The Hollister City Council on Monday agreed in a 3-2 vote to place a question on the June 2012 ballot whether voters want to elect an at-large mayor chosen by the entire electorate.
Council members supporting the measure were Doug Emerson, Victor Gomez and Pauline Valdivia, with Robert Scattini and Ray Friend dissenting.
A majority on the board decided to ask voters in June whether they prefer the at-large mayor as opposed to the long-running system in which council members rotate in the role.
If voters approve the idea in June, the November 2012 ballot would include candidates for Hollister mayor, who would act as the fifth council member in a four-district set-up.Â
Other related decisions on the mayoral topic included setting the pay at $600 monthly, which is $200 more than the five council members currently make; along with including four year terms, no term limits and a provision that allows council members who run for mayor to return to their seats if they lose an at-large race.
