1 is nonbinding, meaning a ban will not be enacted if the measure passes. The results will only be used to gauge how people feel about banning fireworks within city limits.

Early election results in Snohomish showed 53.6 in favor of the ban.

Caitlin Tompkins: 425-339-3192; ctompkins@heraldnet.com.