Should the administrative head of Ketchum be elected or appointed? That's the heart of a larger issue being considered by the city of Ketchum and, ultimately perhaps, by its citizens.
Under the current form of government, called a "strong mayor" form, a mayor is the city's administrative officer and is elected by citizens. Under the council-manager form of government, the administrative officer is a hired city manager. Though the current system relies on the position of city manager, the buck stops with the mayor. Under the council-manager system, the mayor's power is diminished in favor of a more powerful city manager.
During a City Council meeting Monday, the mayor and council members heard presentations on the issue from City Attorney Stephanie Bonney and City Administrator Gary Marks, with additional information provided by Jerome City Administrator Ben Marchant.
The idea was initially floated by Mayor Randy Hall about six years ago after constituents asked him about it. While it didn't gain traction at the time, Hall decided to bring it up again when current City Administrator Gary Marks was hired. Marks has experience in both forms of government.
"I'm interested in any idea that could improve the way we do business," Hall said in an interview. "It's premature to draw any conclusions at this point."
Though only three Idaho cities—Lewiston, Twin Falls and McCall—have the council-manager form of government, 49 percent of cities and towns with populations of 2,500 or more operate under that form, according to the International City/County Management Association.
"Idaho law makes it somewhat difficult to implement," Bonney said.
Under the council-manager form of government, the manager prepares a budget for the council's consideration, hires and supervises staff, and carries out the council's policies. The city council continues to be the legislative, or lawmaking, branch.
In that system, the mayor is elected by the city council from among its members. He or she typically presides over council meetings and can vote, and is the official head for ceremonial purposes, but has no administrative functions.
In the current strong mayor form, the mayor is elected by citizens. The mayor has administrative power, but votes only in the event of a tie.
If the council-manager form of government is adopted, the executive branch of Ketchum's government would shift from the mayor to the city manager.
Though Ketchum's form of government is the strong mayor form, Marks said, "If you look functionally ... we are about 80 percent on the spectrum towards the council-manager form."
Jerry Seiffert, Ketchum mayor from 1975-1988, spoke against the change, saying initiatives such as the local-option tax don't come out of council-manager forms of government. Additionally, he said, the strong mayor form of government is "the most democratic."
Jim Jaquet, a longtime Ketchum city administrator, said reasons for making the change should be studied carefully, but, "either form of government can work well."
The change would be complicated to implement, and is also difficult to undo. Under Idaho law, cities that change their form of government must keep it for at least six years, and then must revert to the former system through the same procedure.
"It shouldn't be taken lightly," Marchant said. "You should have a very strong reason for doing so."
The council and mayor agreed that the matter should be further reviewed and some type of public education campaign pursued. They will take the issue up again, likely in June.
"At the end of the day," Hall said, "voters will decide."
Rebecca Meany: rmeany@mtexpress.com
