To the Editor:
Why has the council manager form of government (Federal Way's current form) become the most popular form--63 percent--of government in the United States in cities of twenty-five thousand or more population?
The reasons are many. Predominantly, I believe, because a city manager is required to have professional education and training, and to follow an established code of ethics, none of which is required for an elected mayor.
In our system, with seven councilmembers forming the legislative body, coming from widely varied backgrounds, they offer, consider and seek out a wide range of points of view.
Included in this process are our city's volunteer commissions (Planning, Human Services, Parks and Recreation, Arts, Diversity, Youth and Civil Service). Research is done as needed by the city manager and staff, with discussion and deliberation taking place at public council committee meetings and public city council meetings.
Citizen comment is welcomed at all of these meetings. Decisions are made publicly with the best interest of the city as a whole in mind. Full council meetings are televised--these meetings are shown repeatedly on Channel 21 and can be streamed from the city's website.
The city manager and his or her staff are then responsible for carrying out the decisions made.
In our city's form of government, we do not experience the politicized operation, which frequently occurs with cities having an elected mayor, as has been witnessed recently in Seattle and in Ruston.
Often such politicizing causes quality personnel to leave, along with tumult and gridlock resulting in delays and unnecessary additional expense.
When a new city manager has been selected by our council (with a large amount of citizen involvement and input), transitions have been smooth, allowing for continued efficient and cost-effective government operations.
Our city manager collaborates with other governmental bodies in our community and region.
Locally, Federal Way, under the direction of the city manager, has joined our city police department with Lakehaven Utility District, South King Fire and Rescue, and the Federal Way School District to form an emergency operations program in the event of any major disaster.
A training program to deal with emergencies is available for individual citizens and neighborhoods.
This is but one example of the effective government operation that carries on everyday for the benefit of all of us.
Having worked closely with our city government since it was formed and with cities having other governmental structures, I believe the council/manager format works most effectively and efficiently for our citizens.
Jeanne Burbidge
Federal Way
