Our Opinion: Empowering elected or appointed officials?

News Tribune editorial

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Who’s in charge?

Is control of Jefferson City’s government gradually being transferred from elected to appointed officials?

And is that what Jefferson City residents want?

Two members of the city’s Charter Commission — which drafted the voter-approved document that serves as a framework for city government — have complained voters were misled in approving a Charter amendment. They contend the amendment shifts power from elected to appointed officials, which violates the spirit of the document.

We endorsed the amendment, but we understand the overriding concern voiced by critics.

Jefferson City’s Charter established a mayor-administrator-council form of government, not a council-manager framework.

The difference between administrator and manager largely is one of power.

Our Charter concentrates power in the elected mayor and council, with an appointed administrator designated to carry out their policies.

Section 3.1 of the Charter reads: “Except as this charter provides otherwise, all powers of the city shall be vested in the council.” And Section 5.1 reads: “The city administrator shall be responsible to the mayor and the council for the administration of all city affairs placed in his charge by or under this charter.”

City Administrator Nathan Nickolaus characterized an administrator as a chief operating officer, in contrast to a manager’s role as chief executive officer.

But, Nickolaus added, “the city administrator here has more power than what most city administrators would have, but less than a city manager.”

Based on that description, the “mission creep” concerns voice by former Charter commissioners are not unfounded.

We do not agree, however, that city voters were misled. We believe the amendment was reasonable and specific, and give voters credit for understanding the issues placed before them.

We do believe, however, city residents — like Charter commissioners — prefer to vest power in their elected mayor and council, rather than appointed officials.

If some of that power has been transfused by the amendment, it is a small and finite amount.

A complete transfer to a city manager form of government would require petitions and an election, something we do not foresee in the near future.

We must remain vigilant, however, to attempts to transfer power from elected to appointed officials.

More like this story

JCLifer 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Why can't this city ever hire a decent city administrator?

tonto_goldberg 11 months, 2 weeks ago

I know all these people. Whatever else you want to say about him, Nathan Nicklaus is pretty competent, and I can't say the same about the whiny former Charter Commission members.

centerguy56 11 months, 2 weeks ago

Tonta is correct! this is a tough job and many want to take shots at NN and city hall. there is room for improvement always and the key is staying connected to the public explaining the policy issues in more detail. be supportive of the positive things the council is dealing with!

Jess thanks for the civics 101! always amazed at the lack of knowledge on the basic gov structure.

JCLifer 11 months, 2 weeks ago

You forgot to include LISTENING to the public and UNDERSTANDING what they want.

centerguy56 11 months, 2 weeks ago

who are THEY?

TickledPink 11 months, 2 weeks ago

THEY = the public. You know, those people who our gov't (local, state, federal - doesn't matter) is supposed to work for.

Jess8 11 months, 2 weeks ago

I just want to point out that this is how a city government with city administrators works--the council and so on report to him and he reports to the mayor. It's a basic established governmental system. Check out other cities with the Administrator system, or if any of your children attended Missouri Boys State or Missouri Girls State--or have taken a local government class, ask them, that's the style that is taught because it is being put into place in most cities with more than 10,000 people across the country.

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