Smith says they decided against the signature gathering campaign because of the time and work it would take to be successful. He says they'll leave it up to voters.
There is another option that proponents could take says Smith. He says they could also wait for a time when more elected council members are in favor of the idea of a strong mayor form of government.
Bruce Smith, part of the group proposing the change tells the Yakima Herald-Republic they'll soon ask the council to place the charter change question on the November 2020 ballot.
If that's approved then mayoral candidates would then begin campaigns for a strong mayor election in November of 2020. The strong mayor would then be sworn in January of 2021.