VALLEY CITY, N.D. - Voters here decided Tuesday to keep the position of city administrator. In unofficial results, the city auditor's office reported that 888 voters, or 46 percent, voted "yes" to eliminating the post, while 1,050, or 54 percent, voted "no" to maintain the job as part of city government.
The measure needed a simple majority, 50 percent plus one vote, to pass.
"I think Valley City got some good news on the vote tonight," City Administrator Jon Cameron said.
"To me, that's pretty overwhelming. I think the citizens of Valley City have spoken. The citizens of Valley City have said enough is enough of this negativity. The citizens of Valley City have said they want a professionally managed government. I'm very pleased. I'm pleased not for me, I'm pleased for the city of Valley City," Cameron said.
"This is the second time this group has tried this in three years, and maybe at some point in time, maybe they'll get the message that professional government is what the citizens of Valley City want and deserve," he said.
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Cameron said he's also proud of those who called for a "no" vote against the issue.
"They maintained nothing but the high road, they were transparent, they gave nothing but the facts," and avoided personal attacks, Cameron said.
Mayor Bob Werkhoven said the vote was good news for the town.
"We won! I'm doing pretty good now. It's been a long four, five months," Werkhoven said. "There was a good turnout and we prevailed. And now it's time to start the healing process and move forward. We've got a lot of work to do.
"This has been kind of a distraction. We've got water problems. We need to move forward. I feel real good about it."
"Yes vote" supporters were disappointed, but determined.
Brian Mindt, co-owner of Iron Stallion Cycles and treasurer for the Committee for Community Involvement, said the issue can be brought to a vote again in two years. There are tentative plans to do so, he said.
"We'll play it by ear, see how it goes," Mindt said, adding that the result was not a loss, given the heavy voter turnout.
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"I call that a huge success. I'm glad to see the number of voters coming out. I thank each and every one of them ... for getting out and getting involved and speaking their mind and getting involved in their own community," Mindt said.
Voting was heavy throughout the day at City Hall, the only polling site for this election, City Auditor Avis Richter said.
Normally, the city of 6,600 has about 1,400 votes in an election. By the end of the day, about 2,000 had voted.
Cameron took on the job in May 2008. He is paid about $75,000 a year, not including benefits.
Cameron has been criticized by some residents for his handling of a dispute with former Police Chief Dean Ross that escalated this spring and summer, until a recent settlement resulted in Ross' retirement.
Citizens who sought to end the city administrator post said the salary would be better spent elsewhere.
"Vote Yes" supporter LeRoy Neubauer said he and others also believe city administrators screen the commission from voters, and make that body less sensitive to citizens' concerns.
But, Werkhoven is positive the city administrator salary is worthwhile.
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"As salaries go for that position, we're getting a bargain," he said, citing Cameron's work through the city's flood fights, finding money to pay for the costs of those battles, and preparing for the future.
Werkhoven said this vote will also indicate voter feeling for a recall election for his job, and that of City Commissioner Ken Evenson, expected to be held yet this year.
"I think it has some other ramifications. Hopefully, we'll find out from this vote just where the people are standing," he said.
The article is from The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, like the Herald a Forum Communications Co. newspaper.
