A majority of the 12-member panel urged city leaders this week to switch to a council-manager government instead of the traditional council-mayor form.

"Does this diminish the role of the mayor?" said committee member Vern Keeslar. "The majority of the opinion is 'no.' "

The majority argued the council-manager form would provide greater balance of power and continuity for this growing city of 32,000 while freeing up the mayor to hobnob with legislators and act as a "goodwill ambassador."

The majority also suggested the council adopt the new form of government by ordinance.

Each of the five councilmen - as well as Mayor Howard Johnson - chose two individuals to be on the committee.

The group was assembled July 11, several months after Johnson refused to let the council vote away his powers in a council meeting.

The feud between the mayor and council cropped up shortly after Johnson took office in January and began making staff changes.

He told then-City Administrator Ed Collins he would not reappoint him and put other staffers and department heads on notice that they might not be reappointed.

Collins resigned in June.

The committee met weekly for 2 1/2 months to craft its 115-page evaluation.

The two panelists appointed by Johnson spoke out against shifting to a council-manager government by ordinance.

"The decision to change the form of government should be up to the people, not a committee or the council," Michelle Stallings said. "Leave the current form of government or allow the people to vote on a change."

Craig Laurence said changing the government without the people's say would violate the rights of city residents.

Johnson was not pleased with the majority recommendation.

"Why do you think the public isn't capable of making that change themselves?" Johnson asked. "You think they elected us to change their votes?"

City Council members were quiet during this week's presentation but, after the report, responded to allegations of handpicking committee members for their own causes.

"I did not ask them how they voted before," Councilman Johnny Barnes said. "We selected people we had faith in, with some good, God-given common sense."

Said committee Chairman Ron Smith: "We went into this very open-minded. From the beginning, we thought, 'What would be best for the citizens of Lehi?' "

No action was taken on the recommendation. The City Council now will decide whether to go forward with the proposal, but no dates have been set for action.

"You trusted us to make a recommendation," committee member Liz Dixon told the council. "We trust you to act on it."

thollingshead@sltrib.com

Types of government

* TRADITIONAL: (Lehi's current form) Six council members, including the mayor, who votes to break ties. Mayor has administrative powers and chairs the council.

* COUNCIL-MANAGER: (Recommended by committee) Five to seven council members appoint a manager, who is chief executive officer of city. Mayor is ceremonial.

* COUNCIL-MAYOR: (Salt Lake City/Provo use this) Two independent and equal branches - the mayor packs executive power and the council carries the legislative power. The mayor is the chief executive officer and controls all departments and administration. The council adopts policies and ordinances.

Source: Lehi committee report, Utah code