Mayor Issue Is Headed For Defeat But Vote Totals Show Support For Change In Spokane

Spokane voters may not be ready for a strong mayor, but a good number want to change city government.

Partial returns showed voters defeating the strong mayor initiative that called for eliminating the city manager in favor of a full-time mayor to serve as the city’s top administrator.

The measure actually led in early returns, and was receiving more than 40 percent support late Tuesday.

“It’s an awfully strong showing that people are dissatisfied with the present state of city government,” said attorney Steve Eugster, the measure’s chief proponent.

“We’re very pleased that it’s as close as it is … It’s extremely encouraging, and encouraging enough that we won’t skip a beat” bringing the measure back before voters in the fall of 1997, he said.

City Councilwoman Roberta Greene described the vote as a “wake-up call.”

“We have a mandate,” Greene said. “That mandate says there’s a need for change.”

Greene and Mayor Jack Geraghty on Tuesday said the council plans to have a committee look at changes to the charter, including electing council members by district and reforming civil service.

“We need to look at structure changes to deal with the issues (voters) perceive, including accountability,” Geraghty said.

Eugster hailed his strong mayor plan as the key to attracting real leaders to public office because it would give the council and mayor real power - power he said is lacking in the current city manager system.

Under Spokane’s current government - in place since 1960 - the city manager runs everyday business such as managing the budget, and hiring and firing. The manager takes policy direction from the council.

If Eugster’s plan had passed, the mayor would perform the day-to-day duties of the current city manager or hire someone to do them. The mayor also could appoint department heads and three assistants in each department.

Critics charged the plan could lead to patronage, with the mayor hiring friends and relatives.

Eugster countered that Civil Service laws protect against patronage. Besides, he said, mayors would hire good people so their cities run smoothly.

Despite his disappointment at the defeat, Eugster isn’t giving up.

He plans to bring the measure back before voters in November 1997.

, DataTimes MEMO: These 2 sidebars appeared with the story:

1. WHAT’S NEXT? If the strong mayor measure fails, the City Council must begin the search for a new city manager. Roger Crum left in June, and Bill Pupo currently is serving as acting city manager.

2. LIGHT TURNOUT A hot race for governor and a chance to change city government weren’t enough to draw most voters to the polls Tuesday. County election officials said it appeared only about 35 percent of registered voters cast ballots. That number could rise, depending on how many of 16,000 absentee ballots arrive in the mail. Mail-in ballots must bear a postmark from Tuesday or earlier to be valid.