The Iowa City board considering changes to the city’s governing documents appears set to maintain the current mayoral election system.

The Iowa City Charter Revision Commission has been reviewing the city’s governing documents for the past six months. The board, appointed by the council, is made up of nine members, many of whom have experience in Iowa City government or are prominent community figures.

How is the mayor of Iowa City elected?

The Charter Review Commission reviewed the mayoral election process at its most recent meeting on October 24.

Six of the nine board members appeared to favor the current system, which allows the seven-member city council to elect the mayor on the first day of a new council.

The commission is considering changing the mayoral selection process to a municipal election, in which residents vote on a pool of candidates. Several Charter Review commissioners said they felt the majority of the community was in favor of the current system.

Under the current system, Iowa City Council members are elected to four-year terms. Elections are held every two years, usually for four seats, then three, then four, then three, and so on.

Once a new council meets, members elect its leader during an organizational session at the beginning of the calendar year. This means that the mayor is elected by the council every two years, at the beginning of each even-numbered year. In 2024, Mayor Bruce Teague was quickly elected by a council motion and a second vote, then unanimous, by councillors.

Further: Johnson County Election Guide: What’s on the November Ballot?

Most commissioners, including two former mayors, prefer the status quo

Commissioners seemed inclined to allow the council to elect its own mayor. The group could review this ruling and choose to change its mind before recommending its final changes to the city council, an action that must occur within the next six months.

Former Iowa City Mayor and current Charter Revision Commission member Matt Hayek was in favor of the current system.

“The perspectives that I think I trust the most in terms of all the input we’ve received is the perspective of people who are familiar with City Hall,” Hayek said. “We heard from at least one former city clerk, maybe three former department heads, former city council members and a former city attorney.”

Much of the feedback from former city officials also favored the current system, Hayek said.

“I give extra weight to what they tell us because they spent many years at City Hall and understand how our system works, and I think that’s important,” Hayek said.

Commissioner Susan Craig said she felt it was important for councilors to have some experience before being elected mayor, rather than running as newcomers, hinting that a mayor should first serve on the city council or in local government.

“To tell you the truth, I never could have run for mayor without experience,” said Commission Chairman John Balmer, another former Iowa City mayor. “I think the experience was absolutely instrumental in me being a better mayor as well.”

Although unlikely, the council could, in theory, select a newly elected councilor as the city’s mayor.

Further: Vote for the Iowa City Press-Citizen Student of the Week

The opposition wants community participation

Commissioner Gerene Denning was among the group of three people who oppose the current electoral system. He said there is no problem with the way Iowa City’s mayor is elected, but he would prefer a direct election.

“I would say there are just different advantages and disadvantages,” Denning said.

Commissioner Jennifer Patel, who was the most outspoken opponent of the council’s appointment system, said problems could arise if the council elects someone who does not want to be mayor. He said the system could create pressure to “negotiate.”

Patel said requiring a mayoral election could inspire campaigns that better connect with the community.

“People don’t see how important city government is to them,” Patel said. “I think by getting someone out there and having more contact with people, they’ll start to understand how important city government is to them.”

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be contacted at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared in the Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City’s mayoral selection process appears likely to remain the same