strong mayor

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.

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.

The council meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday February 4 at Yakima City Hall.

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.

The Yakima City Council will hold a regular meeting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, November 5, in Council Chambers at Yakima City Hall, 129 North 2nd Street.

The next council meeting is set for November 5.

The council is hiring an interim city manager in anticipation of a possible change in city government.

The strong mayor issue is likely to be back on the ballot in the near future...despite the fact that the city is now in the process of hiring a new manager...Bruce Smith with the group citizens for safe streets and lower taxes says they're meeting again...

Yakima city voters have rejected the strong mayor issue on the February the ballot - the county auditors office says voters gave a 52% percent thumbs down.