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Voters Pamphlet

Special Election - March 11, 2003

This special election consists of one proposition:
Voter Pamphlet (174 KB Adobe Acrobat file)

City of Redmond Proposition No. 1

Ballot Title: Proposed Change In Plan of Government From Mayor-Council Plan to Council-Manager Plan
Shall the City of Redmond, Washington, change its form of government from the current mayor-council plan authorized by Chapter 35A.12 RCW to the councilmanager plan authorized by Chapter 35A.13 RCW?

_ Yes
_ No

Explanatory Statement
If approved by the voters, this proposition would change the City of Redmond’s form of government from the current Mayor-Council plan to the Council-Manager plan.

Under the current Mayor-Council plan of government, Redmond has a directly elected mayor and a separate seven-member directly elected city council. The mayor is the chief executive officer of the city and is responsible for managing the city’s day-to-day operations, making
recommendations to the city council on city needs, developing budgets, and presiding over council meetings, among other things. The city council is the city’s legislative body.

If the voters approve this proposition, Redmond would reorganize under the Council-Manager plan of government. The separate directly elected mayor position would be eliminated. The seven-member directly elected city council would remain. The current mayor would serve as a temporary eighth councilmember until the end of 2003. The council would choose a chairperson from among its number who would have the title of mayor and who would preside at council meetings and be recognized as the head of the city for ceremonial purposes only. In addition to its current legislative responsibilities, the city council would hire a city manager to serve as the city’s chief executive officer who manages the city’s day-to-day operations. The council would also have the authority to fire the city manager.

A “Yes” vote is a vote in favor of changing to the Council-Manager plan of government. A “No” vote is against the change and favors retaining the existing Mayor-Council plan.

Statement for

Two citizen’s committees were appointed by the Mayor and City Council to recommend the best form of government for Redmond’s future, which is facing increased traffic congestion, growing pains and shrinking tax dollars. Both committees recommended Redmond employ a professional manager. The current Council agreed the matter was of sufficient urgency to be decided by the voters.

With the Council-Manager form, the job of Mayor is divided. One is the political leader retaining the title of Mayor and representing the City and its citizens. The other is an experienced professional managing the business of delivering city services to the people.

The City of Redmond spends $181 million annually…and growing; with nearly 600 employees. With a budget this large, it is wise to invest in a manager who knows how to deliver the best value for the tax dollar, saving their salary many times over. City Managers are educated and experienced in providing public safety, transportation management, parks and other vital city services.

The best future for Redmond requires the best leadership possible. The Council-Manager form of government offers that future with direct voter representation and professional management co-existing together. Vote YES.

Rebuttal of statement against

The citizens of Redmond will still elect the City Council, which will establish City policy as it does today. One council member will be Mayor. The City Manager’s job will be to implement that policy, not to obstruct it for political reasons.

It benefits no one to have a vision that isn’t implemented. A trained professional manager will make our community’s vision a reality, and likely do it for less money than we spend today.

STATEMENT PREPARED BY: JEFF BLAKE, PAT VACHE, CAREN BROWN

Statement against

This election is about what form of government —a city manager or a strong mayor— will best serve the citizens of Redmond and the interests of democracy. This decision goes beyond any particular administration or mayor. A city manager is not an elected official, but is hired by a majority of the city council to carry out their wishes, and will have few, if any ties to the community.

A strong mayor is elected by, represents, and is accountable to all the citizens of the community. Unlike a city manager a mayor provides a direct link between the citizens and the government. As a resident of the area with roots in the community a mayor will better understand our hopes and aspirations. A mayor will be able to formulate a vision based upon shared goals.

The checks and balances of democracy are best served by an elected mayor, not a career bureaucrat who answers only to a city council.

Keep a strong mayor who is accountable to You. Keep democracy vibrant. Vote NO on changing to a city manager form of government.

Rebuttal of statement for

In political campaigns, truth is often an early casualty.

It is not true, as the opposition implies, that either committee recommended what is on this ballot.

There is no evidence whatsoever that a city manager saves money.

A strong mayor employs a team of experienced professional managers. With 90 years of strong mayor leadership, Redmond is recognized regionally and nationally for livability, outstanding services, and sound fiscal management. The best leadership is elected, not hired.

STATEMENT PREPARED BY: LISA TRACY, RICHARD GRUBB, DORIS TOWNSEND

Updated: Feb. 20, 2003.

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