May Hays

1) Should West Richland adopt a “City Manager” form of government, or retain the “Strong Mayor” form of government that we currently have? Please explain your rationale.

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Rationale for City Manager Form of Government:
My foremost priority is to transition from the current Strong Mayor form of government to a City Manager (Council-Manager) structure. While the Strong Mayor system effectively serves cities with populations under 10,000 to 12,000 residents, West Richland now approaches 20,000 citizens and continues to grow. At this size, concentrating authority in one single individual is no longer conducive to sustainable development.
Adopting a City Manager (Council-Manager) form of government allows City Council members to genuinely represent the citizens. This shift fosters a collaborative team environment that includes citizens, council members, and the City Manager, ensuring more effective leadership and responsiveness to the community’s needs.
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2) The West Richland Mayor currently has sole discretion over hiring and salary decisions for City Staff.  Should that continue or should hiring and salary decisions require concurrence with the City Council? 

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The concentration of hiring and salary decisions in the hands of a single individual is neither equitable nor conducive to a healthy organizational environment. Such an arrangement risks the misuse of power, allowing for favoritism to override objective evaluations of employee performance. The principal concern is the absence of transparency and accountability to both the City Council and the citizens. Hiring decisions for Director positions should require the approval of City Council in order to maintain transparency and accountability.

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3) Should there be a succession plan for key city staff positions? 

 

Succession Planning for Key Staff Positions
Importance of Succession Plans
•  It is essential for every employee to have a clearly defined succession plan.
•  Each plan should outline specific goals, a detailed roadmap for success, and ensure open communication channels between employees, the City Council-Manager, and citizens.
Role of City Council in Succession and Compensation
• The City Council must have a significant role in decisions regarding the hiring of senior management, approval of pay raises, benefits, and payroll.
• Currently, West Richland compares salaries to larger cities such as Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland. This practice can place an undue burden on the City budget and may result in inadequate staffing levels.
Management Involvement and Positive Work Environment
• City directors and managers must actively participate in the succession planning process for their teams.
• Fostering a positive work environment for employees leads to improved service for citizens.

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4) What are your favorite aspects of West Richland and what do you think draws people to our City?  Alternatively, what are your leading concerns? 

 

Favorite Aspects and Leading Concerns in West Richland
Favorite Aspects of West Richland
A sense of hometown familiarity and warmth defines West Richland, creating an inviting atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. West Richland parks stand out as cherished spaces, offering opportunities for families and sports enthusiasts to gather, connect, and enjoy recreational activities. Furthermore, the strong emphasis on public safety contributes significantly to the overall quality of life, fostering trust and peace of mind within the community.
Leading Concerns
Despite these positive qualities, there are notable concerns regarding transparency and accountability among leadership, including the Mayor and senior staff. While citizens have the opportunity to participate in boards and commissions, their ability to influence meaningful change within West Richland remains limited, indicating a need for greater civic engagement and responsiveness.

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5) How should current and future City Park development and maintenance be funded?  Should the City establish a Parks & Recreation department or contract for private companies to provide those services? Should future neighborhood parks be maintained through HOA funding? 

 

Funding and Management of City Park Development and Maintenance
To ensure the ongoing development and upkeep of city parks, a mixed funding approach utilizing both city budgets and Homeowners Associations (HOAs) should be considered. Building upon the success of existing parks and supporting future improvement plans will require collaborative efforts from the entire community. Engaged participation and shared responsibility are key to sustaining and enhancing these valued recreational spaces.​​

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6) How would you improve communication between the City Council and citizens? Should more time be given for people to speak at City Council meetings? Should there be more open workshops for citizens to attend? Other suggestions? 

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Improving Communication Between City Council and Citizens
•    Honesty and Transparency: Building trust requires open, honest communication and transparency in all City Council proceedings and decisions.
•    Accountability: Ensuring city leaders are accountable encourages greater public confidence and responsiveness to community needs.
•    Active Citizen Engagement: Citizens should feel welcome and free to communicate directly with City Council members, fostering a sense of shared involvement.
•    Increased Opportunity for Public Input: Providing more time for citizen remarks during council meetings creates space for diverse perspectives and concerns to be heard.
•    Open Workshops: Organizing additional workshops offers citizens more opportunities to participate, collaborate, and stay informed about city issues.
•    Collaborative Approach: Emphasizing open collaboration on city matters helps ensure that solutions reflect the collective input and interests of the community.​​

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7) What is your position on allowing adult-only businesses such as adult entertainment, casinos, etc. within City limits? 

 

Position on Adult-Only Businesses Within City Limits
•    Community Values: Maintaining a family-oriented environment is essential to the character of West Richland. Allowing adult-only businesses such as adult entertainment venues or casinos would detract from these shared values.
•    Preserving Community Strength: Upholding strong community standards helps ensure that West Richland remains a welcoming and supportive place for families.
•    Recommendation: Adult-only businesses should not be permitted within city limits in order to protect the integrity and values of the community.​​​

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8) What is your position on permitting firework sales and use within West Richland city limits?  Should Municipal Code Section 8.22;  “Fireworks” and Section 9.38; “Noise Regulation” be amended to be consistent? 

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Position on Firework Sales and Use Within City Limits
Community Collaboration and Safety
As mayor, my approach would be to work closely with both City Council members and West Richland residents to develop solutions that best serve our community’s needs. Through collaboration, we can uphold safety for residents while still supporting the tradition of fireworks celebrations.
Consistency in City Codes
It is important that all city codes, including Section 8.22 "Fireworks" and Section 9.38 "Noise Regulation," are consistent and clear. This ensures fairness and prevents unnecessary burdens on citizens and businesses within West Richland.​​

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9) What can City government do to improve transparency with the public when it comes to spending and other critical City decisions?  

 

Enhancing Transparency in City Government can be achieved by utilizing the City website and social media platforms to “get the word out” for important issues. 
Restoring Trust and Accountability
Over the past eight years, there has been a need for a renewed commitment to transparency, honesty, and accountability. By coming together as a community, we can ensure that the voice of the people is truly heard. By using data from the spring 2025 survey, for example, the survey can guide priorities based on resident input.
Changing the Approach
Adopting new principles for city government—including honesty, total transparency, accountability, and integrity—will help inspire confidence in leadership. These values should guide every decision and action, ensuring that public trust is rebuilt and that the city government operates with the best interests of the community at heart.

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10) What can be done to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse of our City tax dollars?  

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To ensure responsible stewardship of public funds, it is crucial to thoroughly reevaluate the city’s current spending practices. I believe that waste, fraud, and abuse exist within the management of city tax dollars and addressing these issues should be a top priority. Implementing significant changes to our systems is necessary to restore efficiency and public trust.
Community involvement is vital in this journey of “clean-up.” By actively engaging residents in the process, we can work together to identify and resolve areas of concern. I am committed to supporting our seniors, veterans, parks, first responders, and the entire city.
Together, we can make meaningful progress—your voice matters. By standing united, we can create positive change and ensure that every tax dollar is used wisely. Voting and active participation are essential to this effort.