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The City of Camas is asking voters to decide whether or not to change the City's current form of Government from a Mayor-Council form of government to a Council-Manager form of government. This issue will be placed on the February 9, 2027 Special Election ballot.
Washington law allows several forms of city government. However, the two options that Camas residents will vote on are: Mayor-Council with City Administrator (Camas today) or Council-Manager with Elected Mayor (the alternative).
In the Mayor-Council with a City Administrator form, voters elect the Mayor and the City Council. The Mayor acts in the role of CEO. The Mayor will hire a City Administrator to serve as the Chief of Staff who handles day-to-day operations and is the only one who can remove them.
In the Council-Manager with an Elected Mayor form, voters elect the City Council and the Mayor. A City Manager runs the city day-to-day. The Council hires and manages the City Manager and has the authority to remove the individual by a majority vote. The Mayor serves in a more ceremonial role.
Below is information on the forms being discussed from the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC), a nonprofit organization that helps local governments across Washington State better serve their communities by providing legal and policy guidance on any topic. For a full description of each form of government, plus links and resources, visit: https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/government-organization/cities/city-forms-of-government
MRSC Comparison of Mayor-Council vs. Council-Manager
Characteristics
Mayor-Council
Council-Manager
Legislative authority
Council
Council; ceremonial mayor is part of council
Executive authority
Elected mayor
Appointed manager
Selection of CEO
Popularly elected
Appointed by council on basis of experience
CEO must reside in city?
Yes
No, unless required by local policy
Removal of CEO
Recall election
Removed by majority vote of the council
Tenure of executive
4-year term
Indefinite
Tenure of council
4-year term
4-year term
Appointment of department heads
Mayor (with council confirmation if provided)
Manager (no council confirmation)
Removal of department heads
Mayor
Manager
Veto
Mayor (except for towns)
Manager has no veto
Policy development
Mayor can propose
Manager can recommend
Policy implementation
Mayor
Manager
Underlying principles
Separation of powers; Political leadership; Strong central executive
Separation of politics from administration; Promotes economy and efficiency through professional management; Strong central executive; Follows business model
What would not change if this vote were to pass?
It is important to emphasize that the City's classification is not changing. Camas will remain a non-charter code city under Washington law (Title 35A Revised Code of Washington (RCW)) regardless of whether voters ever approve a different form of government. The ballot item is only about how the City's executive and administrative responsibilities are organized, not about changing the City's powers, services or authority.
Residents would continue to elect their City Council, receive city services and have access to their elected officials. This ballot item focuses solely on the structure used to administer city government.
For frequently asked questions, click on the FAQ section to the right.
The City of Camas is asking voters to decide whether or not to change the City's current form of Government from a Mayor-Council form of government to a Council-Manager form of government. This issue will be placed on the February 9, 2027 Special Election ballot.
Washington law allows several forms of city government. However, the two options that Camas residents will vote on are: Mayor-Council with City Administrator (Camas today) or Council-Manager with Elected Mayor (the alternative).
In the Mayor-Council with a City Administrator form, voters elect the Mayor and the City Council. The Mayor acts in the role of CEO. The Mayor will hire a City Administrator to serve as the Chief of Staff who handles day-to-day operations and is the only one who can remove them.
In the Council-Manager with an Elected Mayor form, voters elect the City Council and the Mayor. A City Manager runs the city day-to-day. The Council hires and manages the City Manager and has the authority to remove the individual by a majority vote. The Mayor serves in a more ceremonial role.
Below is information on the forms being discussed from the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC), a nonprofit organization that helps local governments across Washington State better serve their communities by providing legal and policy guidance on any topic. For a full description of each form of government, plus links and resources, visit: https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/government-organization/cities/city-forms-of-government
MRSC Comparison of Mayor-Council vs. Council-Manager
Characteristics
Mayor-Council
Council-Manager
Legislative authority
Council
Council; ceremonial mayor is part of council
Executive authority
Elected mayor
Appointed manager
Selection of CEO
Popularly elected
Appointed by council on basis of experience
CEO must reside in city?
Yes
No, unless required by local policy
Removal of CEO
Recall election
Removed by majority vote of the council
Tenure of executive
4-year term
Indefinite
Tenure of council
4-year term
4-year term
Appointment of department heads
Mayor (with council confirmation if provided)
Manager (no council confirmation)
Removal of department heads
Mayor
Manager
Veto
Mayor (except for towns)
Manager has no veto
Policy development
Mayor can propose
Manager can recommend
Policy implementation
Mayor
Manager
Underlying principles
Separation of powers; Political leadership; Strong central executive
Separation of politics from administration; Promotes economy and efficiency through professional management; Strong central executive; Follows business model
What would not change if this vote were to pass?
It is important to emphasize that the City's classification is not changing. Camas will remain a non-charter code city under Washington law (Title 35A Revised Code of Washington (RCW)) regardless of whether voters ever approve a different form of government. The ballot item is only about how the City's executive and administrative responsibilities are organized, not about changing the City's powers, services or authority.
Residents would continue to elect their City Council, receive city services and have access to their elected officials. This ballot item focuses solely on the structure used to administer city government.
For frequently asked questions, click on the FAQ section to the right.
