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Council debates creating deputy city administrator role to improve continuity
Summary
The Washington City Council discussed drafting an ordinance to add a deputy city administrator role (a department‑head with backup duties) aimed at continuity and succession; councilmembers asked for clear language on selection, compensation and whether the deputy would be presumptive successor. No vote was taken.
Mayor Stevens opened discussion of a proposed deputy city administrator role, saying the change would be created by ordinance and not necessarily be a new standalone hire. "This would be, along with a department head… a department head slash, deputy city administrator," the mayor said, clarifying the mayor’s intent that the role add responsibilities rather than create an outside position.
City Attorney Walton framed the proposal as a continuity measure: "Mayor Stevens asked me to discuss the idea of possibly creating a deputy city administrator position," he said, explaining that the position could be crafted so the deputy is a "backup" for vacations, lengthy absences or vacancies and that the change would require ordinance language.
Consultants and former managers on the dais supported the concept as professional practice. Jim Arndt, a municipal consultant, told the council that cities of various sizes commonly use deputy or assistant managers to provide institutional memory and a ready successor: "Just having that sounding board… that person to groom and mentor into the role as the next city administrator… it's a win‑win."
Councilmembers pressed for limits and clarity in the ordinance. Several said the deputy should be selected from existing department heads and not be posted as a new hire; others urged the ordinance make clear whether the deputy would automatically step into the city administrator role or simply be the "presumptive" replacement requiring mayoral appointment and council confirmation. "If this position is for continuity and succession planning, pretty spelled out that the deputy does move into the city administrator role…" one councilmember said, while others said they opposed automatic promotion and preferred evaluation‑based transition.
The mayor said she intends to place the ordinance on the Oct. 6 agenda for a possible first reading and said no decision would be made at the Sept. 29 meeting. The city attorney and consultant said the ordinance language can be drafted to reflect the council’s preferences on selection, compensation, reporting and whether the post is merely additional responsibilities for an existing department head.
The council did not vote on the ordinance at the special meeting; the proposal will return to the agenda for additional review and formal drafting.
