Ruston: 4th-Class Town, or Noncharter Code City?

Image from Ruston Town Attorney presentation on becoming a noncharter code city.

On Monday the Ruston Town Council voted to change the town to a city. Until Monday, Ruston was classified as a fourth class town, but a unanimous vote by the three (out of five total) Ruston council members present changed the town to a “noncharter code city,” without taking it to the voters.

WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Ruston believes that it would serve the best interest and general welfare of the citizens of Ruston to adopt the classification of noncharter code city under Title 35A RCW because of the broader powers available to such cities under state statutes; …

Although the issue was passed by council without going to Ruston voters, it can be overridden if enough Ruston voters sign a petition within 90 days. In 2008 they turned down a similar move, paired with a shift to a council-manager format of government. This time around there is no change in form of government. We’ll admit to not knowing much about the difference between a town and a noncharter code city, but here are a few differences we found listed in the town attorney’s letter on the topic:

 
• Option to adopt of the powers of initiative and referendum.

 
• Only ten percent of the votes cast at the last state general election are required
  for a petition to annex territory (as opposed to 20%).

 
• Parks board may have whatever number of members the city chooses.

 
• Option to allow deferral of collection of special assessments on property – such as L.I.D. assessments – from economically disadvantaged persons.

 
• More flexible procedural requirements and have a wider range of choices in determining the form planning is to take within their city.

 
• A code city may establish a “planning agency” which may be a planning department, a person, staff or body, rather than a planning commission.

 
• Some procedural requirements, such as holding public hearings on comprehensive zoning plans before both the planning agency and the city council, have been modified or eliminated.

 
• According to an article from the TNT the change would also give the mayor veto power and permit the council to require confirmation of mayoral appointments, provided no qualifications for the office have been established.

The memo and presentation from the town attorney identify these “benefits” of switching from town to city, but don’t seem to present much of the other side. We can’t say whether this was discussed, not having been present at the meeting, but if an issue like this was passed in Tacoma without a vote of the people, and with nearly half the council absent, you can bet we’d be hearing a question or two raised …

Feel the power!

Read a bit more from Ruston Home.