By Brian Kelly
Herald Writer
MARYSVILLE — City council members say they want to keep the status quo.
But the desires of city leaders may take a back seat to what citizens say. On Sept. 17, Marysville voters will decide the fate of a proposal to change the city’s form of government, which would abolish the position of an elected mayor and give control of City Hall to a hired manager.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, the council voted 6-0 to put the proposal to voters. Several council members said they like the current setup, however.
"I support the current form of government," council member Donna Wright said. "I think it works well."
"I don’t see the need to change," council member Mike Leighan said.
In a poll of council members before the vote, five of the six surveyed said they supported the current council-mayor form of government, which gives citizens a chance to vote for Marysville mayor.
Under the other approach, the mayor is picked by the council from its own ranks.
Council member John Soriano said an elected mayor has more clout on regional issues, and the city needs such a person on point as Marysville tries to attract economic development.
Council member Jon Nehring said he would gain more power as a council member if the change were approved by voters, but he’s leaning toward keeping the system as is.
Jeff Seibert was the only council member of those polled to say the proposal has merit.
"I think a change is probably a good thing," he said. "It’s important for the citizens to choose what form of government they want to be under."
The clamor for change has been constant since early this year.
Members of Reform Now, the grass-roots group that wants to change Marysville’s government to a council-manager style, submitted petitions with enough valid signatures in March to put the proposal on the ballot.
The petition drive started amid criticism of Mayor Dave Weiser’s handling of the Tom Grady controversy, and Weiser could pay a price for keeping quiet about a fraud investigation of city council member Grady during the election last year. If the change is approved, Weiser would be forced out as mayor and serve the remainder of his term on the council.
Proponents of the change say it would save the city money and increase accountability at City Hall. Opponents say the council-mayor setup is a more popular form of government across Washington.
The mayor and his fill-in, council member and mayor pro tem Leighan, have vowed to campaign against the ballot measure.
Finding someone to serve as Marysville’s city manager could be costly. The city is paying $17,000 plus expenses to find a new public works director, and the search for a city manager could cost between $25,000 and $30,000.
Other transition costs, such as amending the city code, are also expected.
You can call Herald Writer Brian Kelly at 425-339-3422 or send e-mail to kelly@heraldnet.com.
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