Committee recommends mayoral veto power

After a seven-month review process, a citizen committee appointed by the City Council and manager has agreed on a list of reforms meant to address accountability issues and build more trust in city government, said committee chairman Kasey Nye.

After a public review and comment period, the council will take up the recommendations in April and make a decision whether to send some or all of them to the ballot. Changes to the charter — essentially the city’s constitution — must be approved by voters.

Here are the committee’s more significant recommended changes.

Recommendation: Change executive powers by either giving the mayor more voting rights on the council or by giving the mayor veto power. The council could override a veto with a supermajority vote.

What the charter says now: The mayor gets a vote on most things the council votes on. But the mayor doesn’t count toward a quorum required for any meeting to take place, and can’t vote on some things, including firing the city manager.

Why it matters: The committee believes “at a minimum the mayor should have at least as much voting authority as a council member,” Nye said.

This change would create a clear check-and-balance system, with the mayor having the final word on council actions, he said.

Recommendation: Election by ward only.

What the charter says now: During primary elections, the people vote only for candidates for the ward they live in. But then during general elections, people citywide vote on all candidates.

“Tucson’s election system is very unique and it’s been the subject of controversy” and legal challenges, Nye said.

Why it matters: In 16 of the past 22 years, Ward 2 has been represented by a council member who didn’t win the most votes in that ward, Nye said. It has happened in other wards, too, and it affects both Republicans and Democrats, he said.

The reform would lead to a more direct representation for ward constituents, Nye said.

Recommendation: Remove the cap on the secondary property tax limit.

What the charter says now: The property tax is capped at $1.75 per $100 of assessed value.

Why it matters: The current cap, set in 1969, applies to the combined primary property tax, used to pay operating expenses, and secondary, used to pay off voter-approved debt.

But the city is bumping up against the cap and can’t propose any new capital improvement projects, Nye said. Since bonds require voter approval, lifting the cap on secondary taxes won’t automatically increase spending.

The $1.75 per $100 assessed value limit would apply only to the primary property tax, which now stands at 44 cents. Committee members believe state limits on primary tax increases are sufficient to protect taxpayers.

Recommendation: Create a more uniform process for how city department heads are hired and fired.

What the charter says now: “Under the current charter, it’s just wildly confusing,” Nye said. There are different processes and different protections for different department directors.

Why it matters: This may be the most significant change the committee is proposing, Nye said.

This reform would simplify things, resulting in a system that is “much more straightforward, so you know who’s responsible for what and who’s accountable to whom.”

Under this system, Nye said, department heads would be accountable to the city manager, who is accountable to the mayor and council, who are in turn accountable to the voters.

Recommendation: Allow the city to use sales-tax revenue in bonding.

What the charter says now: The city can’t take loans that are backed by future sales-tax revenue.

Why it matters: Committee members believe Tucson could lower its cost for borrowing money.

As a result of the current rule, Nye said, Tucson must use more complicated and expensive financing structures, which costs taxpayers more in interest and fees.