A mayor has been running Albuquerque for nearly 50 years, but some city councilors want to change that and take most of the mayor’s powers away.That would go against a trend that is occurring nationally. Most cities across the country are actually trying to give their mayors more powers.Albuquerque has had a “strong mayor” form of government since 1974, shortly after voters overwhelmingly passed the city charter. Harry Kinney – was the first elected mayor under the charter. Eight have held the office. A statue on Civic Plaza commemorates his two terms in office.“They’re elected at large from all the citizens, and they are like the chief executive officer of the corporation or, in this case, of the municipality,” said James Brooks of the National League of Cities.Under a resolution sponsored by city councilors Louie Sanchez and Renee Grout, the mayor’s position would be scrapped for one with far less powers.”This system basically dilutes the power of the mayor’s office,” said KOAT political analyst Brian Sanderoff. Under the proposal, the mayor would no longer run the city instead, the council would appoint a city manager and the mayor would sit on the council as a voting member.“The mayor would still be head of city government, but it would be more for public occasions setting agendas for city council meetings,” Sanderoff said.That means a non-elected person would hire the police chief, fire chief and the heads of all of the other departments that run city government. They would also make all of the day-to-day decisions.“City managers are not accountable to voters. City managers are accountable to the city council,” Brooks said.Brooks said city managers generally have more knowledge about how government is run because they have gone to school and made a career of running municipalities. He says, however; most cities are moving in the opposite direction.“They change from council-manager to mayor, council or a strong executive mayor,” he said. “That is my observation of the trend over time.”In the southwest region, El Paso, Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Antonio have the weak mayor form of government — the system some Albuquerque councilors want to adoptDenver, Los Angeles, Houston and San Diego have a strong mayor system like Albuquerque.“It’s about split 50/50 right now,” Brooks said.City councilors in favor of the change to a weak mayor form have pointed to research showing a city manager form of government has 57 percent less likely to have corruption convictions among city leaders.“You can do so much as a strong mayor,” said Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima. “More importantly, you’re also held accountable more to the public.”Miyagishima has been in office for 16 years. He is considered a weak mayor. He believes that his city needs to change to a strong mayor form of government.”If I was a strong form mayor and I was able to put in a certain staff and they really mess up, well, it’s on me,” Miyagishima said. “Whereas right now, it’s on the council.”Voters will have to decide how much power the mayor will have. The city council is expected to vote later this month on whether to send the proposal to voters. If six of the nine members vote in favor of it, it would be on the November city ballot and would take effect at the end of Mayor Tim Keller’s term.
A mayor has been running Albuquerque for nearly 50 years, but some city councilors want to change that and take most of the mayor’s powers away.
That would go against a trend that is occurring nationally. Most cities across the country are actually trying to give their mayors more powers.
Albuquerque has had a “strong mayor” form of government since 1974, shortly after voters overwhelmingly passed the city charter.
Harry Kinney – was the first elected mayor under the charter. Eight have held the office. A statue on Civic Plaza commemorates his two terms in office.
“They’re elected at large from all the citizens, and they are like the chief executive officer of the corporation or, in this case, of the municipality,” said James Brooks of the National League of Cities.
Under a resolution sponsored by city councilors Louie Sanchez and Renee Grout, the mayor’s position would be scrapped for one with far less powers.
“This system basically dilutes the power of the mayor’s office,” said KOAT political analyst Brian Sanderoff.
Under the proposal, the mayor would no longer run the city instead, the council would appoint a city manager and the mayor would sit on the council as a voting member.
“The mayor would still be head of city government, but it would be more for public occasions setting agendas for city council meetings,” Sanderoff said.
That means a non-elected person would hire the police chief, fire chief and the heads of all of the other departments that run city government. They would also make all of the day-to-day decisions.
“City managers are not accountable to voters. City managers are accountable to the city council,” Brooks said.
Brooks said city managers generally have more knowledge about how government is run because they have gone to school and made a career of running municipalities. He says, however; most cities are moving in the opposite direction.
“They change from council-manager to mayor, council or a strong executive mayor,” he said. “That is my observation of the trend over time.”
In the southwest region, El Paso, Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Antonio have the weak mayor form of government — the system some Albuquerque councilors want to adopt
Denver, Los Angeles, Houston and San Diego have a strong mayor system like Albuquerque.
“It’s about split 50/50 right now,” Brooks said.
City councilors in favor of the change to a weak mayor form have pointed to research showing a city manager form of government has 57 percent less likely to have corruption convictions among city leaders.
“You can do so much as a strong mayor,” said Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima. “More importantly, you’re also held accountable more to the public.”
Miyagishima has been in office for 16 years. He is considered a weak mayor. He believes that his city needs to change to a strong mayor form of government.
“If I was a strong form mayor and I was able to put in a certain staff and they really mess up, well, it’s on me,” Miyagishima said. “Whereas right now, it’s on the council.”
Voters will have to decide how much power the mayor will have. The city council is expected to vote later this month on whether to send the proposal to voters. If six of the nine members vote in favor of it, it would be on the November city ballot and would take effect at the end of Mayor Tim Keller’s term.
