Last week, the Palo Alto City Council took the first step toward making the mayor an elected position.
Staff members have been directed to begin working on a proposed ballot measure. In addition to giving voters the final say in who becomes mayor, the measure would extend the mayor’s term to two or four years.
The vote was 5-2, with Pat Burt and Vice Mayor Ed Lauing voting no. Burt has served as mayor three times under the current rotating system and, under the current system, Lauing is likely to be selected as mayor next year. Both argued that the changes seemed unnecessary. Proponents, however, say they would lead to more effective governance.
“I think it’s a really important role, and more democracy is really a good thing,” said current mayor Greer Stone. “I think we should trust the residents who voted us into office to also trust them to have the wise judgment to vote the mayor in.”
Around one-third of California cities elect their mayor. Most cities continue to appoint mayors on a rotating basis.
Read more at Palo Alto Online.