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Subjects › Governance › Classification of Second Class Cities
Updated 11/2011 
 

Classification of Second Class Cities

At least 1,500 population at the time of organization or reorganization, operating under Ch. 35.23 RCW.

MAYOR-COUNCIL

    Chewelah
    Colfax
    Colville
    Davenport
    Palouse
    Port Orchard
    Ritzville
    Tekoa
    Wapato
     
  • People Elect
    Mayor, seven councilmembers (wards optional up to six), treasurer, clerk and attorney (RCW 35.23.021). The clerk, treasurer, and attorney may be made appointive rather than elective by action of council, subject to confirmation by council. All terms are four years except councilmember-at-large who serves two years. Council terms are staggered as are mayor and treasurer terms. Offices of treasurer and clerk may be combined. If the office of treasurer is combined with the office of clerk, the clerk-treasurer is appointive subject to confirmation by council; if the office of clerk is combined with the office of treasurer, the office of treasurer-clerk is elective.
     
  • Mayor Appoints
    Police chief, municipal judge, engineer, street superintendent, and others as provided by statute or ordinance-none are subject to council confirmation except clerk, treasurer, and/or attorney when appointive, board of park commissioners, library trustees, and planning commission.

COUNCIL-MANAGER

Cities under 30,000 population may organize under council-manager form and operate under ch. 35.18 RCW.  Currrently, there are no second class cities operating under the council-manager form of government.

  • People Elect
    City council. In cities of from 2,000 to 30,000 at the initial election, seven councilmembers are elected (wards optional), four serve four-year terms, three serve two-year terms; thereafter, all councilmembers are elected for four-year staggered terms. In cities under 2,000 at the initial election, five councilmembers are elected, three serve four-year terms, two serve two-year terms; thereafter, all councilmembers are elected for four-year staggered terms.
     
  • Council Elects
    Mayor from council membership for two-year term following biennial election.
     
  • Council Appoints
    City manager.
     
  • Mayor Appoints
    When authorized by ordinance, advisory boards and planning commission subject to confirmation by council (optional). (RCW 35.18.060 and 35.63.020)
     
  • Manager Appoints
    Municipal judge subject to confirmation by council (RCW 35.18.060); department heads not subject to confirmation; also, other officers and employees. In cities under civil service, appointment of civil service employees is governed by civil service statutes.

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