The publisher of the Yakima Valley Business Times, Bruce Smith says he plans to present a proposal within the next two weeks asking the Yakima City Council to place on question on a February 2020 ballot asking voters for a city charter change to allow a strong mayor form of government.
Voters next year would then be asked to change the charter and if that's approved another vote for a strong mayor candidate would happen in November and be in place in 2021.
If the council decides against the charter change Smith could start a signature gathering campaign to force the measure on the ballot but he's confident that won't need to happen.
The city is preparing for a possible change by offering an interim city manager position to Alex Meyerhoff from California one of two interim city manager candidates the council interviewed on Tuesday. The council is hiring an interim city manager in anticipation of a possible change in city government.

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