Vocal Point: Government structure of Spokane Valley explained

Over the past several years we have responded to a number of questions about how our city government is organized and who is responsible for the decisions that affect you. My intent is to answer some of these questions.

We experience three kinds of local governments within Spokane County. The Spokane County commissioners are both the administrative (or executive branch) and the legislative authority of the county government.

City governments in the region are organized in accordance with different state statutes than those governing the county. Some cities have a strong mayor/council (like the city of Spokane) and other cities have a council/city manager or “weak mayor” (like the city of Spokane Valley) organization.

The Spokane Valley City Council prefers the term “strong council” rather than weak mayor. Any of you who know our first mayor, Mike DeVleming, and our current mayor, Diana Wilhite will agree they are not “weak” in any sense of the word.

The city of Spokane Valley is organized as a council/ manager or strong council form of government. We believe it is the best choice for a city our size and one that has allowed us to efficiently establish our new city structure.

The strong council form of government’s primary difference with the strong mayor form is the delineation of administrative responsibilities to an appointed administrative officer or city manager. The mayor in this form of government has no more legislative power than any other council member which means the mayor has one vote on all matters of consideration.

The mayor represents the city as the ceremonial head of government. That means the mayor cuts the ribbons, makes the speeches and attends many meetings on behalf of the city council. The mayor is also council chairman and works with council to develop meeting schedules, recommends outside committee assignments and chairs council meetings.

The council elects the mayor from within its members. The council hires and fires the city manager. That is the only administrative task the city council is responsible for. Like the strong mayor form, the city council is prohibited by statute to interfere with the day-to-day operation of city government. This generally means the council cannot task staff with individual projects.

Normally, if a council member wants more information or has a project they want accomplished by the staff, the request is routed through the city manager to make sure staff time is allocated in the most efficient manner. The same rules apply for the council in the strong mayor form.

The city manager hires and fires staff, including the police chief, deputy city manager, and all other department heads, just as the strong mayor. If the city manager is deemed not to be implementing laws and policies legally passed by the city council in the appropriate manner, he or she can be dismissed by the city council. This is a major difference between the strong council and strong mayor form of government.

The strong mayor form of city government requires the mayor be chosen by a general election. The strong mayor is the chief administrative officer of the city government and is responsible for implementing the ordinances and policies passed by the legislative branch. The strong mayor may recommend budgets, policies and laws (or ordinances) to the council for consideration and possible adoption.

The strong mayor runs the day-to-day operations of the city and hires and fires the heads of all the departments such as the police department, fire department, planning department, public works department, etc. The strong mayor usually appoints a professional administrator who is responsible for assisting the mayor in accomplishing the implementation of the laws and policies. The city of Spokane calls the position chief operating officer which it believes more accurately describes the function.

Both the strong mayor and strong council form of government have their advantages and disadvantages. I believe we have chosen the best form for the city of Spokane Valley. Your City Council members have and will continue to strive to be responsive and responsible to the needs our citizens.