Why we’re voting NO

 

Dear Neighbors,

 

As current and former City Councilors, we're familiar with how the City's legal services work and have concerns about this measure creating an expensive and inefficient working model for our City Attorney.  A split City Council has already pushed this measure as a special election and at a significant cost to taxpayers. This was not a unanimous decision by the Council: Mayor Axelrod and Councilor Walters were opposed.

 

While the City Attorney does currently report to the City Council, this measure would make all attorneys under the direction of the City Council, bypassing the City Manager. Historically, West Linn had a staff attorney that worked at the direction of the City Manager and could advise on multiple department issues as well as HR issues and Union negotiations for city employees. We believe the City Attorney in this capacity should remain under the direction of the City Manager. We are concerned this measure is ambiguous and could create unnecessary conflicts if passed.  

 

We urge a NO vote on 3-552.

 

It’s one thing to pay for a City Attorney, but it’s quite another to pay too much for a City Attorney! The council has one business meeting each month where decisions are made. Making every legal position of the City Attorney subject to approval of the City Council would add an unreasonable amount of time to their limited schedule.

 

With City Council elections every two years, this governing body can change dramatically. As a result, their goals can change. If all Attorneys are under the direction of the City Council, we can see how gaps or delays in management can affect smooth running city operations.

 

Please join us in voting NO on Measure 3-552!