Forms of Government

Introduction/Overview

This page includes a discussion of the basic forms of government adopted by and available to Washington cities. Also included are links to: (1) state laws on forms of government including procedures for changing forms of government; (2) frequently asked questions about forms of government; (3) selected MRSC Library holdings on this subject; and (4) various documents (including sample resolutions calling for elections on the question of changing forms of government) relating to this subject.

Reference Sources

Statutes
MRSC Inquiries
Selected MRSC Library Holdings - Forms of Government [Note: Clicking on one of the links below will take you to a list of documents available on loan through the MRSC library.]

Statistics

Forms of Government and Percentage of Incorporated Population of Washington Cities--1940-2003 - MRSC, August 2003
Washington Cities Incorporating Under, Adopting or Abandoning the Mayor-Council, Council-Manager and Commission Forms of Government from 1970 to 2008 - MRSC, January 2008
Washington Cities by Classification and Form of Government - MRSC, June 2004
Washington cities and towns by form of government (follow the link and click on the "Form of Gov" tab to generate a list of council-manager and mayor-council cities)

Forms of Government

Forms of Government Overview, MRSC, August 2003
Plans of Government Available to Code Cities - excerpt form Code City Handbook, MRSC Report No. 37, December 1996
Comparing/Contrasting the Mayor-Council and Council-Manager Forms of Government - A brief comparison of key characteristics of mayor-council and council-manager forms.
"Trends in Forms of Government in Washington Cities," Byron Katsuyama, Public Policy Consultant, Municipal Research News, MRSC, December 1991
Creating the City Administrator Position : Sample Code Provisions

Reorganizing/Changing Form of Government

Process for Reorganization - excerpt form Code City Handbook, MRSC Report No. 37, December 1996 (Procedure for code city to change to a different authorized form of government)
Bainbridge Island Resolution No. 93-09 - sample resolution, adopted under Ch. 35A.06 RCW, calling for an election on the proposition of whether the city should abandon the mayor-council form of government and reorganize under council-manager form of government, including sample ballot proposition.
Fircrest Resolution No. 408 - sample resolution, adopted under Ch. 35.18 RCW, calling for an election on the proposition of adopting the council-manger plan of government.
Sample Petition for Election to Reorganize From Mayor-Council Form of Government to Council-Manager Form of Government in a Code City
Soap Lake Resolution No. 443 - sample resolution, adopted under Ch. 35.18 RCW, in response to a petition for the adoption of the council-manager plan of government.