Saving Ketchum
It's all about Good Governance
Welcome to the conversation!
Hi, I’m Anne Corrock.
In 2011, I was part of a grassroots group who formed the “Ketchum Committee for Better Government”. Our mission is to bring the form of government that is best suited to deliver good, effective governance to the people of Ketchum, Idaho.
It’s all about Good Governance.
Does Ketchum have the form of government that is best suited to deliver good, effective governance to the people of Ketchum?
Council - Manager Form of Government
vs.
Mayor - Council Government Form of Government (aka “Strong Mayor”)
Currently Ketchum has a Mayor-Council Government, which is often described as a “strong mayor” form of governance. In this form of governance, the elected mayor serves as the CEO of the city, appoints and oversees the department heads, day-to-day affairs and ensures that city ordinances are enforced. The mayor also presides over City Council meetings, votes when needed to break a tie and performs the ceremonial duties. The City Council serves as the legislative body which makes policy and appropriates funds.
In a Council-Manager Form of Government, the city manager is appointed by and works at the pleasure of the City Council. A city manager is a specially trained, experienced nonpartisan manager who runs the day-to-day operations, appoints and oversees all department heads and ensures that the ordinances and policies of the city are complied with and faithfully executed. The mayor presides over city council meetings, performs ceremonial duties and participates, as an equal voting member, with the council in policymaking, appropriating funds, approving department heads and other legislative responsibilities.
At the turn of the 20th century, the council – manager form of government was created to combat corruption and unethical activity. It recognizes the critical role of elected officials as policy makers with the need for a highly qualified individual who is devoted exclusively to the delivery of services to residents.
Council – Manager It is the fastest growing form of government in the U.S.
More than 120 million people live in municipalities with the Council – Manager form of government.
The Council – Manager Form of Government delivers:
· More access to elected officials
Decisions on policy and the future of the community are made by all five (5) elected officials equally, giving the residents more opportunity to become engaged in the process.
· Less Political
The hired manager works at the pleasure of all five (5) elected officials “at will” and is dedicated to the highest ideals of honesty, integrity and excellence in the management and delivery of public service.
· The Power of Special Interests is Diffused
A more balanced approach to community decision making, so that all interests can be expressed and heard, not just those that are well funded.
· Continuity of Community Vision
The Council – Manager form of government provides a smooth transition of administrations, greater city staff retention and delivery of long-term goals.
· Cost Effective
There are no increased staffing costs necessary to adopt the Council – Manager form of government. Many local governments have found that overall costs are reduced under competent management.
Times have changed in Ketchum.
We’ve gone from a town with one blinking light to, well, a lot more! We have outgrown the government we have now. We need a strong, diverse council, elected by the people, to serve as the policymaking, fund appropriating, legislative body and a highly trained, appropriately educated and experienced manager as our chief executive officer. We need to change to the Council - Manager Form of Government!
So how do we get it done?
It takes a vote of the people. There’s a few of us around who did the work to get it on a ballot in 2011. We were a small grassroots group of people who gave up our summer to collect signatures and campaign on behalf of the cause. It was tough. We ruffled some feathers. We were opposed by a well-funded campaign representing special interest groups. While we did not get the 50% votes we needed, we got a strong 43%.
To get on a ballot it takes a resolution of the City Council or an initiative petition by the people. If we start now, we can get it on the ballot in the November 2025 election. Here is a link to the state statute for the Council - Manager Plan, which outlines the process to get it done:
https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/statutesrules/idstat/Title50/T50CH8.pdf
Join me!
It is going to take some hard work to make the changes we need for good governance. Volunteers will be needed to collect signatures, educate voters and take on other responsibilities of a campaign.
Let’s work together to get this done! Call or Text if you are interested.
ANNE CORROCK 208-721-2499
Note: statistics and information gathered from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association (icma.org)