Yakima City Council Votes Against Strong Mayor Idea

Proponents of a strong mayor form of government will have to collect signatures to make a change in government after the Yakima City Council on Tuesday voted 4-3 against asking city staff to work with backers of a strong mayor change to create a resolution for the ballot. The proposal was rejected 4-3 with council members Jason White, Mayor Patricia Byers and Holly Cousens voted in favor while Eliana Macias, Kay Funk, Soneya Lund and Brad Hill voted no.
The strong mayor proposal was brought forward by Yakima Valley Business Times Publisher Bruce Smith, former Yakima County Commissioner Mike Leita and former Yakima mayor and pastor Dave Edler. Now it's up to that group or others to gather enough signatures, upwards of 2700 to place the issue on the November ballot.