VALLEY CITY, N.D. - The Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce announced that they support a "no" vote on the proposal to eliminate the city administrator position in Valley City.
The chamber's backing was announced Tuesday by Citizens for the Future, a group lobbying to keep the city's current government structure in place.
The Valley City Commission approved an Oct. 4 special election to determine whether to permanently eliminate the city administrator position.
A petition earlier this year sparked the special election after residents voiced their disappointment with Administrator Jon Cameron.
Residents also said last spring that they were upset with how much the position costs. Cameron will earn a $75,000 salary in 2011, excluding benefits.
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The chamber's statement today said "losing the position of City Administrator would adversely affect the business climate in Valley City."
Cara Kamstra, a spokesperson for Citizens for the Future, the group leading the campaign to urge a "no" vote welcomed the chamber's position.
"The Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce has been a leading force for growth and progress in our community," Kamstra said. "To have their support in this effort is gratifying."
A separate petition effort is also under way to recall the mayor and three Valley City commissioners.
Mayor Bob Werkhoven and Commissioners Kenny Evenson, George Dutton and Jon Wagar are the target of that petition.
Last week, Cameron withdrew as one of three finalists for the city manager job in Sturgis, S.D.
