Cape Coral City Council will discuss Wednesday a proposed change to the city’s government structure: Whether the city should propose a move from a council-manager form of government to a strong mayor-council form.

Council previously asked to see language that would provide for the transition from a hired manager who oversees city operations and an elected council which makes policy decisions and holds the manager it appoints accountable, to an elected mayor who oversees operations, and an elected council.

The change, should council decide to pursue it, would require an amendment to the city’s charter and so voter approval.

Councilmember Keith Long said during last week’s meeting that he looks forward to more information regarding the strong mayor form of government.

“It’s not necessarily when we discuss it, what we want, or what we think. The decision is whether the citizens deserve to decide for themselves. In that context, it’s not about what I feel personally about the strong mayor,” Long said.

Early last year council established a Charter Review Commission which then met from April 25, through Oct. 9. On Dec. 10, council gave directions to draft charter provisions, and the city attorney’s office began researching a model charter of a strong mayor-council form of government.

The presentation to be heard Wednesday identifies both forms of government – today’s council-manager form and mayor-council form.

The city existing form of government, according to the presentation, is the most common form where the manager is the chief executive. The manager supervises departments, appoints and removes directors, prepares the city budget, and makes recommendations to the council.

The mayor is a member of council, chairs the meetings and signs documents, and is the ceremonial head of the city.

The strong mayor form of government has a distinct division of powers between the council and mayor. The mayor is the chief executive, while the council is the legislative body. The office of the mayor, according to the presentation, has substantial influence in the policy-making process and control over administration.

In this capacity, the mayor also would hold budgetary and appointing powers, ability to veto legislation with an emphasis on political leadership.

The presentation lists the top 11 strong-mayor cities by population – Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Hialeah, West Palm Beach, Plantation, Apopka, Pensacola, Hialeah Gardens and Sweetwater.

The presentation concludes with the requirements for accomplishing the transition to a strong mayor form of government – council responsibilities, mayor responsibilities, and organizational structure.

Councilmember Joe Kilraine said during last week’s meeting that he was in support of keeping things the way they are.

“I think it is important that we maintain continuity and we have a great professional staff,” he said, adding that with a large organization moving things forward, they have the best system to do that right now.

Councilmember Bill Steinke said he thought a strong mayor form of government is a good for the right city and municipality.

“I am not in favor of it for ours,” he said adding that council sees the magnitude of the city manager every day. “Should that position ever be open, I want eight people to look at the resume for the number of people that are highly trained, educated and have a good track record and experience in the role like that rather than a simple appointment from a new elected official.”

Councilmember Laurie Lehmann said when they took a consensus with the council last time, she had not done her research.

“When it comes up in the COW on the 11th, I am going to change my vote. I am in favor of a city manager form of government, not a strong mayor form of government,” she said.

The workshop will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, in City Council chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. The meeting is open to the public.

To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com