Mayor Steve Benjamin
/ FILE
COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Residents may soon get the chance to decide what form of city government rules over Columbia.
In an interview with WACH Fox, Columbia’ Mayor Steve Benjamin spoke on the possibility of a strong-mayorship. Currently, Columbia's weak-mayor system is driven by city council and a city manager.
Mayor Benjamin expects the issue to come up with City Council soon.
“There seems to be a renewed sense of interest among several members of Council and leaders of the community,” Benjamin said.
“I certainly support strong-mayor, but I think it is very important that I be a voice of reason making sure people understand where I stand but also recognize there are other as important voices,” he added.
City manager Steve Gantt's contract runs out in June of 2012. The earliest an election could be held is in April 2014.
Gantt told The State Newspaper he's willing to stay and help with a transition if the concept of a strong-mayor is adopted.
“I do expect we will have discussion and vote sometime in the not so distant future,” Benjamin said.
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