SUNNYSIDE, Wash.-The Sunnyside City Council passed a no confidence vote for Mayor Dean Broersma on Aug. 26 following budget concerns and reports of a potential $4 million budget deficit.
Councilmember Vicky Frausto put forth the resolution for a vote of no confidence after the budget situation and $4 million shortfall came to light on Aug. 24 after an investigation initiated by new Sunnyside City Manager Mike Gonzalez.
The council passed the symbolic no confidence vote by a 4-3 margin.
According to Councilmember Frausto, she decided to put forth the resolution after comments by Mayor Broersma on Aug. 24 that didn’t sit right with her concerning the budget situation, including “we chose to kick the can down the road because we knew the council was gonna come in and was gonna deal with this mess.”
Councilmember Frausto found those comments troubling and “a malpractice of leadership,” according to a recording of the council meeting.
The resolution for a vote of no confidence called for Mayor Broersma’s immediate removal from office due to the recent financial report exposing the $4 million budget deficit due to overspending, unaccounted expenses and improper budgeting.
According to Councilmember Frausto, the budget deficit impacted the city’s ability to fund critical services, jeopardized future projects and created a significant burden on the community.
The resolution for a vote of no confidence called for the immediate removal of Mayor Broersma, called on the council to select a new Mayor to get the city through the budget crisis and called for measures to address the budget crisis, according to the recording of the council meeting.
