Clearlake Council Approves Council-Manager

Following a unanimous city council vote on March 8, the city of Clearlake, Calif. (pop. 15,250), will now operate under the council-manager form of government, replacing the jurisdiction’s existing city administrator government. According to Lake County News.com, "In the current administrator format, major hiring decisions are at the council’s discretion, and the administrator carries out city operations at the council’s direction." The community has been governed under a city administrator government since 1980. The council originally discussed adoption of the council-manager form on February 23 but was conflicted as to whether or not the council should retain authority to hire and fire department heads. 

La Crosse Rejects Creation of City Administrator Position

On April 3, residents in the city of La Crosse, Wis. (pop. 51,320), voted against creation of a city administrator position. Proponents of the measure believed that bringing professional management to city hall could help lower La Crosse’s tax rate, the highest among similar-sized Wisconsin municipalities. The measure failed, however, by a vote of 5,937 (60%) against and 3,934 (40%) in favor of adoption. ICMA worked closely with the proponent citizens’ group Administrator Yes by providing information and guidance during the campaign. The group also received a financial contribution from the ICMA Fund for Professional Management to underwrite some of the costs associated with producing campaign flyers, yards signs, and media advertisements. ICMA members Steve O’Malley, Ed Henschel, and Karl Nollenberger played instrumental roles in advocating professional management at several public informational forums.

Council-Manager No More in Richmond Hill

A six-year run of council-manager government in the city of Richmond Hill, Ga. (pop. 9,281), essentially ended on April 13 when Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed a new charter into law that eliminated the mandatory city manager provision. The council, which approved the charter in early February, retains the power to hire a manager and establish the position’s duties and responsibilities. 

Need More Information?

ICMA provides information, presentations, and other assistance to promote professional management. Contact Michele Frisby, director of communications and public information, at mfrisby@icma.org or 202-962-3658. For information about ICMA’s Fund for Professional Management, send inquiries to fund@icma.org.