Richland would change the way it elects leaders under a petition submitted to the city clerk on Tuesday.
A Better Richland, a volunteer group, wants to amend the city charter to replace the seven at-large city council positions with five district-based ones and two at-large seats.
The current system of choosing members led to a majority being elected from the more affluent neighborhoods of south Richland, which advocates say disenfranchises residents in other areas of town.
The proposed system would require members to live in their district or hold one of the two at-large posts. A Better Richland says it would result in a council with a broader understanding of issues affecting different areas of the city.
But first, the city is working with Benton County to determine if the petitions are valid, which requires that valid signatures for voters representing 15% of votes cast in the last general election.
The city said it will transfer the petition to the Benton County Auditor’s Office to verify the signatures but hasn’t determined when that might happen. It is working on a memorandum of understanding with the county to identify responsibilities and to determine the cost of the effort.
If the petition is valid, the proposed charter amendment would appear on the November 2025 ballot.
A Better Richland is led by long-time Richland residents, including several former city council candidates: Randy Slovic, Shir Regev and Ginger Wireman.
Volunteer effort
Dozens of volunteers collected more than 3,800 signatures in less than two months at stations scattered throughout the city, hoping to change the city charter to reform the council election system.
Once validated, the city would have the option to adopt the district-based approach or to submit the matter to voters.
Richland is the only local city that elects its entire council at-large.
The Kennewick City Council consists of four members elected from the city at large and three from districts. Pasco has one member elected at-large and six from districts.
The Richland group chose the two-and-five approach because the city can be divided into five areas with balanced populations, according to 2020 census figures.
The current council includes five council members who live in south Richland, one council member from north Richland and one from the central part of the sprawling city of just over 64,000, divided by a highway and the Yakima River.
A Better Richland proposes putting all seven Richland City Council seats up for election in 2025, which is not likely given the city’s schedule.
Council members elected under the new system would serve staggered terms.
Council manager government
Richland is governed under a council-manager system of government. The council is the city’s policy and budget setting body. It also oversees the city manager, who is responsible for day to day operations.
The Richland council selects an honorary mayor and mayor pro tem from its own ranks. Those posts are presently held by Mayor Theresa Richardson and Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Kent.
The Richland city charter includes a provision authorizing citizens to petition for change, but it is seldom used.
