Role of the Mayor

As the chief executive and administrative officer of the city, the Mayor is in charge of carrying out the policies set by the Council and seeing that local laws are enforced. The Mayor is ultimately in charge of the operations of the City, including the supervision of all appointed officials and employees. The Mayor is in charge of hiring and firing all appointed officers and employees, subject to civil laws, where applicable. Some appointments must be confirmed by the City Council.

In general, the Mayor also has the authority to:

• enforce contracts
• bring lawsuits, with Council approval
• preside over Council meetings and, in some cases, exercises tie breaking authority with respect to Council votes and has veto authority over ordinances
• call special meetings of the Council
• prepare a proposed budget
• report to the Council on the financial and other affairs and needs of the City
• perform as ceremonial head of the City
• approve or disapprove of all official bonds and contractor bonds

The Mayor serves as the presiding officer at all meetings of the Council. In the absence of the Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tem acts in that capacity. If both the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are absent, the Councilmembers present elect one of their members to serve as presiding officer until the return of the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem.

Mayor Pro Tem

The Mayor Pro Tem is elected to a two year term at the first regular Council meeting in January following a municipal election year. The Mayor conducts the election for the Mayor Pro Tem who is elected by a majority of the full Council.

See Former Mayors for a list of former Tumwater mayors.

Role of City Council

The City Council is the legislative branch of the City of Tumwater and establishes policy and direction for the City through the City Budget, Comprehensive Plan, Strategic Priorities, Capital Facility Plan, and other plans, resolutions, and ordinances.

The general powers and duties of the Council are provided in RCW Chapter 35A.12 and include, in part:

• organize and regulate Council activity
• define the duties of City officials
• fix compensation and working conditions for City employees
• establish and maintain compensation systems
• adopt and enforce ordinances
• acquire, sell, operate, maintain and vacate public ways and real estate
• provide for local social, cultural, recreational, educational, governmental, or corporate services including the operation of various utilities
• powers of eminent domain, taxation, and borrowing
• the granting of franchises and other duties

Council Actions

The following actions may be considered at Council meetings:

Motions

Motions are official Council actions which do not require documentation in writing. Motions are often the Council authorizing action (e.g., authorizing the Mayor to sign an agreement) or to provide direction to staff to prepare an item for future consideration.

Ordinances

Ordinances are legislative acts or local laws. They are the most permanent and binding form of Council action and may be changed or repealed only by a subsequent ordinance. Most ordinances are “codified” into the Tumwater Municipal Code.

Resolutions

Resolutions are adopted to express Council policy or to direct certain types of administrative action. Resolutions have the same effect as a motion, but in a written form. A resolution may be changed by adoption of a subsequent resolution.

Proclamations

Proclamations are issued solely under the Mayor’s authority. They are generally ceremonial and do not create policy or law. Proclamations are not required to be read or presented at a Council meeting. However, Proclamations are typically presented under Special Items. See Proclamation Requests for more information.