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Understanding Austin’s ballot: Prop F
Right now the city has a city manager who controls how the city is run basically. Prop F is asking if voters want to put the mayor in that role.
AUSTIN, Texas - A measure that would dramatically increase the mayor of Austin's power is on the May 1 ballot.
If it passes, Proposition F would change our current 'council-manager' system to a 'strong mayor-council' system. It means exactly what it sounds like. It would eliminate the city manager job and designate the elected mayor as the CEO of the city. Along with this would come veto power over any legislation brought by council, and the power to hire and fire.
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The group ‘Austinites for Progressive Reform’ is supporting this, saying more power will be given to the people if the mayor is elected by them and given a larger role. Opponents say the mayor would have too much power.
Nelson Linder with the local NAACP is a supporter of the measure, saying under the system, council can build viable coalitions and hold the mayor more accountable.
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Group pushes for ‘strong-mayor’ government system in Austin
The reform would eliminate the city manager job, a job that Marc Ott held for years in Austin.
The group 'Austin for All People' criticized Prop F, saying having a single politician with this kind of power opens the door for corruption and they believe a political agenda would contaminate city operations.
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‘Strong-mayor’ versus the current ‘strong-manager,’ or 'council-manager' system is a proposition that can and will affect Austinites for years to come.