Portland voters will be asked on Nov. 2 to endorse a change in their municipal government that would create an elected mayor post. Currently, the city council elects its mayor from among its councilor members. The person holding the post ends up serving as council chairman or chairwoman, and as the ceremonial representative of the city at various functions.
Critics say the salary that the charter commission proposes be attached to the post — $65,000 — is out of line. They also assert that not much would change with the new position; the mayor would still not have hiring and firing powers. Supporters argue that changing the mayor’s term from one year to four years is a substantive change, and that as someone elected citywide, the mayor would have a constituency to support his or her vision.
A former Portland City Manager agreed. “I believe that having an elected mayor along with a professional city manager is by far the best form of government that you can have,” former city manager Tim Honey said at an event supporting a yes vote on the proposal. “This is not a radical departure. This system that is being recommended is being used by over 70 percent of the cities in the country that have a city manager form of government.”
Whether Portlanders choose to make the change or not, larger cities in Maine should consider raising the stature of their mayor. Close-to-home municipal government is something Mainers cherish; they can call councilors before a vote and persuade them to defeat a proposal. But they pay a price for that luxury, as complex but beneficial ideas are often thwarted by a wary citizenry.
Given the stipend they earn, councilors are essentially volunteers. They don’t make enough money — nor should they — to make the position a full-time job. As a result, city staff — the manager, treasurer, public works director, planner and others — can make strong arguments for certain policies, and elected officials are left to trust their recommendations. A full-time mayor can articulate a vision for the community, and that vision essentially goes to referendum when the city votes to select a mayor. Once elected, the mayor can get the staff working to achieve the desired changes.
The salary may be hard to justify. But if a city the size of Bangor raised its stipend to equal the pay of a part-time job, a mayor elected at large may draw candidates such as successful business owners or retirees who are willing to devote the time needed to implement a new agenda.
If Portland adopts the change, other Maine cities would do well to watch how the new position helps the city grow.