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Change of form of government could be in store for Ruston

By John Larson

Among the many hot issues in Ruston is its form of government, and whether or not it should change.

In Ruston, the mayor is the chief executive while the council is the legislative branch of the government. Known as a council/mayor form of government, or commonly as a strong mayor system, this is similar to how a state government operates in regard to the governor in relation to the legislature. In Pierce County government, the county executive is the equivalent of a strong mayor, with the county council as the legislative branch. Ruston Mayor Michael Transue is not a member of the town council.

Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma is one of nine members of Tacoma City Council. City Manager Eric Anderson is the chief executive of the city. The city manager is hired and fired by a majority vote of the council.

Councilmember Bradley Huson is interested in exploring a change, and has placed the matter on the agenda of several recent council meetings.

During the March 24 study session he discussed the two methods Ruston could utilize to initiate a change. One would be for the council to pass a resolution proposing a change of government. The other would be a petition, which would have to be signed by Ruston residents who are registered voters. To be valid, the petition would need to be signed by at least 10 percent of voters from the last general municipal election.

If either method is used, the matter would have to go before a vote of the people during a general election.

Huson said he has discussed the cost and timing of such an election with the county auditor. Huson said to be placed on the ballot for the next general election action must be taken by Aug. 12.

In both 2002 and 2003, a citizen group in Tacoma attempted to change the city’s form of government. There were signature gathering efforts, but both times a variety of issues kept the matter from ever being presented to voters.

Baarsma, who took office as mayor in January 2002, did not participate in the efforts, although he has long been on the record as favoring a strong mayor form of government for the city.

Asked about the situation in Ruston this week, he noted that a strong mayor system is used in the majority of the smaller towns in Washington. Of the three largest cities in the state – Spokane, Seattle and Tacoma – only Tacoma has a council/manager format.

Some cities keep a strong mayor, but hire a city administrator to handle the day-to-day operations of city government. Baarsma noted Black Diamond operates in such a manner.

Baarsma suggested Ruston might benefit if it switched from its current system.

“If it can remain viable, it could hire a town administrator or city manager on a full-time basis and have a mayor for a ceremonial head,” he remarked.

Editor’s Note: This series of articles on Ruston will continue in the April 3 issue.

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