Leadership vacuum
There is a leadership vacuum in Federal Way. The Federal Way City Council is expected to restart the search for a new city manager by hiring a recruiting firm. This comes after a month of whittling down 84 applications to a dozen finalists, according to Mayor Jack Dovey. When firing city manager Neal Beets in May, the council seemed to know what it needs. But does the council know what it wants? If the council is committed to a public process during the city manager selection, then the council must stay on the same page — whatever that means, and whatever that takes. As individuals, each council member in some way has demonstrated a worthy commitment to community improvement. But as a whole, the council needs focused leadership. In the meantime, interim city manager Brian Wilson deserves the public’s support.
Elected mayor initiative
The “strong mayor” movement has resurfaced with signature gatherers in Federal Way. Last year, voters defeated a proposal that would have replaced the city manager with an elected mayor responsible for the daily operations of Federal Way. The Mirror and Federal Way Chamber both recommended keeping the current form of government, in which an elected city council of seven members decides policies for a paid (and trained) city manager to enact. An alternative solution could combine the best of both worlds: An elected mayor with a city manager, similar to Tacoma’s form of government. Until the topic attracts more prominent support, the elected mayor idea will simmer on the backburner instead of lighting a fire inside Federal Way voters.
Municipal court’s future
The city council is exploring the pros and cons of dissolving the Federal Way Municipal Court and instead contracting with King County. Both judges are seeking re-election this year, and the council is concerned about the court’s working environment under the current leadership. Citizens may prefer decisiveness in their elected officials, but in this case, council members would be wise to wait and see what Federal Way voters decide in November.
