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City attorney outlines mayor's tie-breaking authority under state law
Summary
City attorney reviewed RCW provisions on June 4 and told the Lake Forest Park council when the mayor may vote to break ties; councilmembers suggested updating the governance manual to align with state code.
City Attorney Miss Pratt briefed the Lake Forest Park City Council on Wednesday about the mayor's authority to cast a tie-breaking vote under state law and how that authority interacts with the council's governance manual.
"The gov manual does say in the event of a tie, the motion is lost," Miss Pratt told the council, but she added that RCW 36A.12.100 grants the mayor tie-breaking authority in most instances except for certain actions such as ordinances, franchises and payments of money. Pratt reviewed the statute and said that appointments to fill council vacancies and the selection of a vice chair are among items where, under the RCW, the mayor may break a tie.
Nut graf: The legal overview was presented to clarify procedure for votes when the council has an even number of seated members; council members noted the guidance matters while the body is completing a temporary vacancy and suggested updating the internal governance manual to avoid future confusion.
Council members asked whether the governance manual should be revised to align more closely with state law. Pratt said that aligning the manual with the RCW would be appropriate and that larger changes could be addressed in the manual's next review.
Ending: Council took no immediate policy action based on the memo; members moved on to the vice-chair nomination after the briefing. The briefing was intended to inform future votes while the council has six seated members.
