Update: Discussion Over Part-Time Mayor Proposal Continues

Discussions over the possibility of transitioning Cedar Falls to a part-time mayor will continue Monday.

The City's Budget Task Force has recommended moving to a part-time mayor who would oversee a full-time city administrator.

The move would come as the city of Cedar Falls seeks to cut costs to forestall a potential future budget shortfall.

However, Mayor Jon Crews has proposed an alternative plan in the form of an ordinance that would keep a full-time mayor but with an more clearly outlined role and with the creation of a city administrator position. The city already employes Richard McAlister as Administrative Services Director, and that job could be transitioned to City Administrator, among other structural changes.

Crews said his plan would be cost-neutral and would not result in savings, the purpose behind the task force's recommendation.

However, he said he feels his leadership, and the leadership of past full-time mayors, has led to initiatives that have brought great economic gain to the city.

"The mayor or any good administrator should be able to save his or her salary many times over," he said. "I think the city deserves a full time mayor. If you pay half-time you get half-time results.”

The Cedar Falls City Council committee of the whole will discuss the issue tonight during their 5:40 p.m. meeting in the Mayor's Conference Room at City Hall, 220 Clay St.

The full city council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall, but they won't be discussing the mayor position today. Find the agenda on the city's website. The meeting can be viewed on the CFU channel.

Crews said the issue could be on the city council's agenda again in two weeks.