The post of deputy mayor will remain after Councilman Mike Dages failed to get support to strip the position from the city budget. Dages, who has been at odds with Mayor Alan Autry, couldn't even get a second from fellow council members when he tried to eliminate the job at Thursday's budget hearings.
The move by Dages was more about building a resume for his run for mayor next year than about whether a deputy mayor is needed in Fresno. Of course, with several other council members wanting to run for mayor, it's not surprising that Dages did not get a second to his motion. This council can be petty that way
The biggest problem with the deputy mayor job is that Autry hasn't set out specific guidelines for the post. Is it a ceremonial job or does the deputy mayor act as mayor in Autry's absence? Former Deputy Mayor Roger Montero thought he was in charge of the kingdom, and bullied his way through City Hall.
But Montero left under a cloud and his replacement, Jeff Eben, so far hasn't shown how he'll use the job. But with 18 months left in Autry's term, it doesn't really matter. This administration is winding down, and don't expect much to happen under lame-duck status.
Perhaps the real reason Mr. Dages didn't get a second was because:
1. The motion was made at the last possible moment and occured during the approval of the Position Authorization Resolution which was AFTER the City Council had just adopted the FY08 budget. The timing of the motion was very unusual.
or
2. Some on the Council (including this Councilmember) feel that even if we don't totally agree with him, the Mayor should have the ability to structure his administrations office the way he feels he can best serve the people who elected him.
There was nothing "petty" about his not getting a second.