Oregon Public Broadcasting

Vancouver City Council meets Monday with new leadership at the top of the agenda. April Baer reports.

Councilman Tim Leavitt will be sworn in as Vancouver’s Mayor. He beat long-time incumbent Royce Pollard after a bruising election cycle.

Councilman Pat Campbell supported Pollard last year, but now that Leavitt’s assuming the job, he says he thinks council will be able to work productively. And he says, pressing decisions still must be made to meet the year’s dismal budget expectations.

Pat Campbell: “The city manager is basically saying we may have to have a very basic form of government, that just takes care of fire, police, water, sewer.”

In addition to budget issues, Council is likely to make decisions early this year about the Columbia Crossing bridge, between Washington and Oregon.

Also, before the month is over, sitting members will select a new council member to take Leavitt’s seat.