Letter to the Editor: City manager type of government might create better environment in Quincy

As a resident of Quincy, I am writing this letter regarding our city government. Recent problems regarding the city, such as votes by the city council and police of no confidence in the mayor, an onerous housing policy, lack of or limited health care for city employees and a recent ransomware cost of $650,000 for the city, have made the city look unprofessional. Using a city manager type of government might create a better environment for Quincy going forward. 

City managers help bridge the gap between politics and administration. Typically, they’re responsible for executing the city council’s laws, communicating other decisions and managing city staff. The mayor is the legal head of government and presides over all meetings of the city council. The city manager provides the mayor and city council with information needed to make policy, then implements the council’s policy direction.

Quincy pays its mayor $99,232 and the director of city services (assistant mayor) $101,200 for a total of $200,432. Decatur, with a population of 69,646 (Quincy pop. 39,442), pays its mayor $8,000 and its manager $200,000 for a total of $208,000.

If Quincy, about 60 percent the size of Decatur, could find a professional manager for about 60 percent of the cost of the Decatur manager and cut the mayor’s salary to $8,000, the city could save money and have more professional leadership with no political favors owed.

Paul Lange
Quincy, Illinois