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The Mayor

Current Mayor: Nancy Backus
Term: First Term Jan 1, 2014-Dec 31,2017 (Re-Elected) Current Term: Jan 1, 2018-Dec 31, 2021
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Headshot photo of Mayor Nancy Backus
Mayor Nancy Backus | Courtesy Photo, City of Auburn

The City of Auburn utilizes a Mayor/Council form of Government.  This means that the city has a Mayor, elected by the voters, who has “almost total administrative authority and a clear, wide range of political independence, with the power to appoint and dismiss department heads without council approval and little or no public input.

As per the City of Auburn website, the Mayor is “the chief executive and administrative officer of the city, in charge of all departments and employees, with authority to designate assistants and department heads.”

The Mayor’s other duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Sees that all laws and ordinances are faithfully enforced and that law and order is maintained in the city
  • Has general supervision of the administration of city government and all city interests;
  • Negotiates the terms of and/or award contracts falling within the scope of the mayor’s authority pursuant to ACC 3.10.020 (Purchasing Policy) and sees that all contracts and agreements made with the city or for its use and benefit are faithfully kept and performed;
  • Negotiates agreements to complete the acquisition of real property pursuant to ACC 3.10.020;
  • Presides over all meetings of the city council, when present, but shall have a vote only in the case of a tie in the votes of the council members;
  • Makes recommendations for council consideration and action;
  • Prepares and submit to the council a proposed budget, as required by Chapter 35A.33 RCW;
  • Has the power to veto ordinances passed by the council and submitted to the mayor as provided in RCW 35A.12.130;
  • Develops and brings to the city council for approval pilot programs that promote and encourage the city council’s goal of sustainability, seeking to balance and support the needs of the community, the environment, the economy, and the needs of future generations (As stated in Resolution No. 4368);
  • Appoints, and at their pleasure may remove, all city appointive officers, subject to the provisions of any applicable law, rule, or regulation pertaining to civil service, state law, or city ordinances;
  • Has the power to administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits and certify them;
  • Signs all conveyances made by the city and all instruments which require the city seal. (Ord. 6191 § 2, 2008; 1957 code § 1.03.050.);
  • Has general supervision over the several departments of the city government and over all its interests;
  • Has general administrative and investigative authority provided by state statutes, city ordinances and as not in conflict with state law;
  • Has authority to approve expenditures in accordance with ACC 3.10.020 and/or as otherwise provided. (Ord. 5778 § 1, 2003; 1957 code § 1.03.080.);
  • Is responsible for the coordination of the activities of the various city departments, boards and commissions to eliminate waste and duplication of efforts;
  • Is responsible for the preparation of agendas for the meetings of the council and of the various boards, commissions, and committees of the city for consideration by the council;
  • Ensures the timely publishing of notices for meetings and for public hearings for the meetings of the council and the various boards, commissions, and committees of the city, and for setting the dates and times for said public hearings, (Ord. 6532 § 1, 2014; Ord. 6405 § 1, 2012; Ord. 5761 § 1, 2003.)
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