The Baker City Council has a fresh start as new councilors attempt to move on from a tumultuous past, according to Mayor Randy Daugherty. The previous council fell apart due to political infighting and a series of resignations, leaving the city without any governing body. However, the newly appointed councilors are determined to tackle the challenges ahead and work together to bring stability back to the city.
Mayor Daugherty, a retired business owner who previously served on the council, expressed his confidence in the direction of the council. He emphasized the importance of restoring stability after the dysfunction of the previous council. Despite being new, the councilors quickly faced their first challenge when they addressed a contentious public safety fee that had caused divisions in the past.
The public safety fee had been implemented by the previous council just before their resignations, but its implementation became a topic of debate. Interim city manager Jon France explained that while nobody liked the fee, it was necessary for revenue purposes. Mayor Daugherty joined a narrow majority in voting to suspend the fee due to its lack of clear guidelines for implementation.
Although the suspension of the fee only passed by one vote, Mayor Daugherty stated that it has not permanently divided the council. He mentioned that all councilors, including the dissenting ones, recognized the need to establish proper rules for the fee. He assured the public that the council would not become a house divided like the previous one.
The public safety fee remains a topic of discussion for the council, with plans to revisit it in January. Mayor Daugherty revealed that there is a possibility of sending the fee to the ballot for public approval. Despite significant challenges, such as a staffing shortage at the Baker Police Department, Mayor Daugherty remains optimistic about the future of the council.
Jon France, the interim city manager, is also uncertain about his future. While he is a finalist for the permanent city manager position, the council has not made a decision about whether to retain him or hire someone else. Mayor Daugherty expects the council to discuss the matter and reach a decision by the end of the year.
The new Baker City Council is determined to overcome the city’s troubled past and work together for the betterment of the community. As they tackle key issues in the coming year, their unity and dedication to addressing challenges head-on give hope for a brighter future in Baker City.
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