Chamber Leader Backs City Administrator

Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dale Steenbergen says he thinks day to day decisions about city government should be made by an appointed city administrator rather than a mayor.

Steenbergen says he's concerned about a recent trend of proposed increases in fees and taxes in Cheyenne. He says a professional city administrator could increase efficiency in government , or in his words "when you're trying to find a mechanic to work on your car, you don't take a vote, you find a professional".

Steenbergen also has long been a critic of what he considers to be excessive regulation of businesses in Cheyenne, and has repeatedly said overzealous local regulation is hurting the Cheyenne economy.

Steenbergen says a proposal for a city administrator should first come before the Cheyenne City Council. If the council signs off on the proposal, the proposal would then go before voters, possibly in a special election.

Steenbergen says as he envisions it the position of Mayor of Cheyenne would be retained, but that person would be far less involved in day-to- day city decisions.

Because the mayor would have fewer duties, the mayor's salary would also probably be cut. Steenbergen says it's not likely the new form of government would take effect before 2017 at the earliest..

The city administrator would be appointed by the city council. Some critics of the proposal question whether the city council would consider public input in the appointment, or would simply use the appointment to pursue their own agenda.