LYNNWOOD — A measure that would change city government from the mayor-council form to a council-city manager form is still scheduled to be on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.
But the Snohomish County elections department asked the city to simplify the wording on the ballot.
On Frid
ay, three City Council members met to discuss the wording at an 8 a.m. meeting, but they lacked a quorum required to be able to make any changes.
The ballot issue is not at risk and is scheduled to be on the November ballot, finance director Lorenzo Hines said at the meeting. There are too many characters in the two voter choices and the Snohomish County auditor asked the city to scale them back. The options could be changed to one word responses such as “yes” or “no.”
“They could even do something a little more lengthy like ‘for city-manager’ or ‘against city-manager,'” said Garth Fell, Snohomish County elections manager. “We did inform the city and we believe we can work with the attorney on (the wording).”
Under a city-manager form of government, a city manager is a hired employee who would oversee daily city operations and report to the council. The council currently elects one of its own as mayor.
Council members were asked to email their preference for the wording changes so the city can forward a suggested change to the Snohomish County auditor.
The measure is backed by People for a Better Lynnwood, a citizen group chaired by Ron Siddell, a former city employee.
The Snohomish County voter’s pamphlet is scheduled to be printed at the end of the month, Fell said.
Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com.
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