As required by state law, Ketchum Mayor Randy Hall will sign a proclamation setting a vote on the city's form of government during November's election. What's left for the City Council to determine is how that issue and related elections will appear to voters.
Besides deciding whether to keep the current system of government or switch to a council-manager form, voters will choose five council members from names on the ballot. If the council-manager form of government is approved, the top five vote-getters will take their places on the council. The top three will serve four-year terms; the next two will serve two-year terms.
However, under the current system, only two council seats are up for election this November.
The council discussed Monday how to approach the election without creating voter confusion.
Voters could be presented with ballots to elect one set of council members to serve under the current system and to elect another slate of candidates to serve under the proposed system if it is approved.
Even if voters don't want a new system, they can vote for candidates to serve under that form of government in the event that it is approved.
Another option is to not hold a vote on the two seats up for election, now held by sitting members Larry Helzel and Curtis Kemp, and wait until the May election date. Proceeding in that manner, said City Attorney Stephanie Bonney, creates the least amount of confusion for voters.
"There is no clean way to go forward with this," she said.
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One complicating factor is the way the state statute is written. It says that if the new form of government is not approved, the associated votes for council members are null and void.
Regardless of how the council proceeds, she said, the election could be open to legal challenge, either from a disgruntled candidate or any voter.
"There's a potential for a clouded election no matter (what)," Bonney said.
Ketchum resident Bill White expressed doubt about the election.
"There is no way on God's earth to make it a fair election," he said.
Council member Baird Gourlay agreed.
"This is ridiculous," he said. "This is not better government. Not even close."
Ketchum resident Phyllis Shafran said the city is overcomplicating matters. The issue isn't confusing, she said, if the city just keeps it simple.
"If it's really kept at kindergarten level, most people will understand," she said.
The city attorney will draft a resolution for the council to vote on at its next meeting, Sept. 6.
Election Day is Tuesday Nov. 8.
Rebecca Meany: rmeany@mtexpress.com
Phyllis Shafran
